Asus Winds Down RTX 5070 Ti Production Amid Memory Shortage

Asus has officially ceased production of its RTX 5070 Ti and 16GB RTX 5060 Ti graphics cards. The decision comes as the tech giant faces a critical shortage of memory components, forcing it to place these specific models into end-of-life status.

The move highlights a growing crisis in the semiconductor supply chain, where high demand for GeForce RTX GPUs is colliding with constrained memory availability. While Nvidia continues to manufacture chips, partner manufacturers like Asus are struggling to secure the necessary components to build complete graphics cards.

The news broke on Thursday when Hardware Unboxed reported direct confirmation from Asus. According to the tech outlet, Asus explicitly stated that the RTX 5070 Ti is facing a severe supply shortage. Consequently, the company has placed the model into end-of-life status, signaling the end of its production run.

This status applies to more than just the 5070 Ti. The same supply constraints have impacted the 16GB RTX 5060 Ti. Both cards are now effectively discontinued, leaving retailers to sell through remaining inventory without the promise of future restocks.

The immediate impact is already being felt in global markets. Retailers in Australia have specifically reported significant trouble sourcing these products. The inability to secure stock suggests the shortage is not isolated to a single region but is a widespread logistical challenge affecting the entire distribution network.

While Asus is winding down specific models, the parent chip designer maintains a different operational status. Ben Berraondo, Nvidia's director of global public relations for GeForce, addressed the situation in a statement. He confirmed that Nvidia itself is still actively producing these GPU chips.

Demand for GeForce RTX GPUs is strong, and memory supply is constrained. We continue to ship all GeForce SKUs an …

Berraondo's statement clarifies the division of labor in the hardware ecosystem. Nvidia manufactures the core silicon, while partners like Asus design the custom boards, coolers, and packaging. The memory shortage is preventing Asus from completing these cards, even though Nvidia continues to ship the underlying processors.

The core issue remains the global memory supply. High-bandwidth memory (HBM) and standard GDDR modules are in fierce demand across multiple industries, from AI data centers to consumer electronics. This competition for resources is creating bottlenecks that manufacturers are struggling to navigate.

The discontinuation of these two specific models creates a void in the mid-to-high-end GPU market. The RTX 5070 Ti was positioned as a popular choice for enthusiasts seeking high performance without the absolute top-tier price tag of the 5080 or 5090 series.

Consumers looking for these specific cards may face two scenarios:

• Prices for remaining stock will likely increase due to scarcity.
• Buyers may need to look at alternative models that are still in production.

Retailers are currently managing depleting inventory. Without a clear timeline for when memory supply will normalize, shops are unable to guarantee when—or if—these specific Asus models will return. The situation forces consumers to pivot to other brands or different Nvidia chip variants that are not affected by the same component shortages.

This development is a microcosm of the hardware industry's ongoing struggle with supply chain volatility. Even as demand for AI and gaming hardware reaches all-time highs, the physical components required to build them remain the limiting factor.

The memory shortage is particularly impactful because it affects a wide range of products beyond just graphics cards. Smartphones, servers, and automotive electronics all rely on the same memory manufacturers. When supply tightens, the entire tech sector feels the squeeze.

For Asus, prioritizing production on higher-margin or more readily available SKUs is a necessary business decision. However, it leaves a gap in the market that competitors may look to fill with their own stock, assuming they have secured adequate memory supply.

The immediate future of the RTX 5070 Ti and 16GB RTX 5060 Ti remains uncertain. While Nvidia continues to push silicon out the door, the bottleneck at the board partner level suggests these specific models will remain scarce for the foreseeable future.

For now, the market is in a state of flux. Supply constraints are dictating availability, and consumers must navigate a landscape where specific configurations may disappear as quickly as they appear. The memory shortage shows no signs of immediate resolution, meaning the tech industry will likely continue to adapt to these component realities throughout the year.