AIB vendors getting the RTX 5080's memory config wrong could mean 50-series Super cards have more and faster VRAM

HardwareGraphics CardsAIB vendors getting the RTX 5080’s memory config wrong could mean 50-series Super cards have more and faster VRAMWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

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(Image credit: Nvidia)

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 render on green background

While the Nvidia GeForce RTX 50-series cards that were announced this week atCES 2025have initially wooed us with somewhat reasonable pricing and frame generation magic, they haven’t been showstoppers on the memory front. That’s especially the case given it looks like AMD’s RX 9070 graphics cards will have 16 GB of VRAM and presumably be cheaper than Nvidia’s 16 GB cards.

Nvidia says: “Blackwell is equipped with the world’s fastest memory - GDDR7 with speeds up to 30Gbps.” The RTX 5090, 5070 Ti, and 5070 have 28 Gbps memory, while the RTX 5080 has 16 GB of 30 Gbps memory.

So, what’s up with the confusion? Well, according to Videocardz, Nvidia delivered a final BIOS to board partners late, which led to them postponing the launch until January 30. This might mean that AIB partners were working with outdated information, and Nvidia originally planned different memory configs.

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If this memory capacity and speed was initially planned but then scrapped—perhaps to keep prices lower or because the memory might not be in mass production yet—it could be on the table for a 50-series Super refresh down the line.

And if 3 GB GDDR7 memory does end up being used, it might not only mean an RTX 5080 Super with 24 GB of VRAM, but possibly even a lower-end refreshed card with 18 GB of VRAM. Perhaps an 18 GB RTX 5070 Super. All speculation, of course, but nothing beyond the realms of possibility.

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