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Nvidia Pauses 2026 Gaming GPU Releases as Memory Crunch Forces RTX 50 Production Cuts

AI‑driven DRAM scarcity is pushing Nvidia to prioritize data‑center chips over consumer graphics supply.

Overview

  • Nvidia has no plans to launch a new consumer gaming GPU in 2026, according to The Information, breaking a decades‑long annual release pattern.
  • The company is reportedly slashing output of current RTX 50‑series cards as limited memory is redirected to higher‑margin AI products.
  • Retailers are already seeing higher street prices and tighter availability for RTX 50 models, with midrange cards proving especially hard to find at MSRP.
  • Mass production of the next‑generation RTX 60 “Rubin” gaming GPUs is reportedly pushed back toward the end of 2027.
  • The DRAM shortage is being intensified by suppliers favoring AI contracts, and the strain is spilling over to the wider PC and console ecosystem, with Valve delaying a forthcoming device and Nintendo and Sony flagging memory cost pressures.