The ongoing memory shortage continues to affect the PC hardware market, and even major GPU manufacturers are not immune to the problem. We’ve already seen the prices of components increasing significantly (though some deals are still out there), and now new reports suggest that Nvidia may be preparing an unusual update to its entry-level graphics card lineup.

According to recent leaks, the company could release a new variant of the RTX 5050 with increased VRAM in the coming months.

RTX 5050 with 9GB of VRAM

The information comes from well-known hardware leaker MEGAsizeGPU, who has shared details about a possible new configuration for the RTX 5050. If the leak is accurate, Nvidia may replace the current 8GB GDDR6 memory with 9GB of GDDR7 memory using newer 3GB modules.

This would lead to an unusual specification change. The current RTX 5050 uses a 128-bit memory bus paired with 20Gbps GDDR6 memory, delivering around 320 GB/s of bandwidth. The rumored version would instead use a 96-bit memory interface, but the faster 28Gbps GDDR7 chips would increase total bandwidth to roughly 336 GB/s. Despite the narrower bus, the faster memory could still deliver a small performance improvement, along with a 12.5% increase in VRAM capacity.

If these details are correct, most of the core specifications would remain unchanged. The GPU would still use Nvidia’s GB207 die, based on the Blackwell architecture, with 2,560 CUDA cores and a 130W power rating. No changes to clock speeds have been mentioned so far, though those details may appear closer to launch.

Back when the RTX 5050 launched, reviews seemed to suggest that you should probably just buy an RTX 5060 instead. This time around, however, the extra gigabyte of VRAM is an interesting selling point, assuming the price remains light on your wallet. Speaking of reviews, well-known GPU reviewers and YouTubers Hardware Unboxed seem to have backed up claims about the RTX 5050 9GB launch – simply replying to news with “Review at Computex”. The tech conference takes place from June 2-6 this year.

The reason behind this unusual configuration could be related to supply issues. The global demand for memory, especially due to AI data centers, has placed pressure on component availability. Switching to GDDR7 modules could be Nvidia’s way of adapting to changing supply conditions while still improving the card slightly.

About the Author

Abdul Haddi

Abdul is a tech writer and Editor for PC Guide, specializing in all things tech, gaming, and hardware.