NextFin News - On January 16, 2026, ASUS publicly refuted circulating reports alleging that NVIDIA had discontinued the 16GB versions of its GeForce RTX 5060 Ti and RTX 5070 Ti graphics cards. The clarification came via an official statement shared on social media by Hardware Unboxed, a reputable hardware news outlet, which included direct communication from ASUS representatives. The company emphasized that while production and supply of these models have been affected by ongoing memory shortages, the cards have not reached end-of-life status and will continue to be supported and sold in various markets.
The rumors initially surfaced following reports from manufacturers and retailers indicating a halt in distribution of these 16GB variants, attributed to chip and memory supply constraints. NVIDIA also confirmed that the RTX 5070 Ti is not being phased out, contradicting earlier speculation. ASUS acknowledged that fluctuations in availability are due to external supply chain disruptions rather than strategic discontinuation decisions.
This episode underscores the persistent challenges faced by the semiconductor and GPU industries amid global memory shortages that have extended into 2026. The 16GB RTX 5060 Ti and 5070 Ti models, positioned as attractive options for gamers and content creators requiring higher VRAM capacities, remain critical to NVIDIA's product portfolio. Their continued production signals NVIDIA's intent to maintain a competitive offering in the mid-to-high-end GPU segment despite supply headwinds.
From an industry perspective, the memory shortage impacting these GPUs is symptomatic of broader supply chain bottlenecks affecting DRAM and GDDR6 memory production. These constraints have been exacerbated by increased demand for AI and data center applications, which compete for the same memory resources. Consequently, GPU manufacturers like NVIDIA and partners such as ASUS must navigate inventory management challenges, balancing production volumes with fluctuating component availability.
Market implications include potential price volatility and limited retail availability for these 16GB models in the near term, which could influence consumer purchasing decisions and channel dynamics. However, the official denial of discontinuation helps stabilize market expectations and reassures stakeholders of ongoing support for these GPUs.
Looking ahead, the resolution of memory supply issues will be pivotal for NVIDIA and its AIB partners to normalize production and meet demand. Industry forecasts suggest gradual easing of memory shortages by late 2026 as new fabrication capacities come online. This should enable more consistent availability of high-VRAM GPUs, supporting NVIDIA's strategy to cater to gamers and professionals requiring enhanced graphical performance and memory bandwidth.
In summary, ASUS's denial of discontinuation rumors for the 16GB RTX 5060 Ti and 5070 Ti models highlights the complex interplay between supply chain constraints and product lifecycle management in the GPU market. While supply disruptions persist, the commitment to these models reflects NVIDIA's focus on sustaining a diverse and competitive product lineup amid evolving market conditions.
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