Nvidia RTX 5080 Repeats Past Generation’s Mistakes

The arrival of Nvidia’s RTX 5080 is just around the corner, with various retailers beginning to unveil early listings, revealing its actual pricing. Set to debut with a suggested retail price (MSRP) of $999, this GPU aims to contend with some of the leading graphics cards on the market. However, it seems poised to repeat a previous mistake that contributed to the initial lackluster reception of the RTX 4080.

Both the RTX 5090 and the RTX 5080 will be available for purchase this Thursday, January 30. While the RTX 5090 commands a steep price of $2,000, the RTX 5080 appears more accessible at $999. Nevertheless, that price point is likely only applicable to Nvidia’s Founders Edition cards, according to recent listings from Best Buy that have since been removed. The source VideoCardz caught a glimpse of Gigabyte’s plans for the RTX 5080, shedding light on what consumers can expect.

The RTX 5080 pricing spectrum spans from $999 for the compact Gigabyte Windforce OC model to around $1,400 for the Xtreme Waterforce model, which comes with integrated liquid cooling. Among the eight variants listed, including the Founders Edition, only two fell at the MSRP. The subsequent option jumps to $1,200, which mirrors the introductory cost of the RTX 4080.

This price disparity is likely to impact the perceived value of the RTX 5080. If acquiring it at MSRP proves challenging, the situation could resemble that of the RTX 4080, where consumer sentiment dictated that the price was excessive compared to the performance offered. Over time, market adjustments resulted in the RTX 4080 being commonly available below its MSRP, and Nvidia later rectified its mistake by introducing the RTX 4080 Super at the more appealing price of $999.

However, the suggested price holds little significance if Nvidia’s partners decide to mark it up by an additional $400. There are whispers suggesting that Nvidia may be selling these GPUs to its add-in board (AIB) partners at prices close to the MSRP, forcing them to increase retail prices to maintain profitability. While this remains unverified, skepticism is warranted. Furthermore, reports indicate that the cards may be available in limited quantities, raising concerns that scalpers could purchase them en masse before regular consumers get the chance.

The RTX 5080 does have one potential advantage compared to its predecessor — gamers might not have many alternatives in this performance tier. The RTX 5090 is significantly pricier, and current listings indicate that the RTX 4090 exceeds $2,700. Additionally, AMD’s RDNA 4 lineup currently lacks a competitor that could rival the RTX 5080, leaving consumers with the choice of either the RTX 5080 or the lower-tier RTX 5070 Ti priced at $750.