Framework blames OpenAI for eye-watering RTX 5070 12 GB graphics module price

One of the biggest critiques of the RTX 5070 laptop GPU when it debuted was the 8 GB of VRAM. Nvidia has finally corrected this mistake, as the mobile RTX 5070 is now available with 12 GB of VRAM. However, this move couldn’t have come at a worse time, as, like all consumer RAM, GDDR memory has also gotten expensive due to persistent memory shortages. The extra pricing burden of the 4 GB extra GDDR7 in the RTX 5070 12 GB is perfectly shown by Framework’s price of the RTX 5070 12 GB module.

Framework’s RTX 5070 12 GB module costs $1,199, $500 more than the 8 GB RTX 5070 module. This is an absurd price markup for just 4 GB extra VRAM. But Framework’s hands appear to be tied here.

Replying to TechPowerUp’s post about Framework’s RTX 5070 12 module costing 70% more for 50% more VRAM, Framework points the finger squarely at OpenAI.

While Framework’s mention of OpenAI as the reason behind the eye-watering price may be tongue-in-cheek, OpenAI is widely considered to be one of the primary initiators of the global RAM shortage. Many see OpenAI’s intent to corner 40% of the global memory supply as the move that kick-started the global memory shortage.

Ironically, OpenAI has now backed out of buying these deals as the company’s Stargate AI datacenter plans came to a halt. But, memory pricing continues to be inflated, and it is unlikely that consumers will see a meaningful relief anytime soon.

Gaming laptops featuring the RTX 5070 12 GB mobile GPU are set to start shipping in the next few months. So, we’ll be able to put Framework’s price of the RTX 5070 12 GB module in context once we see how OEMs like Dell, Lenovo, etc, price their gaming laptops with the same GPU.

Sadly, it is likely that gaming laptops with the RTX 5070 12 GB will cost close to the price of the RTX 5070 Ti-powered notebooks. So, if you were waiting for the RTX 5070 12 GB laptop GPU, it might be a good idea to spend the money and get a gaming laptop with an RTX 5070 Ti, which has the same VRAM size but is more than 20% faster.