Nvidia GPUs like RTX 5090 may become scarce, as memory shortage leaves German seller scrambling

With the memory shortage the culprit, cracks in the graphics card supply chain are surfacing. The latest warning signs come from a German retailer that can no longer purchase many Nvidia GPUs. On Reddit, Gb2753 describes how a distributor is enforcing limits on the RTX 5070. More critically, higher-end RTX 50 series cards aren’t available at all.

The supplier for the parts seller shared an email with the bad news. Due to difficult market conditions, Gb2753 can order only five RTX 5070 GPUs at a time. Meanwhile, the retailer will have to find another source for the RTX 5070 Ti, RTX 5080, and RTX 5090. Amazon Business is also struggling to provide a steady stream of Blackwell cards to shops.

Showing the severity of the situation, the distributor has cancelled existing orders. Only the €20,000 spent on RTX 5070 GPUs is safe for now. Even if other sellers find stock, it’s likely that they will pay considerably higher prices. A recent rumor suggested that some RTX 5090 models could reach the $5,000 mark in the U.S.

Buyers are seeing retailers in other countries, like Japan, restricting purchases of the RTX 50 series. As AI data centers strain DRAM supplies, cheaper targets with 16GB of GDDR7 RAM are especially at risk. Major manufacturers, including SK Hynix, are no longer prioritizing modules for consumer-grade products.

Nvidia has become less consumer-oriented

Nvidia also appears to be shifting its focus to AI chips, at the expense of gamers. A recent report revealed that the company could reduce Blackwell graphics card production by up to 40% in early 2026. Adding to the problem, it may have started shipping GPU dies to partners without VRAM attached.

Facing frightening memory prices, gamers are finding it difficult to complete PC builds. DDR5 RAM was initially the focus of their frustration, but storage costs are rising as well. Before the AI boom, mid-range and high-end graphics cards were the most expensive components. If more distributors cut off GPU supplies, the crisis will become even more dire.