AMD’s board partners are gearing up for another round of price increases on Radeon GPUs throughout 2026, and this time there’s a strategic shift happening behind the scenes.
According to reports from Chinese distribution channels, AMD is prioritizing production of 8GB VRAM models while scaling back on some 16GB configurations, a move that comes as memory shortages continue squeezing the entire graphics card market.
The initial wave already hit in January 2026, with AMD raising prices by $10 for every 8GB of VRAM on GPU and memory kits sold to add-in board partners.
That translates to a $10 bump for 8GB cards like the Radeon RX 9060 XT 8GB and a $20 increase for 16GB models such as the RX 9070 XT.
So the flagship RX 9070 XT 16GB, originally priced at $599, now sits closer to $619, while the RX 9060 XT 8GB moved from $299 to around $309.
But here’s the thing: this isn’t the end of it. Another price adjustment landed in February, with distributors implementing a 5-10% increase across most Radeon models, and sources suggest yet another hike could arrive in March.
By the end of 2026, some 8GB models could see cumulative price increases of around $40-45, while 16GB cards might climb as high as $85 above their original cost.
Why AMD is betting on 8GB cards
The driving force behind this shift is pretty straightforward, GDDR6 memory has become expensive and scarce.
The AI boom and data center demand have caused DRAM suppliers to raise their prices significantly, leaving GPU manufacturers with limited options.
For AMD, producing more 8GB graphics cards makes financial and logistical sense. Every additional gigabyte on a PCB increases cost and creates availability risks when memory supply is unstable.
By focusing production on models like the Radeon RX 9060 XT 8GB and the China-focused RX 7650 GRE, AMD can keep volume moving and reduce the memory required per unit.
On the flip side, 16GB models like the RX 9070 and RX 9070 GRE are reportedly seeing reduced output, with priority staying on the RX 9060 XT 16GB and RX 9070 XT for those who need the extra VRAM.
The RX 9070 XT has been difficult to find at MSRP in the US for weeks now, which lines up with earlier rumors about constrained availability on higher-capacity cards.
What this means for PC gamers in 2026
AMD isn’t alone in this situation. NVIDIA is expected to follow suit with its own price adjustments, and there’s already talk of potential shortages affecting certain GeForce RTX 50 series models, particularly the RTX 5070 Ti and higher SKUs, during the first half of 2026.
If both red and green teams implement similar increases, the price gap between Radeon and GeForce cards, one of AMD’s traditional advantages, could shrink considerably.
David McAfee, AMD’s Vice President and General Manager of Radeon graphics, addressed concerns at CES 2026, assuring that AMD doesn’t foresee actual shortages of Radeon GPUs thanks to strong partnerships with suppliers.
Still, he acknowledged that maintaining competitive pricing in this environment is challenging, though AMD remains committed to delivering the best performance per dollar for gamers.
For now, the PC gaming community is watching closely as memory costs reshape the GPU landscape, with wallet-friendly options becoming harder to find and 8GB cards positioned as the new mainstream standard whether gamers like it or not.
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