Nvidia may be developing a 96GB VRAM graphics card, likely not for gamers

The RTX 50 series from Nvidia is set to launch at the end of this month, beginning with the RTX 5090 and 5080 models. While the RTX 5080 retains the same 16GB memory as its earlier version, it upgrades to GDDR7, whereas the new top-tier model boasts an impressive 32GB of VRAM, sufficient for both gaming and professional tasks. 

Recently, the topic of VRAM has gained traction, especially as modern AAA games demand increasingly more memory, prompting lower-end hardware to catch up. But what if we told you that Nvidia is potentially gearing up to launch a GPU with 96GB of VRAM shortly? Recent shipping information seems to indicate this, although it is highly likely that this card is intended for workstations rather than gaming. 

Shipping details uncovered by NBD Data, a platform that provides extensive global trade information and customs insights, revealed that a graphics card with a 512-bit memory bus and 96GB of GDDR7 was shipped late last year. 

This revelation coincides with a recent leak of a supposed RTX 5090 prototype, which is said to feature quicker memory, additional CUDA cores, and a higher thermal design power (TDP) to support those upgrades. Speculation suggests it could be a 5090 Ti, although solid evidence to confirm this is still lacking, despite Nvidia having previously trademarked the name.

Both AMD and Intel have been proactive in enhancing their GPUs with an adequate amount of memory. AMD has had a head start; its leading RX 7900 XTX comes with 24GB of memory, while Intel's new budget-oriented Battlemage cards have a range of 10 to 12GB. In contrast, Nvidia has been somewhat hesitant to implement substantial VRAM increases, with the exception of the 5090. Its CEO, Jensen Huang, recently elaborated on why the RTX 5070 has 12GB of RAM, but some enthusiasts remain unsatisfied given the fierce competition in the market.

And as always, while waiting for more exciting news, remember to use our comparison tool to find the best deal for your next favorite game.