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| The PowerColor Hellhound RX 9070 XT could end up going for above $700 in a few months. |
For months, the tech world has watched with apprehension as memory pricing trends turned sharply upward. Industry analysts long warned that desktop gaming GPUs, particularly in the budget and mid-range segments, would be the next domino to fall. Now, those predictions appear to be materializing, with mounting evidence suggesting AMD’s upcoming RDNA 4 lineup is facing a significant price revision before it even hits widespread shelves.
The $10-per-8GB Rule: A Direct Hit from Memory Inflation
The core of the issue stems from the rising cost of GDDR memory. Recent reports from multiple tech leakers and industry sources suggest that AMD will implement a straightforward but impactful pricing strategy: a $10 increase for every 8GB of VRAM on a card.
If this holds true, the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices (MSRPs) for the anticipated RDNA 4 series would see the following adjustments:
- RX 9060 XT 8 GB: $309 (a $10 increase)
- RX 9060 XT 16 GB: $360 (a $20 increase)
- RX 9070 non-XT 16 GB: $569 (a $20 increase)
- RX 9070 XT 16 GB: $619 (a $20 increase)
On the surface, these increases seem modest, almost a necessary adjustment in line with broader component costs. However, trusted leaker Moore’s Law Is Dead (MLID) warns that the reality for consumers at checkout will be far starker than these updated MSRPs imply.
From MSRP to Market Price: The Real-World Sticker Shock
According to MLID’s latest sources, the situation is more severe. Retailers have allegedly already begun updating their back-end pricing systems, and the outlook is grim. The leak suggests that RDNA 4 cards will quickly retreat to the scalper-level prices seen in early 2025, when stock was severely constrained.
Here’s what MLID now expects actual retail prices to approach after the memory cost surge:
- RX 9060 XT 8 GB: Close to or above $350
- RX 9060 XT 16 GB: Above $400
- RX 9070: Above $650
- RX 9070 XT: Somewhere between $700 to $800
This potential jump transforms the narrative. An RX 9070 XT, with a theoretical MSRP of $619, could end up costing a consumer over $800—a near 30% premium that fundamentally changes its value proposition.
"The memory market is incredibly tight right now. What we're seeing isn't just a minor adjustment; it's a fundamental cost pressure that will be passed down the chain. Gamers looking for a deal need to act fast." — Industry analyst comment.
For a deeper breakdown of the memory market dynamics, this analysis provides excellent context:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g38VR-GJp7o
A Narrowing Window for GPU Shoppers
This looming price hike creates a paradoxical buying opportunity. Current MSRPs for RDNA 4 cards, already in limited circulation, now look like relative bargains. If you have been considering an AMD Radeon upgrade and can find current pricing, the time to buy may be now, before the wider wave of increased costs hits retail shelves.
https://pixabay.com/photos/coin-growth-money-success-5099760/
What About NVIDIA?
The report is notably silent on NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 50-series plans. While it is a near certainty that Team Green will also pass on the increased cost of GDDR7 memory to consumers, the magnitude of their adjustment remains a mystery. All eyes will be on how NVIDIA prices its upcoming RTX 5070 and other models, which could either compound the industry's pricing pain or, in a competitive twist, attempt to undercut AMD's positioned costs.
The Bottom Line for Gamers
The era of predictable, stable GPU pricing post-shortage may be hitting a new speed bump. Rising memory costs are applying direct pressure, and AMD's RDNA 4 lineup appears to be the first major casualty. For performance-minded builders on a budget, this news underscores the importance of acting quickly on current deals or preparing to recalibrate expectations for what a "mid-range" graphics card will cost in the coming months.
Check current pricing and availability for AMD's latest cards: