Ah, NVIDIA, the crown jewel of graphics card makers – and the poster child for how the tech industry seems determined to price out the very people who made it successful. The RTX 50 series is just the latest example of how far things have gone off the rails. Sure, it’s cutting-edge, but when GPUs cost more than your monthly rent and guzzle power like a tech-obsessed Hummer, you have to wonder… What is even happening anymore?
The innovation excuse is getting boring
Every time NVIDIA drops a new GPU, it’s like they’re trying to outdo themselves – not just in performance but in how much they can charge. The RTX 5090, for instance, is rumoured to pack 1.7x the shader cores of its predecessor. Faster memory? Check. Better efficiency? Allegedly. And while all of this sounds great on a spec sheet, it’s hard to ignore that these “advancements” are coming with jaw-dropping price tags.
Sure, NVIDIA isn’t the only one guilty of this. Tech companies across the board keep chasing innovation at all costs – our costs, specifically. They’ll say things like, “It’s the future of gaming,” or, “It’s for the pros who demand the best,” but let’s be honest: how much of this cutting-edge tech actually benefits the average user?
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Supply chains, rare metals, and other price hikes
Now, let’s give NVIDIA a sliver of credit. It’s not all their fault. The tech industry’s reliance on rare earth metals and fragile global supply chains isn’t exactly helping. NVIDIA’s GPUs are built using advanced 3nm chips from TSMC – chips that are as expensive to produce as they are difficult to source. Throw in geopolitical drama, rising material costs, and post-pandemic production struggles, and yeah, prices were bound to go up.
But here’s the thing – NVIDIA’s been here before. They’ve seen these challenges coming for years. Yet instead of trying to soften the blow for consumers, they seem to be leaning into the chaos, treating every new GPU launch like an auction for the ultra-rich.
What about the electricity bill?
Oh, and don’t forget the power requirements. The RTX 5090 is rumoured to draw upwards of 450 watts. That’s not just a GPU; it’s a space heater with some shaders thrown in. Upgrading to this monstrosity doesn’t just mean a bigger PSU; it means rethinking your entire setup – cooling, airflow, maybe even wiring in another circuit breaker if you’re feeling fancy.
This isn’t a GPU for the average gamer. It’s for people who treat gaming like a luxury sport, where the cost of entry includes upgrading your entire rig and bracing for a spike in your electricity bill. And let’s not even start on the environmental impact of all this power-hungry hardware.
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Tech industry’s growing divide
Here’s the real kicker – this isn’t just a NVIDIA problem; it’s a tech industry problem. Across the board, companies are doubling down on “innovation” that’s pricing out regular users. Whether it’s smartphones creeping past $2,000 or laptops marketed as “pro” that cost as much as a used car, the message is clear: if you’re not rolling in cash, you’re not invited.
For NVIDIA, the RTX 50 series epitomises this trend. It’s packed with AI features, real-time ray tracing, and other buzzwords that look great in marketing but feel increasingly irrelevant for gamers who just want to enjoy smooth gameplay without financial regret. Casual users and budget gamers? Good luck. NVIDIA’s got their eyes on the whales.
What’s next?
As GPUs get more expensive and power-hungry, the divide between the haves and the have-nots in tech is only growing wider. Enthusiasts with disposable income will keep chasing the latest and greatest, while everyone else is left scavenging for last-gen hardware and “mid-tier” products that still cost a small fortune.
So here’s a thought, NVIDIA and friends: maybe it’s time to dial it back? Yes, we all appreciate innovation, but innovation without accessibility is just a flex. How about GPUs that don’t require a second mortgage or a small power plant to run? How about making technology for everyone again – not just the 1% only?
Until then, the RTX 50 series might be the crown jewel of graphics technology, but for most of us, it’s just a shiny reminder of how out of touch the tech industry has become.
Also Read: Future of Computing in 2025: Top 6 innovations shaping tomorrow’s tech
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Booman
The ultimate contrarian, BooMan is the final boss you will have to face in the sea of opinions about technology. He will unapologetically put out his contrarian opinions about all things tech. He has come out of the shades of the magazine, and is now writing on Digit.in. Take his opinions with a grain of salt, as BooMan is completely ficticious and all his work is satirical in nature. View Full Profile
