GPU Prices Up 35% in 3 Months: RTX 5080 Hits ₹2.1 Lakh in India

Graphics card prices have jumped again. Hardware Unboxed's October survey of ten countries, reported by VideoCardz, found that the cheapest in-stock GPUs rose about 10% in a single month and roughly 35% in three months. In India, the cheapest RTX 5080 in the survey now sits at ₹2,10,000, up from ₹1,65,500 in September and ₹1,45,000 in February. Here is what the numbers say, why it is happening and what Indian buyers can do.

GPU price rise in October 2026: quick summary

• Monthly rise: about 10% in October (11% with the RTX 5090 included), after 7% in September and 15% in August.
• Three-month total: roughly 35% higher than three months ago, per VideoCardz's write-up of the Hardware Unboxed data.
• Versus launch prices: the survey puts average prices about 44% above MSRP, excluding the RTX 5090.
• India: RTX 5080 at ₹2,10,000 (+27% on September), RTX 5090 at ₹8,40,000 (+34%), RX 9060 XT 16GB at ₹65,500 (+21%).
• Outlook: a Nikkei Asia report says PCB shortages tied to AI servers could last until 2030.

How much have GPU prices gone up in India?

The survey tracks the cheapest model in stock in each market, so it shows the "entry price" for a card rather than what every shop charges. For India the chart lists these figures:

Two things stand out. First, the RTX 5090 now costs more than double its February price in the survey. Second, the budget-friendly 8GB RX 9060 XT held steady in India this month, while the 16GB version did not. If you were eyeing a 16GB card for future games, that extra memory now carries a steep premium.

Why are graphics card prices rising?

No single official explanation exists, and VideoCardz notes that nobody has given one for the RTX 5080 spike. But the supply picture is getting worse. Tom's Hardware, citing Nikkei Asia, reports that AI-server demand is soaking up printed circuit board capacity. An executive from a US PC maker told Nikkei that some PCB orders placed today may not be fulfilled until late 2028, and Taiwanese PC makers say the price of copper-clad laminates has risen about 12 times since July.

On top of that, TechPowerUp reported earlier this month that NVIDIA is reportedly ending the RTX 5090 and reserving its GB202 silicon for workstation cards. That is a report, not an NVIDIA announcement, so treat it as unconfirmed. AMD was also said to be planning a 10% price hike across GPUs in September, according to TechPowerUp. Put together, shoppers are facing tight supply on several fronts at once.

What are RTX 5080 prices like in the US and Europe?

The pain is global. In the Hardware Unboxed survey the cheapest US RTX 5080 rose from $1,580 to $2,200, a 39% jump, and Germany went from €1,500 to €2,100. The RTX 5090 hit $9,400 in the US, up from $6,890 in September. Separately, VideoCardz checked US retailers on October 28 and found the lowest verified in-stock RTX 5080 at $1,979.99, with two such listings available only for in-store pickup at Micro Center. Nvidia launched the card at $999 in January 2025.

Radeon cards are catching up fast too. The survey reports a 17% global rise for the RX 9060 XT 16GB, 12% for the RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT, and about 10% for Intel's Arc B580. Hardware Unboxed also noted that, excluding the RTX 5090, Radeon prices climbed faster than GeForce prices this month.

Should you buy a graphics card now or wait?

This part is our view, not a sourced fact. The data shows three straight monthly increases and no sign of relief, and Hardware Unboxed's closing message, as VideoCardz put it, was that there is "no light in the tunnel". VideoCardz also suggested this year's Black Friday deals could be among the weakest in memory. If your current card still runs your games, waiting is a gamble in either direction. If it does not, buying sooner has been the cheaper choice in each of the last three months.

• Check what you actually play. Many esports and free-to-play games run fine on mid-range cards, so a flagship may not be needed. Our Phantom Blade Zero PC requirements guide shows how demanding a new release can be.
• Compare 8GB and 16GB honestly. In India the 8GB RX 9060 XT is the one that did not rise this month.
• Consider a laptop. Gaming laptops carry their own pricing, and new designs such as the ones in our NVIDIA RTX Spark laptops story are worth comparing.
• Watch for scams. Prices this high attract fake listings, so buy from authorised sellers with a proper invoice and warranty.

What this means for gamers and PC builders

For anyone building a PC in India, the GPU is now a much bigger share of the budget than a year ago. Mid-range builds may feel the squeeze less than flagship ones, but the trend is moving every tier up. We will keep tracking GPU prices in India as the next monthly survey lands.

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