The tech world has been abuzz with speculation regarding Nvidia’s plans for its RTX 40-series graphics cards. Whispers of a near-total sunsetting of the lineup have dominated recent headlines, leading to uncertainty among gamers and enthusiasts alike. However, a recent leak from Weibo, first reported by Wccftech, reveals a surprising development: the RTX 4050 laptop GPU may be the sole survivor.
According to the leak, the RTX 4050 will continue to be manufactured even after the highly anticipated launch of the RTX 50-series. This is a significant departure from expectations, especially considering the relatively modest performance of the RTX 4050. While not a powerhouse by any means, it offers access to Nvidia’s DLSS 3 technology at a budget-friendly price point, typically found in laptops priced around $680. The card’s continued production is not only intriguing but also potentially impactful on the market landscape.
The coexistence of the RTX 4050 and the upcoming RTX 5050 will likely influence pricing strategies for the next generation. Some predictions suggest that the RTX 5050 might rival the performance of the RTX 4060. This poses an interesting challenge for Nvidia, particularly if they intend to maintain production of both the 4060 and the 5050. Keeping a lower-end model like the 4050 in production, while potentially discontinuing higher-end cards like the 4090 and 4070, underscores a clear shift in Nvidia’s manufacturing focus towards the budget segment.
This strategic decision by Nvidia isn’t entirely unprecedented. While the RTX 3050 saw releases for both desktops and laptops, the RTX 4050 has remained exclusively a laptop component. This limits its impact on the desktop GPU market but provides a steady supply to the mobile gaming community. This could ensure a smooth transition to the RTX 50-series for budget-conscious laptop buyers. The current situation leaves several important questions unanswered. While the continued availability of the RTX 4050 until an RTX 5050 laptop GPU becomes available makes practical sense, it also hints at a potentially staggered rollout of Nvidia’s next-generation GPUs. If Nvidia prioritizes high-end releases like the RTX 5090 and 5080 initially, the arrival of the RTX 5050 could be several months down the line. Until then, the RTX 4050 will likely continue to fill a gap in the market.
Nvidia is expected to officially unveil the RTX 50-series during CES 2025 in January. Until then, the information surrounding the RTX 4050’s continued production should be considered speculative. However, the leak provides a fascinating insight into Nvidia’s potential strategies for navigating the market dynamics of the next-generation GPU race.
