So The Latest RTX Graphics Cards Have Been a Disaster, Huh?

From the moment they were announced, the latest RTX 50XX series graphics cards were controversial. They’ve only become more so in the weeks since release.

Announced alongside a bevvy of AI technologies, potential buyers were concerned over the difference between real frames and so-called “fake” frames. And although the distinction wasn’t especially convincing – show me what a “real” frame is and we’ll talk – the point was solid. These cards weren’t powerful enough. There wasn’t a big enough leap when upscaling and frame gen were taken out. Not for the price they were asking.

Granted, people were waiting to buy them anyway, and no doubt they’ve sold out completely. That’s fine. There’s always demand for the most powerful cards, and these are them, regardless of the leap. Things have gotten interesting since then.

Firstly there have been some reported defects with the cards. The first has seen reports of melting power connectors, and even a redditor claiming to have had his graphics card set on fire while he was browsing the web. These stories – however common or true – have obviously spread far and wide. This hasn’t been helped by the second set of defects: less than 0.5 percent of cards have been released with a missing render unit. This has an impact on PC performance, and Nvidia recommends getting your card replaced if need be.

And if all this wasn’t enough, other internet sleuths have discovered that the latest cards lack Physx support for some older games. That means your shiny new 5080 could perform worse than a 980ti in some cases. Games like Borderlands and Arkham Knight may be affected.

The RTX Bubble Will Never Burst

Of course, none of this really matters. Nvidia’s RTX graphics cards are still the most popular dedicated cards by a mile. There’s good reason for this. Features like DLSS are a generation ahead of the competition. Remember that as you’re sawing off your arm and your leg.

A small percentage of failures and some issues with older games, as well as a general lack of enthusiasm for upgrading, are not going to change anything one jot while there’s no real alternative. People will stick with their old card, they’ll buy the new cards when they’re cheap.

And not even this disastrous launch will actually change anything. Not while there’s a lack of robust competition. Nvidia can charge what they like, they can build the 60XX cards around even more frame generation and there will still be people waiting to buy. And why not? Who else are you going to go to?

With that said, I hope Nvidia take notice of some of the reactions this time around. People want to upgrade, but what they’ve got is more than good enough. Especially with so much financial uncertainty on the horizon. Like with smart phones and consoles, people need something that makes them sit up in the chair. And unfortunately for graphics cards makes, getting 80fps instead of 60fps isn’t going to cut it.

If they can crack that, the next launch will probably be far better received.