As NVIDIA prioritizes the GB202 core for more profitable professional graphics cards, the gaming product line has lost its flagship. The previously shelved RTX 5080 24GB solution has been forced back into production, becoming the reluctant new flagship. This model is expected to launch in Q1 2027.
In terms of specifications, the RTX 5080 24GB uses the GB203 core with 10,752 CUDA cores. VRAM has been upgraded from 16GB GDDR7 to 24GB, with the memory bus width remaining at 256-bit, and total board power around 415W.
This card is not a new design but rather a model originally planned as the RTX 5080 SUPER that was shelved due to skyrocketing VRAM costs. NVIDIA is re-releasing it to fill the void in the high-end gaming graphics card market.
High-end models like the RTX 5090 are gradually being discontinued, creating a flagship gap in the gaming product line.Meanwhile, soaring VRAM costs combined with AI demand squeezing production capacity have fundamentally changed the supply and pricing logic for high-end gaming graphics cards.
Price is of particular concern to players. The RTX 5080 16GB launched at $999, while the 24GB version is expected to retail between $1,999 and $2,999 (approximately RMB 14,300 to 21,500).
In domestic channels, the actual selling price of the RTX 5080 16GB has risen from the official MSRP of RMB 8,299 to around RMB 12,000, with the 24GB version likely heading straight for over RMB 15,000.
For gamers, the RTX 5080 24GB will be the highest-end GeForce graphics card available throughout 2027. While the VRAM upgrade from 16GB to 24GB is certainly an improvement, overall flagship performance has regressed, and prices have surged significantly, further narrowing players' choices.