Nvidia Expects GeForce RTX 30 Series Shortages To Last Well Into 2021
The launch of Nvidia's 30 Series graphics cards has not gone smoothly. Four different 30 Series graphics cards have launched since October, each selling out near-instantly, and none receiving significant stock supply since. Nvidia has blamed shortages on the lack of specific necessary components required for all Nvidia GeForce RTX 30 Series cards. In a recent conference, Nvidia CFO Colette Kress said these component shortages may last well into 2021.
Speaking at the Credit Suisse 24th Annual Technology Conference, Kress said Nvidia is seeing shortages not just in wafers and silicon, but also "some constraints in substrates and components" for 30 Series cards. She went on to say that Nvidia is continuing to work on these shortages through the current quarter, but that she expects supply to be unmet "probably" through the next quarter too. In other words, these component shortages are unlikely to be solved through April 2021, if not longer.
Nvidia expects supply to probably "take a couple of months for it to catch up to demand," which could mean that even after components are properly supplied it could take longer for availability to rise. Potential buyers can apparently expect to hear more information regarding the state of 30 Series cards' supply by the end of the quarter. In the meantime, Kress said things are improving "each day." That likely feels like a hollow statement to some given the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Ti sold out as fast, or faster than other 30 Series cards.
As for why things are this way, Kress didn't elaborate on the situation. The COVID-19 pandemic could contribute to the kinds of issues that Nvidia is facing, but that doesn't answer why Nvidia chose to launch its 30 Series cards despite the shortages. Nvidia's biggest supporters are ending up the most frustrated, and even those who did receive a 30 Series card have had problems due to component issues, though those issues are believed to have been resolved since.
Hardware on launch, whether Nvidia's graphics cards or new video game consoles, can be difficult to acquire. Nvidia's 30 Series launch, however, has come across worse than usual, as the use of bots to automatically purchase cards as Nvidia and partners slowly roll out stock has made buying a card difficult. Resellers on eBay, including accounts run by official Nvidia partners, are selling these cards at twice the price in quantity.
Regardless of their overall availability, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3090, 3080, 3070, and 3060 Ti are out now. Limited stock is sold at retailers as it arrives, so interested gamers do have a chance to buy the card of their choice. It may just require following various trackers and being available to pause everything at all hours of the day. Unfortunately, Nvidia suggests it may be like that for some time yet.
Sources: Tech+Game, Credit Suisse
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