The global graphics card market is once again facing uncertainty as new warnings emerge from one of the industry’s well-known board partners. After years of shortages, price spikes and unpredictable launches, PC gamers had hoped for stability in 2026. However, fresh signals suggest that another turbulent phase may be approaching.
Zotac Korea has issued a cautionary notice to customers, hinting at declining availability of both GPUs and memory components. The announcement has sparked concern across the gaming and hardware community, especially among users planning upgrades or new PC builds in the coming months.
With supply pressures mounting and production costs rising sharply, the message is clear: graphics cards may become harder to find and significantly more expensive, reshaping the market landscape once again.
Zotac Issues Warning On GPU And Memory Supply
Zotac Korea revealed that memory supply is expected to fall short in the near future. According to the company, the availability of essential components will not be sufficient to meet market demand.
Alongside memory constraints, GPU shipments are also expected to decline. This combination creates a double bottleneck, directly affecting graphics card manufacturing and retail availability.
The company cautioned that several GPU models may remain unavailable for extended periods, leaving buyers with limited choices.
Nvidia GPU Supply Cuts Add To Market Pressure
The warning aligns with growing speculation that Nvidia plans to scale back GPU supply in early 2026. While earlier statements referred to supply as constrained, recent developments suggest the situation may be more severe.
Reduced shipments mean fewer graphics cards reaching board partners, distributors and retailers worldwide.
As supply tightens further, pricing pressure is expected to increase across both mid-range and high-end segments.
Rumors Of Discontinued Nvidia GPU Models
Recent industry chatter indicates that several Nvidia graphics card models may be effectively discontinued. Zotac’s announcement appears to reinforce this possibility.
If accurate, models such as the RTX 5060, RTX 5060 16GB and RTX 5070 Ti could face sharply limited availability.
At the same time, certain higher-priority models may receive preferential supply, creating uneven stock distribution across product tiers.
Reward Points Reduced To Offset Rising Costs
In an effort to control final retail pricing, Zotac confirmed that reward points for new GPU purchases have been reduced to 0 percent.
The company explained that this step is meant to redirect resources toward cost control rather than promotional incentives.
While this move may help slightly stabilize prices, it also highlights how severe current cost pressures have become.
Supply Chain Stability Limited To Older GPUs
Zotac suggested that maintaining stable production may only be feasible for GPUs manufactured using Samsung’s processes.
This primarily affects remaining RTX 30-series models, which still rely on older fabrication pipelines.
Newer GPU generations, however, face far greater uncertainty due to rising silicon and manufacturing expenses.
Silicon Costs Surge To Unsustainable Levels
According to Zotac, the cost of silicon supplied to board partners has surged dramatically.
These increases have reached levels that many manufacturers consider unsustainable over the long term.
As a result, companies may be forced to limit production volumes or pass costs directly to consumers.
Graphics Card Shortages May Worsen In 2026
Zotac’s outlook suggests that several graphics card models could disappear from retail shelves for long stretches.
Limited supply combined with strong demand could recreate conditions similar to previous GPU shortages.
This scenario raises concerns about accessibility for mainstream gamers.
GPU Prices Already Climbing Rapidly
Price increases are already being observed across the market. Baseline prices for flagship GPUs have risen sharply.
Reports indicate that the RTX 5090 has seen price increases exceeding 55 percent compared to early listings.
With further supply reductions expected, additional price hikes appear increasingly likely.
Memory And Storage Costs Add Extra Pressure
The GPU situation is being compounded by rising prices for memory and SSD components.
Higher DRAM and NAND costs directly affect overall system build expenses.
For consumers, this means that entire PC upgrades may become significantly more expensive in 2026.
Impact On PC Gamers And System Builders
For PC gamers, the outlook is concerning. Limited availability may force buyers to delay upgrades or settle for alternative models.
System integrators may also struggle to maintain stable pricing on prebuilt PCs.
The ripple effect could slow growth across the broader gaming hardware ecosystem.
AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT Emerges As An Alternative
Amid growing shortages, the Radeon RX 9070 XT is being positioned as a readily available alternative.
Equipped with 16GB of high-speed VRAM and based on AMD’s RDNA 4 architecture, the card targets high-end gaming performance.
Its consistent availability makes it attractive for buyers unwilling to face long waiting periods.
Performance And Efficiency Focus
The RX 9070 XT emphasizes strong gaming efficiency alongside modern feature support.
This balance allows it to compete effectively in demanding gaming scenarios.
For many users, reliability and availability may outweigh marginal performance differences.
Market Shift Toward Alternatives
If Nvidia shortages persist, a noticeable shift toward alternative GPU brands could occur.
Buyers may prioritize availability and price stability over brand loyalty.
This shift could reshape competitive dynamics within the graphics card industry.
What This Means For The GPU Industry
Zotac’s warning highlights structural challenges facing graphics card manufacturers.
Rising production costs, limited wafer supply and complex logistics are placing unprecedented strain on the ecosystem.
Manufacturers may need to rethink product strategies to survive prolonged instability.
What Buyers Should Expect Going Forward
Consumers should prepare for tighter supply, higher prices and reduced promotional offers.
Planning purchases early may become increasingly important.
Waiting for ideal pricing conditions could prove difficult throughout the year.
Conclusion
Zotac’s message paints a sobering picture of the GPU market heading into 2026.
With declining availability, rising silicon costs and shrinking supply pipelines, graphics card manufacturers face mounting challenges.
For gamers and PC enthusiasts alike, the coming months may demand patience, flexibility and careful buying decisions.
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