According to the latest rumors, NVIDIA is planning to announce a redesigned GeForce RTX 5050 featuring more memory at Computex. It’s been almost a year since the budget-friendly 8 GB card launched with an $249 MSRP, although at the time of this writing the lowest price on NVIDIA’s storefront is $299, so it’s not unusual to see a “refresh,” but times are indeed different than years past in that regard. We are, of course, in the midst of a major DRAM/NAND memory chip shortage, which has seemingly brought new GPU product releases to a halt. At one point, it seemed all but guaranteed that the GPU manufacturer would have begun launching its RTX 50 series SUPER lineup, but not only did that not happen, it never even got an official announcement, something many expected to have been planned around CES. So, given that, it is understandable to have doubts, but it does align with others that NVIDIA is planning on doing something with whatever supply it has of 3 GB GDDR7 modules.
According to a post by @MegasizeGPU (via Benchlife and VideoCardz), we could see the release of a GeForce RTX 5050 featuring 9 GB of GDDR7 memory. The original model from last year had 8 GB GDDR6 on a 128-bit bus, but it’s said this new version will be on a 96-bit bus, but despite that its thought the faster memory will compensate for the smaller bus. The next interesting detail here is that it will use the same GB205 die used in the GeForce RTX 5070, and moving forward, the RTX 5060 will also use this die. The logic behind this is that salvageable defective dies are being repurposed for the lower-tier cards. This, too, is a common industry practice, so no major surprise here.
RTX5060 GB205 incoming
— MEGAsizeGPU (@Zed__Wang) March 4, 2026
NV has jammed AIC with 5060Ti 8G, and later realized Oh shit, no GB206 for 5060. And here comes the solution: 5060 based on GB205. Poor AICs need to make a new 5060 PCB design to house the GB205. Basically making a 5070 PCB with an 8-pin connector.
New product: RTX5050 9GB GDDR7 96Bit
— MEGAsizeGPU (@Zed__Wang) March 4, 2026
NV knows they can give you a 5050/5060 128-bit 12G with the new 3G GDDR7 dies. But no, you got a 5050 9G💀
Previously, though, the RTX 5050 8 GB and RTX 5060 8 GB both used the same GB206 die. Something else they shared in common was that neither model was sent to reviewers, and those who managed to procure one didn’t always have the best things to say about them, so it won’t be a surprise if this happens again with this purported redesign. Megasize has also shared in joking that rather than giving consumers a full 128-bit 12 GB upgrade, NVIDIA opted to further ration its supply of 3 GB GDDR7 modules.
A big question on everyone’s minds is pricing. If pre-memory shortage, MSRP began at $249 and is currently available starting at $299 with 8 GB of GDDR6, how much more is NVIDIA going to charge for 9 GB GDDR7, given that DRAM can sometimes be seen going for double or more? Another factor to consider, as detailed in the rumor, is that NVIDIA’s partners must also redesign their PCBs to accommodate the different GPU die, although if they have some RTX 5070 PCBs lying around that might not be as problematic (sure, sure), but if not, who will absorb those costs? Well, if this rumor pans out to be true, we could get some answers in a few months at Computex, which runs from June 2-5.
Discussion (17 replies)
Join Discussion →Oh joy. 96bit 9GB? Sign me up!
Oh no. This is disastrous for AMD's 9060 XT 8GB. They need to fire back with 9060 XT "greater than 9 GB but less than 16 GB" !!!!
So like ... 12?
10 or 12 GB. But I would like to see them do slower 18 GB. That would age better.
When need some rich guy who loves gaming to invest in a new RAM company that manufactures RAM. This company should be "For gamers, by gamers" and only sell RAM to individuals.
5050 souper
the whole reason everyone is dropping out of the consumer race is because they can get sued by shareholders for not maximizing a return on investment. Privately owned is the way to go. We need the Arizona Tea company of ram manufacturers.
So you watch The Fat Electrician also?
Heck yea I do.
Honestly no need for 12 GB on a 5050. It's a 1080p card, and a low end one at that. I doubt there's a scenario where it'll use all 8 GB of the existing model. It's not like this thing is running psycho textures in CP2077.
I see why Nvidia is doing it. Resource consolidation. From 4x2 GB modules to 3x3 GB modules, with a slightly higher bandwidth as a bonus.
I don't care about 5050. I'm worried about 9060 XT 8 GB. It's gonna look like really bad value next to 5050 9 GB, even for AMD loyalists.
I'm not sure how you came to that conclusion. The 9060 XT is, on average, about 25-30% faster. 1 GB of RAM difference means diddly squat.
[URL unfurl="true"]https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/gpus/nvidia-dominates-discrete-gpu-market-as-sales-of-amd-radeon-graphics-cards-hit-historical-low[/URL]
This has me worried. If AMD doesn't counter with better value, they may arrive at a conclusion through their own making via complacency that it's not worth investing in discrete GPU development anymore, at least for gaming.
Starting to think Intel has already made this decision, although largely influenced by the DRAM shortage.
299 is budget friendly? man I hate this timeline. That is what I paid for my 1080ti FFS
9GB is such an odd number (well, literally, LOL) . But to be fair the 5050 sucks so much that anything over 8 is probably wasted anyway. Ain't nobody doing 4K on that bad boy. Good luck with 1440p without DLSS or FG. This is a 1080p card.