GPU Prices Go Crazy in January 2024 – RTX 4000 Super Cards Launch

GPU prices in January 2024 have gone absolutely insane, according to tech YouTuber Jason from the PC Builder channel. In his latest video, Jason provides an overview of the GPU market in early 2024 and recommendations for the best graphics card for gaming at various budget levels.

Overview of the GPU Market in Early 2024

There are several notable developments driving the current craziness in GPU prices:

• Launch of RTX 4000 Super cards – Nvidia has released upgraded “Super” variants of its RTX 4000 series GPUs, pushing high-end performance even further. However, these new flagship models are extremely expensive.
• New GPUs launching from AMD – AMD is also releasing new Radeon graphics cards to compete with Nvidia’s offerings. More product launches create hype and drive up prices.
• Price cuts from AMD – While launching new GPUs, AMD has cut prices on existing models to clear inventory. This makes AMD GPUs more competitive value.
• Potential price cuts from Nvidia/Intel – It’s unknown if Nvidia and Intel will also drop prices to contend with AMD’s price cuts. Most are skeptical Nvidia will lower prices.

Best GPU for Gaming at Every Budget

Jason provides recommendations for the best graphics card for gaming at various price points and resolutions:

1080p Gaming

• Budget (under $150) – Used RX 580 8GB / GTX 1060 6GB
• $150 to $200 – RX 6500 XT 4GB / RTX 3050 8GB
• $200 to $300 – RX 6600 8GB
• $300 to $400 – RTX 3060 12GB

1440p Gaming

• Budget (under $300) – RX 6700 XT 12GB
• $300 to $500 – RTX 3070 Ti 8GB / RX 7700 XT 12GB
• $500+ – RTX 3080 12GB / RTX 4070 16GB

4K Gaming

• Budget (under $500) – RTX 3080 10GB
• $500 to $800 – RTX 3090 24GB / RTX 4080 16GB
• $800+ – RTX 4090 24GB

Analysis and Predictions

Jason provides some further analysis on the state of the GPU market:

• Almost no one is buying the newly launched RTX 4070 Super at its very high $799 starting price. It offers minor improvements over the $499 RTX 4070.
• AMD GPUs like the RX 7700 XT are a much better value than Nvidia’s offerings. More price cuts from AMD are likely.
• Intel has fallen behind substantially in the discrete GPU market. Their Arc series has failed to gain traction so far.

In summary, 2024 is off to a wild start in the world of PC gaming hardware. While the high-end RTX 4000 Super cards cater to enthusiasts, more affordable GPUs in the mid-range continue to offer the best price/performance ratio for most gamers. AMD is competitive again with their latest Radeon graphics cards, so the dominance of Nvidia’s GeForce RTX series has been challenged.