NVIDIA Reportedly Revives RTX 3060 Amid AI Chip Shortage

Reports indicate that NVIDIA plans to resume production of the RTX 3060 graphics card. This decision is reportedly driven by shortages of newer components and high demand from the AI sector. The card was originally released in early 2021.

Information regarding the return of the RTX 3060 comes from a reputable leaker identified as Hongxing2020. Reports suggest that NVIDIA intends to restart production of the GPU sometime within the next few months. The card was originally launched at the beginning of 2021.

The leaker shared an update on social media stating, "01.05update rtx3060 Q1 come back… 🥲". This indicates a potential return in the first quarter of the year. The move to bring back a card that was officially phased out in 2024 is unusual for the technology sector.

The primary reason for bringing back an older GPU is the massive demand for hardware driven by Artificial Intelligence. Tech companies have been acquiring PC parts, specifically graphics cards and RAM, for AI applications at a rapid pace. This surge in demand has created significant shortages for regular consumers.

These shortages have led to price increases across the board. The situation has become so severe that it is described as a legitimate challenge for a regular person to purchase necessary components. Specifically, obtaining GDDR7 RAM has become difficult. This type of memory is essential for the newer RTX 5060 cards, creating a bottleneck for NVIDIA's latest hardware releases.

Despite being phased out, the RTX 3060 remains a popular choice among gamers. With the difficulty in acquiring newer cards, the 3060 serves as a functional alternative, even if it represents a downgrade in performance. The original Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the card was approximately $329.

It remains unclear what price point NVIDIA will set for the revived card. While one might expect a lower price for five-year-old technology, the current market conditions give manufacturers significant leverage. The high demand for generative AI capabilities may allow NVIDIA to maintain higher pricing despite the older architecture.

The potential return of the RTX 3060 highlights the unprecedented strain the AI boom is placing on the global hardware supply chain. As tech giants continue to prioritize AI infrastructure, consumer availability of standard graphics cards remains compromised. This situation suggests that older hardware will likely remain relevant and potentially expensive until supply chains stabilize to meet the dual demands of AI development and gaming.