AMD looks set to lean harder into 8 GB Radeon graphics cards, and that shift may arrive at the same time as another round of price increases from its add-in board (AIC) partners. If the reports are accurate, this combination could make it tougher for PC gamers to find truly affordable GPUs in the months ahead.
According to industry chatter shared through Board Channels, AMD’s board partners are preparing to raise prices again soon. These same partners reportedly pushed through a roughly 5% to 10% increase back in January, and a second hike could land this month or next. The immediate result would be higher street prices across the Radeon RX 9000 lineup, even in segments that are supposed to be “budget-friendly.”
The bigger concern is where pricing might go if AICs attempt to align Radeon cards more closely with competing GeForce pricing. If that happens, GPUs such as the Radeon RX 9060 XT and Radeon RX 9070/XT could end up far more expensive than many buyers expect, especially given how inflated the broader GPU market already is. As a point of comparison, some midrange 16 GB cards from the competition have been showing up at shockingly high price points, and that kind of price creep could spread.
Right now, the Radeon RX 9060 XT 16 GB has generally been easier on the wallet, commonly appearing in the $400–$500 range at major retailers. But if AMD’s partners continue raising prices and the market supports it, that gap may shrink quickly, potentially pulling the RX 9060 XT 16 GB closer to the inflated pricing we’ve been seeing elsewhere.
One major driver behind this rumored strategy is memory cost. DRAM pricing has reportedly surged dramatically, making it more difficult for both major GPU makers to hold the line near MSRP. With memory getting so expensive, the industry appears to be putting greater emphasis on 8 GB models, which are cheaper to build and easier to supply at higher volume.
For AMD, the rumor isn’t limited to its newest graphics cards. The company is expected to prioritize more 8 GB Radeon GPUs not only within the current RDNA 4 family, but also by leaning on older-generation products. Specifically, attention is said to be on the Radeon RX 9060 XT 8 GB, along with the RDNA 3-based Radeon RX 7650 GRE, a model that originally launched as a China-focused release.
The RX 7650 GRE has been showing up around the sub-$400 range at some retailers, but if another price increase hits, the RX 9060 XT 8 GB could also drift upward toward $400, narrowing the value advantage that many buyers expect from an 8 GB card.
If these reports hold true, shoppers looking for a cost-effective Radeon GPU may want to keep a close eye on pricing trends over the next few weeks. Between rising board partner costs and a stronger push toward 8 GB inventory, the “budget GPU” category could look very different soon—especially for players hoping to stretch their money while still getting a modern graphics card.
