Evolution of graphics card prices in March 2026: taking stock

We enter the month of March 2026, and the graphics card market remains in a particular situation. After the successive launches of NVIDIA RTX 50 and of AMD Radeon RX 9000 by the end of 2025 and the beginning of 2026, prices followed a classic pattern: a surge at launch, gradual correction, then... a plateau.

Because yes, despite the increases announced by manufacturers and AIBs (linked in particular to the end of DRAM memory contracts and the increase in the cost of GDDR7), prices have not skyrocketed. We are also not at the historical low. We are somewhere in between, in a sort of stagnation zone which can be both an opportunity and a trap for buyers.

In this article, we will review the price trends of four popular GPUs: the RTX 5080, the RTX 5060 Ti, the RX 9070 XT, and the RX 9060 XT. With concrete data, evolution charts, and our analysis to help you see clearly.

Before diving into the numbers, a quick reminder of the context. Several factors are converging to push prices up at the beginning of 2026:

• End of DRAM memory contracts : the negotiated agreements end in late 2024/early 2025. The new contracts include higher costs, especially for GDDR7.
• AI-supported request : GPUs intended for AI data centers are consuming a portion of the production capacity, indirectly impacting the gaming market.
• Freedom of pricing for AIB : ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte, and others adjust their prices independently, often above the MSRP recommended by NVIDIA and AMD.
• Average increase of +12% since the beginning of 2026 : according to the data from Comptoir du Hardware, AMD, Intel, and NVIDIA cards have all seen their prices increase by an average of 12% since January.

However, when looking at the price curves in detail, the reality is more nuanced than a simple "everything is increasing." Let's see this GPU by GPU.

The RTX 5080 remains one of the most anticipated cards of this generation. With its 16GB of GDDR7 and excellent performance in 1440p and 4K, it is the premium choice for high-end gaming. But in terms of price, it's a bit of a roller coaster.

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What we observe on the graph is quite revealing. The prices of the RTX 5080 have experienced a peak at launch (november-december 2025), with models like the MSI Gaming Trio OC exceeding 1 700 euros. This was followed by a gradual correction towards January 2026, where some models like the Palit GamingPro reached 999 euros.

But since the end of February, we have observed a sharp increase in prices The MSI Ventus 3X OC is priced at 1,269 euros (+26.9% vs MSRP), while the Founders Edition shows a premium of +45.9% at 1,459 euros, a sign of persistent scarcity on this model.

In summary, the RTX 5080 currently fluctuates between 1 219 and 1 459 euros according to the models. We are clearly above the minimums reached in January, but below the launch prices. This is the famous threshold we were talking about: neither at the lowest, nor at the highest.

The RTX 5060 Ti is probably the card that generates the most discussions at the moment. With 89 listed references, it is the most supplied segment of the market. But between the 8GB and 16GB versions, the price differences are considerable.

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The finding is clear: the 8GB version of the RTX 5060 Ti (MSI Ventus 2X OC Plus) is currently at 399 euros (+23.1%), which remains relatively accessible. Its historical minimum is 324 euros, reached in January.

On the other hand, the 16GB versions show significantly higher prices. The MSI Ventus 2X OC Plus 16GB is at 519 euros (+30.7%), while the ASUS Dual White 16GB explodes at 685 euros (+50.5%) The white and special editions continue to command a significant premium.

The general trend is similar to other GPUs: a post-launch drop followed by a rise in February-March. The curves show that prices were at their lowest in January, with a convergence of min/max prices (a sign of good availability), before diverging again recently.

On the AMD side, the RX 9070 XT emerges as a direct competitor to the RTX 5080, but in a significantly lower price range. With 41 listed references and generally more contained markups, it often represents the best value for money in the high-end segment.

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The price curves of the RX 9070 XT show a pattern comparable to NVIDIA cards, but with overall lower surcharges The ASUS Prime is only +9.7% above the MSRP at 657 euros, making it one of the best current value for money ratios. The Sapphire Pulse is at 684 euros (+17.3%) and the Nitro+ (premium version) at 729 euros (+16.8%).

An interesting point: the Acer Predator BiFrost experienced a spectacular peak at over 1,085 euros at the end of January, probably linked to a temporary stock shortage, before dropping back to 740 euros. This kind of spike illustrates well the volatility that persists on certain models when stock becomes scarce.

