The RTX 50 Super series delay has sent shockwaves through the gaming community. What was once expected to be a late 2025 launch has now been pushed back to CES 2026, leaving many gamers wondering if they should pull the trigger on current-generation cards or wait for the upgraded models.
What’s Behind the RTX 50 Super Delay?
According to reliable hardware leaker hongxing2020, who has a solid track record with board partner information, the RTX 50 Super series has been officially delayed. The leaker’s September 10th update simply stated “RTX50 Super series delay” with a disappointed emoji, confirming what many industry insiders had suspected.
But here’s the interesting part – other sources suggest this wasn’t actually a delay in the traditional sense. Industry reporter Hassan from WCCFtech clarified that Nvidia never internally planned a Q4 2025 launch. The confusion arose from early rumors and speculation that got picked up and repeated across gaming forums.
Expected RTX 50 Super Specifications and Improvements
The RTX 50 Super lineup is expected to include three main models: the RTX 5070 Super, RTX 5070 Ti Super, and RTX 5080 Super. The biggest upgrade across the board will be memory capacity, thanks to new 3GB GDDR7 modules.
| Model | Base VRAM | Super VRAM | CUDA Cores |
|---|---|---|---|
| RTX 5070 | 12GB | 18GB | 6,144 → 6,400 |
| RTX 5070 Ti | 16GB | 24GB | 8,960 |
| RTX 5080 | 16GB | 24GB | 10,752 |
Why the RTX 50 Super Launch Timeline Makes Sense
Historically, Nvidia’s Super refreshes typically launch 12-15 months after the base models. The RTX 40 series launched in September 2022, with Super variants arriving in January 2024. Following this pattern, a CES 2026 reveal for the RTX 50 Super series aligns perfectly with Nvidia’s established release cadence.
The lack of detailed specifications, benchmark leaks, and early hardware samples also supports a 2026 timeline. Usually, we see extensive leaks months before a major GPU launch – something that’s been notably absent for the Super series.
What This Means for Gamers Right Now
If you’re waiting for the RTX 50 Super cards, you’re looking at least another four to five months before any official announcement, and likely six to seven months before retail availability. This puts potential launch dates somewhere between January and March 2026.
For gamers building systems now, this creates an interesting decision point:
- Current RTX 50 series cards offer excellent performance with DLSS 4 and Blackwell architecture
- AMD’s RX 9070 XT provides strong competition at potentially better value
- Waiting for Super models means dealing with current-gen hardware for another year
- Super cards will likely carry price premiums at launch
Board Partner Expectations and CES 2026
Board partners reportedly expect Nvidia to use CES 2026 as the official reveal platform for RTX 50 Super cards. This follows the same playbook used for the base RTX 50 series, which was announced at CES 2025.
The delay also gives board partners more time to develop custom cooling solutions for the higher-power GDDR7 configurations. With rumored TDP increases across the Super lineup, adequate cooling will be crucial for maintaining performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will RTX 50 Super cards actually launch?
Based on current information, expect official announcements at CES 2026 (January) with retail availability likely between January and March 2026.
Will RTX 50 Super cards be worth the wait?
The significant VRAM upgrades (18GB for RTX 5070 Super, 24GB for higher models) will benefit 4K gaming and content creation. However, current RTX 50 cards already offer excellent performance.
Should I buy an RTX 50 series card now or wait?
If you need a GPU now, current RTX 50 cards are excellent choices. Waiting 6+ months for Super variants only makes sense if you specifically need the extra VRAM or want the latest technology.
How much will RTX 50 Super cards cost?
Rumors suggest similar MSRPs to current models ($549 for RTX 5070 Super, $749 for RTX 5070 Ti Super), but actual retail prices may vary significantly at launch.
Will the delay affect AMD’s GPU competition?
Yes, the delay gives AMD more time to position their RDNA 4 cards (like the RX 9070 XT) without immediate pressure from Nvidia’s refreshed lineup.
What improvements beyond VRAM can we expect?
The RTX 5070 Super is rumored to receive a modest CUDA core increase from 6,144 to 6,400. All models may feature higher clock speeds, reflected in increased power consumption ratings.
Why didn’t Nvidia officially announce the delay?
Nvidia has never officially announced RTX 50 Super cards, so there’s technically nothing to delay. The company maintains its policy of not commenting on unannounced products.
The Bottom Line
The RTX 50 Super delay reinforces that patience in the GPU market often pays off, but only if you can actually wait. While the Super variants will offer meaningful improvements – particularly in VRAM capacity – current RTX 50 series cards already deliver exceptional gaming performance.
For most gamers, the decision comes down to immediate needs versus future-proofing. If your current setup is struggling with modern games, waiting another six months for marginally better cards probably isn’t worth it. However, if you’re specifically targeting 4K gaming or content creation workflows that benefit from extra VRAM, the RTX 50 Super series might justify the wait.
The gaming industry moves fast, and by the time RTX 50 Super cards launch, we’ll probably already be hearing rumors about RTX 60 series development. Sometimes the best graphics card is the one you can actually buy today.