GPU Prices Drop Even Further, Sort Of - New Radeons Incoming

It's time for our mid-month GPU pricing update and we feel like we say this every month, but honestly, not much has been happening in the GPU market. There haven't been any major releases to shake things up, although we are just a few weeks away from AMD launching new Radeon graphics cards.

Updated: See our latest GPU Pricing Update here.

We expect AMD to host a reveal event this week on August 25th at Gamescom. While AMD hasn't explicitly stated what they'll be showcasing, it's widely expected to be new mid-range graphics cards: the Radeon RX 7800 XT and RX 7700 XT (now launched, follow link).

We've observed consistent leaks related to these products, such as PowerColor accidentally unveiling the 7800 XT early and both models passing through regulatory bodies like the EEC. When leaks begin to surface, it's typically a sign of an imminent launch. However, we don't anticipate these cards being released so soon; it's plausible we'll see a September release.

These new Radeons have the potential to rejuvenate a stagnant GPU market, where current offerings haven't captivated buyers. Yet, given AMD's recent release strategies, they might miss this chance by setting unappealing price points. We've extensively discussed AMD's perplexing marketing and launch decisions, so we sincerely hope we won't witness a rerun of the RX 7600 and RX 7900 XT debacles.

The RX 7800 XT and RX 7700 XT are anticipated to occupy the middle ground in AMD's range, utilizing the Navi 32 silicon. While we don't have definitive specifications yet, rumors suggest the full Navi 32 die features 60 compute units and a 256-bit memory bus. This configuration is likely for the 7800 XT, with the 7700 XT having a slightly reduced setup. Leaks suggest the 7800 model will boast 16GB of memory, whereas the 7700 will have 12GB.

Given that the RX 7900 XT's price has decreased from its launch MSRP of $900 to roughly $750, AMD needs to be cautious pricing these upcoming products. Models like the 6950 XT, 6800 XT, and 6800 remain available at retail, with prices ranging between $640 and $430. AMD also faces competition from Nvidia's products, such as the RTX 4070 and the less popular RTX 4060 Ti.

Specifications for the 7800 XT, which hint at 60 compute units, don't suggest a significant performance leap. If the performance parallels that of the 6800 XT, AMD's new model should be priced around $450, considering the 6800 XT is currently $520. Potential buyers won't be enticed by a card that doesn't offer a better price-to-performance ratio. But, we'll have to wait for the final verdict.

Another factor is the unusual release of the Radeon RX 7900 GRE, which we recently reviewed. Although mainly a product for the Chinese market, it remains part of AMD's portfolio with a "standard" MSRP of $650, despite limited availability. Consequently, we expect the 7800 XT to be priced below this mark.

New GPU Pricing: RTX 4000, RX 7000 and Arc

When looking at the current GPU market, starting with the latest generation of Nvidia GPUs, there isn't much going on. Notable price drops include the RTX 4080 now at $1,100, but nothing too thrilling.

The RTX 4070 Ti and 4070 remain rock solid at their MSRP and there doesn't appear to be any indication of that changing. Given less demand for cards like the RTX 4060 Ti, we would expect a few flash sales, but for now you can expect to pay MSRP level pricing which is pretty horrible.

AMD's RX 7000 series paints a similar picture, though the 7900 XTX and 7900 XT consistently sell below their MSRP. The RX 7600 remains close to its MSRP, but given the competition, it doesn't make the cut.

There's also Intel's line-up, which continues to improve, and we can expect to see a revisit/re-review of some of these cards here soon. The Arc A770 16GB has returned to the market and is now priced at $330, making it the most affordable current-gen model to offer more than 8GB of VRAM. Intel maintains competitive pricing, so it's worth monitoring their releases.

GeForce RTX 30 Series Pricing

Previous generation GPUs are still widely available brand new at retailers like Newegg. The big mover at the moment is the RTX 3070 which has fallen to $380, a 14 percent decrease from last month. The RTX 3060 Ti is also now priced at $320. These cards are competitively priced compared to the new 4060 Ti models and the 4060.

In our opinion, they would be preferable to Nvidia's newer offerings. The 3060 Ti, for instance, is just $20 more than the RTX 4060 despite being over 15% faster on average. This provides a distinctly better cost per frame, even if you miss out on DLSS 3.

