Nvidia cancels RTX 5080 24GB model due to memory shortages

The production halt

Nvidia has reportedly informed its board partners that it is cancelling the launch of the RTX 5080 24GB variant. This specific model was intended to serve as a high-capacity option for the company's new graphics lineup. The cancellation marks a significant shift for users who were anticipating a high-memory card for demanding tasks.

The launch for this 24GB model was originally planned to occur as early as late December or early January. However, the company has now officially halted the January 2027 rollout plan for this specific hardware. There is currently no clear schedule for a future release of the 24GB variant.

According to reports from Tech4Gamers, Nvidia has internally notified its Add-in Card (AIC) partners of this decision. These partners are the manufacturers who build the actual graphics cards sold to consumers. The move effectively leaves the 16GB version as the primary focus for the 5080 series.

Memory chip shortages

The primary reason for the cancellation is a shortage of 3GB DDR7 memory chips. These specific components are required to achieve the 24GB capacity that the cancelled model would have featured. Because these chips are currently very rare, production on a commercial scale has become difficult for Nvidia.

The source notes that 3GB DDR7 chips are described as being arguably rarer than gold in the current market. Using these chips would have made the 24GB models extremely expensive to manufacture. By sticking to the 2GB chips used on existing cards, Nvidia can maintain a more viable production line for the 16GB version.

This shortage is part of a broader trend where the AI industry is driving up prices and creating scarcity. As more companies compete for high-end components to power artificial intelligence, the supply for consumer electronics becomes strained. This scarcity directly impacts the variety of hardware available to the general public.

Impact on the market

The cancellation is particularly notable because Nvidia recently ended production of its flagship RTX 5090 GPUs. Many consumers were looking forward to the 24GB model as a high-end alternative to the 5090. Without this 24GB variant, the 16GB model becomes the primary choice for those seeking the 5080's performance.

The retail market is already seeing significant price inflation across the GPU industry. The RTX 5080 16GB cards are currently listed at retail prices of $2000 in the United States. This high price point makes the 24GB variant even less likely to be affordable for the average gamer globally.

Nvidia's pivot toward AI oligarchs has also contributed to its withdrawal from certain retail markets. The company is increasingly prioritizing the needs of large-scale AI operations over individual consumers. This shift explains why high-capacity components are being diverted away from standard gaming hardware.

What happens next

With the 24GB model officially out of the picture, Nvidia will continue to focus on the RTX 5080 16GB. This card will remain the standard for the 5080 series as the company navigates current supply chain issues. Manufacturers will now focus their efforts on producing the 16GB variant to meet existing demand.

The lack of a clear subsequent launch schedule for a 24GB model suggests that Nvidia may not revisit this specific configuration anytime soon. The company will likely continue to manage its inventory based on the availability of 2GB DDR7 chips. This ensures they can keep the 16GB models moving through the retail pipeline.

Consumers interested in high-memory graphics will have to look toward other options or wait for future hardware cycles. For now, the focus remains on the 16GB cards, which are already seeing high price tags. The industry will continue to watch how Nvidia balances its AI goals with its remaining retail offerings.