RTX 5080 graphics card: A steep price tag worrying gamers?

Recent leaks have hinted at the pricing for the premium RTX 5080, suggesting that NVIDIA may once again be testing gamers’ wallets with an eye-watering price tag.

According to YouTuber Vex, a source from an Australian retailer revealed that the overclocked Asus version of the RTX 5080 will retail for as much as 2,799 AUD (around 1,740 USD), including taxes. While these are still unconfirmed rumors, they’ve already caused unease among gaming communities.

If this information proves accurate, the RTX 5080 would be significantly more expensive than the RTX 4080 (1,200 USD) and approach the price of the RTX 4090 (1,599 USD). This raises questions about whether the actual performance of this new graphics card will justify its 'sky-high' price tag.

Additionally, hardware enthusiast wxnod recently shared an image on X (formerly Twitter) that allegedly details the prices of NVIDIA’s upcoming RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 at a Chinese retailer. According to the image, these GPUs are slated for release in Q1 2025, likely in the Chinese market, but are expected to debut globally at NVIDIA’s keynote on January 6. The RTX 5090 is listed at 18,999 Yuan (around 2,600 USD), and the RTX 5080 at 9,999 Yuan (around 1,350 USD). However, as with all leaks, this information should be taken with a grain of salt, as prices are often subject to change leading up to an official launch.

While some rumors suggest the RTX 5080 might deliver performance comparable to the RTX 4090, skepticism remains. If the performance doesn’t truly stand out, gamers may think twice before spending on this high-end graphics card.

That said, there are factors that might make the RTX 5080’s price more “reasonable.”

• The 1,740 USD price mentioned is reportedly for the overclocked Asus version, which is typically more expensive than NVIDIA’s standard editions.
• This price includes taxes, whereas NVIDIA’s suggested retail prices generally exclude taxes.

Even so, based on current information, gamers have valid reasons to worry about the RTX 5080’s price. Many are hoping that NVIDIA will offer a more accessible price point to ensure this graphics card can reach a broader audience.

All doubts will be cleared on January 6, when the “green giant” officially unveils its RTX 50-series graphics cards. And as always, while waiting for more exciting news, remember to use our comparison tool to find the best deal for your next favorite game.