GPU prices are out of control again
Every so often, Central Computers - one of the last remaining dedicated Silicon Valley computer stores - lets subscribers know it's managed to obtain a small shipment of AMD graphics cards. Today, it informed me that I could now purchase a $600 Radeon RX 9070 XT for $850 - a $250 markup. It's not alone. […]


Every so often, Central Computers - one of the last remaining dedicated Silicon Valley computer stores - lets subscribers know it's managed to obtain a small shipment of AMD graphics cards. Today, it informed me that I could now purchase a $600 Radeon RX 9070 XT for $850 - a $250 markup.
It's not alone. I just checked every major US retailer and street prices on eBay, and I regret to inform you: the great GPU shortage has returned. Many AMD cards are being marked up $100, $200, $250, even $280. The street price of an Nvidia RTX 5080 is now over $1,500, a full $500 higher than MSRP. And an RTX 5090, the most powerful consumer GPU? You can't even get the $2,000 card for $3,000 today.
Here, I've built tables to show you:
Item MSRP Average eBay street price (Mar-Apr) Best retail price (April 25th) AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT $599 $957 $880 AMD Radeon RX 9070 $549 $761 $835 Nvidia RTX 5090 $1,999 $3,871 $3,140 Nvidia RTX 5080 $999 $1,533 $1,390 Nvidia RTX 5070 Ti $749 $1,052 $825 Nvidia RTX 5070 $549 $715 $610
You shouldn't just blame tariffs for these price hikes. In early March, we found retailers were already …