The ongoing saga of the “paper launch” carries on. Nvidia’s RTX 5070 Ti is scheduled to debut in just a few days, but its actual availability remains uncertain. While this GPU has the potential to compete with some of the top graphics cards currently on the market, reports suggest that securing one may prove to be a challenge, following in the footsteps of the RTX 5090 and RTX 5080.
It looks like my concerns are about to materialize—if a recent leak is to be trusted, the RTX 5070 Ti may end up being a mere figure on paper rather than a product you can actually buy. According to Channel Gate, expectations regarding pricing and stock for the RTX 5070 Ti paint a rather bleak picture.
Sources closely linked to the supply chain indicate that demand for the RTX 5070 Ti is projected to surpass what Nvidia’s partners can supply. This has been a consistent issue with the other models in the RTX 50 series, which have frequently sold out within minutes of their launch and remain scarce outside of pricey prebuilt systems. There are reports suggesting the RTX 5090 may not be restocked until June, and the RTX 5080 is likely to follow a similar timeline.
Reports suggest that while the RTX 5070 Ti might appear in stores, it is likely to come with steep price tags. Channel Gate anticipates the RTX 5070 Ti could be significantly more expensive than the RTX 5080, with prices possibly reaching as high as $1,100.
Some retailers in the U.S. have already listed the card, with VideoCardz reporting prices between $750 and $1,009 for the RTX 5070 Ti. Most models are priced at $900 or higher—$150 above the suggested retail price (MSRP). Best Buy currently offers several Asus models, starting at $900 for the least expensive option.
Given the limited supply forecasted, there’s little reason to expect these prices will decline anytime soon. The RTX 5080 is largely unavailable across most retailers, and when it does appear, it’s often at prices well above MSRP. The RTX 5070 Ti may likely face a similar scenario with constrained stock and elevated prices.
Gamers looking to upgrade should consider waiting rather than succumbing to inflated prices from scalpers or spending an extra $250 at legitimate retailers. While there may be a potential for prices to normalize over time, significant improvements in the situation may not happen for a few more months. Speculation indicates that stock levels might stabilize by April, so if you can hold off on your purchase, it might be wise to wait, especially as even the RTX 4070 Ti Super is priced higher than expected due to the current “paper launch” atmosphere of the new generation.
