Several German outlets have now run out of NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 4090 GPUs, making it almost unavailable in the country.
Alternate, CaseKing & several other German retailers no longer have NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 GPUs
The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090, one of the most powerful GPUs from NVIDIA’s Ada Lovelace architecture, is becoming increasingly rare in Germany. This has left consumers, enthusiasts, and even resellers scrambling to secure one of the last available units as speculation mounts around its discontinuation. This article dives deep into the reasons behind this sudden scarcity and how NVIDIA’s upcoming Blackwell GPUs play into this development.
A Rise in Price and a Fall in Availability
The Sudden Price Surge
The GeForce RTX 4090, since its launch, was a standout in terms of performance. However, in Germany, the prices of these GPUs have been steadily rising since last year, making it harder for consumers to acquire the product at reasonable rates. This increase in price correlates with limited stock availability, leading to market speculation about NVIDIA’s next move.
RTX 4090 Price Comparison Over Time
Time Period | Average Price (EUR) | Price Increase (%) |
---|---|---|
Q4 2023 | €2,000 | – |
Q1 2024 | €2,200 | 10% |
Q2 2024 | €2,500 | 25% |
The continuous price rise, paired with a reduction in stock, led many to believe that the RTX 4090 would be discontinued soon, which would only further spike prices. However, recent developments indicate that the production of this flagship GPU has ceased earlier than anticipated.
Production Halt: NVIDIA’s Strategy?
Early Discontinuation Rumors
While it was initially rumored that production would stop by October 2024, NVIDIA has seemingly pulled the plug on the GeForce RTX 4090 sooner. According to reports from 3DCenter, several German retailers, including major distributors like TD Synnex, no longer have any units of the RTX 4090 in stock. This has sparked concern among potential buyers and professionals in the field.
NVIDIA’s Shift to Blackwell Architecture
One of the main drivers of the RTX 4090’s abrupt discontinuation could be NVIDIA’s strategic decision to push forward the launch of its next-gen Blackwell architecture. The highly anticipated Blackwell GPUs are expected to deliver even better performance, leveraging new advancements in AI processing and ray tracing. This shift, while exciting for tech enthusiasts, means that the GeForce RTX 4090 is becoming a thing of the past much sooner than expected.
Impact on the German Market
Why Germany?
The sudden disappearance of the RTX 4090 from German retailers has raised eyebrows. Germany has been a significant market for NVIDIA, with a robust community of gamers, creators, and professionals relying on high-performance GPUs. The shortage of RTX 4090 units could indicate that NVIDIA is prioritizing other markets for its final shipments of the GPU, leaving Germany out of the equation.
What This Means for Consumers
For those in Germany looking to upgrade their systems or invest in high-end gaming and AI-driven projects, this shortage of the RTX 4090 presents a challenge. Prices are likely to rise even further as demand outweighs supply, leaving many to either seek out second-hand units or wait for the launch of the Blackwell series.
Alternatives to RTX 4090
Considering Other Ada Lovelace GPUs
For consumers unable to secure an RTX 4090, there are alternatives within NVIDIA’s Ada Lovelace lineup that still provide excellent performance:
- GeForce RTX 4080: While slightly less powerful than the RTX 4090, the RTX 4080 offers impressive ray tracing and AI capabilities, making it a viable option for gamers and professionals alike.
- GeForce RTX 4070 Ti: This GPU strikes a balance between price and performance, appealing to users who need high-end performance but are willing to compromise slightly compared to the RTX 4090.
Waiting for Blackwell GPUs
The upcoming Blackwell series is set to revolutionize the GPU landscape once again, offering new features and performance improvements. For those who can hold off on purchasing a GPU right now, waiting for Blackwell might be the best option. However, with no official launch date yet confirmed, this could be a gamble for those needing an upgrade sooner rather than later.
Conclusion
The sudden disappearance of the GeForce RTX 4090 in Germany has left a vacuum in the market. With rising prices and NVIDIA’s strategic pivot to the Blackwell architecture, consumers are faced with tough choices. Whether they opt for alternative Ada Lovelace GPUs or wait for the next-gen Blackwell chips, the RTX 4090’s absence marks the end of an era in high-performance computing.
However, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 is available in most parts of the world and even though the availability might not be as good as before, users can still buy a lot of editions from different vendors from different retail websites. It’s possible that in the coming weeks, the RTX 4090 will start to disappear in various other parts of the world too and once the discontinuation starts, enthusiasts have to wait for the Blackwell gaming GPUs.
News Source: Forum-3DCenter