Relaunched RTX 3060 12GB price jumps 45% to nearly $500 in two months

NVIDIA relaunched the RTX 3060 12GB in late June to address ongoing component shortages, but the card's price has surged nearly 45% in two months, reaching almost $500. Despite its 12GB VRAM, the GPU ... Read original →

NVIDIA’s relaunch of the RTX 3060 12GB is a symptom of broader semiconductor market disruption caused by AI chip demand diverting memory supply, particularly GDDR6. Despite being produced on mature 3nm nodes with lower manufacturing costs, the card’s price has surged nearly 45%, highlighting supply chain constraints rather than cost inefficiencies. The product’s performance lags behind newer models like the RTX 5060, reducing consumer appeal. This pricing pressure reflects a structural shift in the industry, where TSMC and other foundries are increasingly prioritizing AI chip production. Retail platforms such as Amazon UK and Geizhals are witnessing sharp price fluctuations, signaling global market fragmentation. In the next 12–24 months, if AI demand remains robust, traditional GPU markets may continue to shrink, forcing manufacturers to reassess product strategies and pricing models.