GeForce Now hourly caps make cloud gaming a less enticing alternative to high DDR5 RAM prices

With GPU and DDR5 RAM prices stretching budgets, cloud gaming seems more appealing. Unfortunately, a popular streaming service for PC users is introducing limits to all subscribers. Nvidia GeForce Now will implement a 100-hour monthly cap for all members starting in January. A new analysis shows why dedicated gamers may consider cancelling their subscriptions.

Customers learned about the GeForce Now restrictions in November 2024. They affected new subscribers starting in 2025, but loyal supporters were given a grace period. That will change on January 1st, which prompted Redditor appleroyales to study the implications. The chart also compares the costs of building a gaming PC or buying a console.

After 100 hours, $9.99 per-month Performance tier subscribers will have to spend $2.99 for an additional 15-hour block. Meanwhile, gamers who pay $19.99 every 30 days for the Ultimate tier must fork over another $5.99. Cloud gaming users who play for only a few hours a day won’t find better value in owning a gaming rig with RTX 4090, a PS5 Pro, or, likely, a Steam Machine.

Will hardcore gamers abandon GeForce Now?

Where the breakdown becomes more intriguing is when considering more serious gamers. Ultimate members who devote 6 hours a day to the service incur higher penalties. After a year, they would spend more on subscriptions than on a discounted $650 PS5 Pro. Once 5 years have expired, players could have assembled a high-end gaming PC for around $3500.

For subscribers fortunate enough to have 16 hours of free time daily, GeForce Now quickly loses its luster. Nevertheless, there are many variables besides DDR5 RAM prices to consider. Some enthusiasts worry that rising costs for storage, GPUs, and other parts will make owning a desktop or laptop less realistic.

Because GeForce Now boasts better performance than alternatives like Xbox Cloud Gaming, loyalists likely will stand pat. Still, these gamers fear that Nvidia will raise rates or repeatedly reduce monthly hourly caps.