Overall, the RX 9070 XT is trading between 657 and 740 euros early March. Historical lows (583-624 euros) date back to January. We went back up, but the markups remain more reasonable than at NVIDIA.

For those looking for a graphics card capable in 1080p and 1440p without blowing the budget, the RX 9060 XT has become a reference. With 44 products listed and prices starting below 400 euros, it is the most accessible entry point of the new generation.

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The graph of the RX 9060 XT reveals interesting trends. The Sapphire Gaming OC 16GB is located at 405 euros (+18.1%) , with a historical minimum of 343 euros. The ASUS Dual 16GB is at 413 euros (+16%). But it is the 8GB version of ASUS that is the most affordable at 350 euros (+17.8%).

The Prime model has even reached an impressive low of 259 euros at a given time, making it potentially one of the best deals of this entire generation if you manage to snag it at that price. Unfortunately, it has now risen to 378 euros currently (+45.9%).

As with the other cards, January was clearly the best time to buy. The rise in February-March is visible, but prices remain within a reasonable range for a card of this generation. The Gigabyte Windforce 16GB is the most expensive of the lot at 449 euros (+36.9%).

To see more clearly, here is a summary of the prices observed at the beginning of March 2026 for each analyzed GPU. The percentages indicate the markup compared to the official MSRP.

When we step back and look at all of this data, the observation is more nuanced than what alarmist headlines might suggest. Yes, prices have risen since the lows of January 2026. Yes, markups compared to the MSRP remain significant (between +10% and +50% depending on the models). But no, we are not in a downward spiral.

What we observe looks more like a stabilization shim after the post-launch correction. Prices have found a kind of balance between supply (which has improved compared to the first weeks) and demand (still strong, fueled by gamers and content creators).

Some key trends to remember:

• AMD offers better value for money : the markups on the RX 9000 are generally lower than those on the RTX 50, especially on the RX 9070 XT.
• The Founders Edition remain the most expensive : paradoxically, reference models are often more expensive than AIB versions, due to their rarity.
• Special editions (white, OC+) widen the gap : if you want a specific look, be prepared to pay 30 to 50% more.
• The 8GB versions are significantly cheaper : for purely gaming use at 1080p, the 8GB variants of the RTX 5060 Ti and RX 9060 XT remain viable and more affordable options.

If you want to keep an eye on price developments and not miss a good deal, you can check directly the DropReference GPU board . All available graphics cards in France are referenced there with their current price, history, and good deal alerts. It's the ideal tool to make your decision at the right time.

The question everyone is asking. And the honest answer is: it depends on your situation.

If you need a graphics card now and find a model at a price that suits you, it is a reasonable purchase. Prices are not at their lowest, but they are not at their highest either. The risk of a further increase exists (memory contracts and geopolitical tensions could weigh), but there is also no guarantee of an imminent decrease.

If you can wait, keep an eye on the curves. The summer months are historically more favorable to buyers, with promotions and lower demand. But in the current context of tensions on memory, nothing is guaranteed.

Our advice: define your budget, monitor prices on DropReference, and buy when you find your target at an acceptable price Trying to time the market perfectly is a losing game.

It is likely for some models. The end of DRAM memory contracts negotiated in 2024-2025 leads to an increase in production costs, especially for GDDR7. Analysts predict additional increases of 8 to 15% in the first half of 2026. However, competition between NVIDIA and AMD should limit excesses.

The RX 9070 XT stands out with markups generally below 20% and performance close to the RTX 5080 in many games. For a tighter budget, the RX 9060 XT 16GB around 400 euros offers an excellent performance/price ratio for 1080p and 1440p.

If you exclusively play in 1080p and your budget is tight, the 8GB version at 399 euros may suffice. But for better longevity and gaming in 1440p, 16GB is recommended. The price difference (around 120 to 280 euros depending on the models) is justified in the long term, especially with games becoming increasingly VRAM-hungry.

It's a rarity phenomenon. Founders Edition cards are produced in limited quantities and are not always available in all countries. High demand combined with low stock creates a significant premium. The RTX 5080 FE, for example, is priced at +45.9% above the MSRP, much higher than most AIB models.

DropReference offers real-time tracking of all available GPUs in France, with price history, alerts, and comparison between merchants. It is the most comprehensive tool for monitoring trends and buying at the best time.