Graphics card wholesale prices are on the rise once again in China, so it’s time to brace yourself for even more GPU pricing pain

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Graphics card wholesale prices are on the rise once again in China, so it's time to brace yourself for even more GPU pricing pain

According to hardware outlet ChannelGate, the wholesale spot prices of several RTX 50-series graphics cards are on the rise once again in China, which is an ominous indicator for consumer pricing worldwide.

The 16 GB RTX 5080 is said to have increased by around 2000 CNY, which equates to around $300, while the RTX 5070 Ti has seen an increase of around 600 CNY ($90). In the RTX 5080’s case, that puts the current wholesale spot price at around 14,500-15,000 yuan, which equates to a truly stunning $2,171-$2,246 range when converted to US dollars.

Retail graphics card pricing has already gone bananas in recent months, with US prices surging to hitherto unthinkable levels. The cheapest RTX 5080 we can currently find is a wallet-aching $1,850, while a mere $70 separates the RTX 5050, RTX 5060, and RTX 5060 Ti 8 GB on our GPU deals page.

Yes, that means the cheapest RTX 5050 we can currently find is $400. That’s a silly price for Nvidia’s slowest gaming GPU of the current generation.

While the 16 GB RTX 5080 has seen the largest jump in price so far (exacerbated by its reported discontinuation in favour of a 24 GB version), ChannelGate also says that Asus has just updated its pricing policy across the stack.

(Image credit: Future)

This amounts to a 1000 yuan ($150) increase for the RTX 5080 16 GB, a 200 yuan ($30) increase for the RTX 5070 Ti, RTX 5070, and RTX 5060 Ti 16 GB, and a 100-300 yuan increase for all AMD cards.

While some of those increases may seem small, they’re an indication that we might be looking at an even grimmer winter for anyone who wants to upgrade their graphics card for reasonable cash. And without a major change, likely a grim 2027, too.

But hey, ChannelGate does give us some info on the expected wholesale price of the mooted RTX 5080 24 GB. The outlet says it could potentially reach 19,999 yuan. That’s, err, just under $3,000 at the current exchange rate.

Well, this is all very depressing news. The global memory crisis continues to bite, working alongside GPU production shortages to create a graphics card market that looks increasingly ridiculous as the months go on. At least gaming monitors are still pretty cheap? Silver linings, and all that.

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## Guillermo del Toro: A Love for Video Games and the Struggles of Adaptation

Guillermo del Toro, the celebrated director known for masterpieces like *Pan’s Labyrinth* and *The Shape of Water*, possesses a significant enthusiasm for video games. Although he has engaged in the gaming realm, including the unsuccessful endeavor to produce the game *Insane*, del Toro has shown no interest in revisiting that path. His journey, however, uncovers an intriguing overlap between video games and film—particularly his efforts to translate video games into cinematic formats.

### The Effort to Adapt *BioShock*

In a recent discussion with *IGN*, del Toro disclosed that he once contemplated the creation of a film adaptation of the beloved game *BioShock*. Nevertheless, his conversations with the game’s producers left him feeling disheartened. Del Toro pointed out that the storytelling mechanics in video games are profoundly different from those in films. “I find that the mechanics of a video game are quite distinct from a film,” he remarked.

Del Toro expanded on the challenges of adapting a title like *BioShock*, emphasizing that while both formats can employ cinematic methods such as camera angles, the experiences they convey are vastly dissimilar. “You’re not solving puzzles. You’re not assembling,” he noted, suggesting that the interactive essence of video games introduces unique hurdles in narrative construction.

His dialogue with the developers turned “disastrous,” ultimately leading him to state, “So no, I’m fucking done.” This remark encapsulates his disappointment and hesitation to engage in similar projects moving forward.

### Del Toro’s Affection for Gaming

In spite of the hurdles in adapting games, del Toro remains a dedicated admirer of particular video games. His favorites encompass *Left 4 Dead*, *Death Stranding*, and *Shadow of the Colossus*, each connecting with him on different levels. He values *BioShock* not only for its gameplay but for the engaging universe it presents, one where he expresses he could “get lost in for ages.”

Interestingly, del Toro revealed a lighter side to his gaming habits: he frequently plays *Angry Birds*, asserting his proficiency in it. “Every day in my life, every moment I have free, I’m still playing *Angry Birds*,” he joked, revealing a playful dimension to his otherwise earnest approach to filmmaking and storytelling.

### The Prospects of the *BioShock* Film

Although del Toro has distanced himself from the notion of adapting games, the *BioShock* film continues to be in development. Since 2010, it has gone through numerous production phases, and in 2022, 2K Games announced that the adaptation would be produced for Netflix. In 2024, a producer linked to the project suggested that while it remains in progress, budget limitations would steer it towards a more character-focused narrative rather than an expansive spectacle.

Roy Lee, the producer of the film, commented, “It’s going to be a more personal perspective, as opposed to a grander, bigger project,” indicating a shift towards character-oriented storytelling in the adaptation. This alteration suggests a potential chance to delve into the thematic richness of *BioShock* within a more manageable scope.

### Conclusion

Guillermo del Toro’s experiences illustrate the intricacies and challenges filmmakers encounter when traversing the domain of video game adaptations. His frank comments regarding the obstacles he faced during his attempt to adapt *BioShock* emphasize the subtle variances between the two narrative forms. While he may have set aside the pursuit of adaptation, his enduring passion for gaming and its stories continues to influence and inspire his cinematic work. As the development of the *BioShock* film advances, it remains to be seen how the fusion of del Toro’s artistic vision and the game’s compelling storytelling will eventually unfold.