The RTX 4090 is one of the best graphics cards available today. However, now may be your final opportunity if you are considering purchasing one. Members of the Board Channels forum, as reported by VideoCardz, indicate that Nvidia has discontinued the RTX 4090 and will stop processing new orders by the end of this month.
Signs of discontinuation
The signs of this decision have been brewing for some time. Last month, users on the Board Channels forums hinted that Nvidia was preparing to retire the RTX 4090 in anticipation of launching the next generation of RTX 50-series GPUs. Although Nvidia has not officially announced the discontinuation, some regions are already experiencing shortages and rising prices. A German publication, PC Games Hardware report, states, “It is now becoming increasingly clear that the GeForce RTX 4090… will soon have reached its end of lifetime,” citing high prices and a “lack of availability” in the market.
In the United States, the situation is less urgent. You can still find the RTX 4090 in stock at various retailers, though prices are significantly above the original list price. For instance, the Gigabyte RTX 4090 Gaming OC is priced at US$1,800 on Newegg, while other models are mostly available for over US$2,000. Amazon lists the Asus RTX 4090 Tuf Gaming OC at US$1,820.
The future of the RTX 4090
Given that the RTX 4090 is predominantly selling above its list price, combined with speculation about the imminent launch of the RTX 5090, now is not the most favourable time to purchase it. Yet, if the rumours about its discontinuation are accurate, this could be one of the last opportunities to acquire it at current prices. With Nvidia transitioning away from this generation, the company will likely stop supplying the RTX 4090, although the exact timing remains uncertain.
In addition to the RTX 4090, forum members have mentioned that the RTX 4080 Super is set to be discontinued next month. This model replaced the original RTX 4080 with a Super refresh. While the two GPUs are nearly identical, the Super Refresh launched at a lower price of US$1,000, which was US$200 less than its predecessor. This pricing adjustment was a goodwill gesture from Nvidia to gamers, addressing the original model's high price. Despite its reduced list price, the limited availability of the original RTX 4080 meant that the Super Refresh rarely sold at its intended price.
What's next for consumers?
Even though Nvidia is expected to phase out both the RTX 4090 and the RTX 4080 Super, this change may take some time to reflect in retail stock. Add-in board partners (AIBs) have likely placed their last orders and will continue to supply retailers with new units for a while. However, as the months pass, the RTX 4090 will likely vanish from store shelves.
If you are keen on obtaining an RTX 4090, it would be wise to act quickly. The current situation suggests that prices could rise even further or that the product may become increasingly difficult to find.
