Many PC builders and enthusiasts have found themselves unable to get their hands on Nvidia and AMD's high-end graphics cards for the better part of the past year. When they could, the graphics cards were often sold for a higher price, even via official commercial channels.
As a result, many have decided to wait things out. The common belief is the release of newer models would help alleviate the rising cost of high-end graphics cards.
We're now approaching halfway through 2021 and know that such a thought is all but a pipedream at this point. The price hikes have only become worse. So bad, in fact, that it's even extended to entry-level models like the Nvidia GTX 1650 and the AMD RX 570.
What's the Reason Behind The Expensive Graphics Cards?
Getting your hands on the latest Nvidia and AMD graphics cards was already difficult due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, as the infectious virus harmed the entire manufacturing and supply chain.
Not to mention, the entire situation also led to an increase in the demand for graphics cards, as well as computer hardware in general, with people forced to stay at home for their safety. Companies and schools also shifted to a different arrangement with their employees and/or students staying at home to continue their work or education.
Further compounding the problem are cryptocurrency miners and scalpers that tend to empty retailer inventories within minutes of making the graphics cards available.