Radeon RX 6000 Series Pricing

AMD's Radeon 6000 series remains a viable option. The RX 6800 has reached a new historic low of $430, presenting excellent value against the 3070 and 4060 Ti, with twice the VRAM and enhanced performance in this $400 tier.

Other models are similarly priced as in previous months and continue to be solid value choices in the mainstream market, especially if you're looking to spend less than $250.

For instance, the 6650 XT at $235 offers performance comparable to the RX 7600 and RTX 3060 at a more attractive price. There doesn't seem to be any immediate shortage of these cards, so we anticipate prices will remain stable for the foreseeable future.

Used GPU Pricing

In the used market, we haven't observed significant price fluctuations in recent months, only a gradual decrease accompanied by a consistent supply. Month on month, a few cards have seen a price reduction, such as the 3090 Ti and 3050 with over a 5 percent price drop. Generally speaking, if you're considering a used last-generation GPU, you're looking at roughly a 24 percent savings compared to purchasing that card new. No major anomalies here, especially on the Nvidia side.

Generally speaking, if you're considering a used last-generation GPU, you're looking at roughly a 24 percent savings compared to purchasing that card new.

For AMD's RDNA2 line, we see a 22 percent average saving compared to new card purchases, with minor fluctuations in pricing. This 22 percent saving is an average; significant discounts can be found, like on the RX 6600 XT or RX 6600. However, some mid-tier and higher-end models offer less than that. For example, the Radeon RX 6800 with only a 17 percent saving might not seem worthwhile compared to buying a new one, but this always depends on individual circumstances and the trade-offs between price and factors like warranty. These are average eBay sales figures, so it's possible to find even better deals, further increasing their value.

As for older GPUs, not much change is observed. Supply for these models seems to be gradually declining, but many remain suitable for contemporary gaming. The GeForce RTX 2070, for example, performs similarly to an RX 6600 XT and is priced at $178 used versus $167 for the Radeon 6600 XT, a reasonable disparity considering the feature differences.

The GeForce GTX 16 series represents one of the few current options to acquire a GPU for under $140. Sure, one could consider an RX 6500 XT or an Arc A380 in this range, but we'd likely opt for the GTX 1660 Ti at $100 or even the GTX 1660 at an average of $84. Price stability has been consistent over recent months, reflecting their current value.

Lastly, there's the RX 5000 series. Prices have remained consistent over the past few months, and these models continue to offer excellent value for the performance they provide. However, there's a high probability of purchasing a previously used card for mining. Like the GTX 16 series, these are sensible options if you're aiming for a GPU under $140, as they outperform most new models in the same price bracket.

Wrap Up

In summary, it hasn't been an eventful month in the GPU market. Some GPUs, such as the RX 6800, RTX 3060 Ti, and RX 6650 XT, are currently priced attractively. More often than not, it's these older generation models that catch the eye over the current ones, especially if you're in the market for a mid or lower-tier graphics card – which, let's face it, encompasses a significant majority.

What's interesting is that several months after new generation graphics cards have landed, many older models remain in stock at retailers. For example, the RTX 4070 has been available for five months, yet Nvidia hasn't managed to clear the stocks of the RTX 3070 Ti or RTX 3070.

In previous generations, older models would have been quickly purchased at discounted prices, but that isn't the case today. This might be why AMD has been hesitant to release the Radeon RX 7800 XT and RX 7700 XT – there are still plenty of RX 6800 XT cards in circulation, and those could potentially rival the new models in terms of price and performance.

If you're considering a GPU priced between $300 and $600, it might be wise to wait and see where the upcoming RDNA3 GPUs position themselves and their subsequent impact on other graphics cards. More details will be revealed this same week, with a likely September launch. Outside this price bracket, the market is relatively stagnant, so it could be worth waiting for a sale or simply continuing to monitor the situation. However, if you've been holding out for prices to stabilize before making a purchase, we believe the current pricing structure is here to stay for a while.

Shopping Shortcuts:

• Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 on Amazon
• AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT on Amazon
• Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Ti on Amazon
• Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 on Amazon
• AMD Radeon RX 6950 XT on Amazon
• AMD Radeon RX 7600 on Amazon
• AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT on Amazon
• Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 on Amazon