Japan's GPU Market Reels: 16GB RTX 5060 Ti & RX 9060 XT Restricted Due to Memory Shortage

GPU Shortage Intensifies: 16GB RTX 5060 Ti and RX 9060 XT Models Hit by Memory Scarcity

Japan's PC hardware market is facing a critical juncture as major retailers begin imposing purchase limits on graphics cards. This stringent measure, driven by escalating component shortages and unpredictable supply chains, aims to ensure a fairer distribution of dwindling stock amongst a wider customer base. The situation is particularly acute for high-capacity memory configurations, with certain models becoming increasingly elusive and restocking timelines shrouded in uncertainty. This mirrors a broader trend of intense pressure on the global component market, a phenomenon that analysts predict will persist well into the first quarter of 2026.

Broader Component Crunch Fuels GPU Concerns

For months, Japanese PC builders and vendors have been sounding the alarm over volatile pricing and a general lack of essential hardware. The root of this issue lies in significant supply chain disruptions impacting memory and storage solutions. In response, several companies have temporarily halted order intake or implemented restrictions extending at least until early 2026. Compounding these supply-side challenges is a persistent, robust demand for PC components. This dual pressure has already forced many retailers and system integrators to suspend sales of specific product lines, creating a frustrating landscape for consumers and builders alike.

16GB VRAM GPUs Become Scarce Targets

The end-of-year period saw an even tighter rein on purchasing limits, with bare shelves becoming an increasingly common sight in graphics card sections of some stores. Notably, retailers are now specifically highlighting the difficulty in acquiring graphics cards equipped with 16GB of video memory. Models such as the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB and the AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB are reportedly becoming challenging to find. A representative from Dospara Akihabara Main Store elaborated on the predicament: "Memory prices continue to skyrocket. However, we have managed to secure a certain inventory, so we believe we can currently prevent situations where customers travel from afar only to be unable to complete their PC builds."

A Pricey Future for High-VRAM Graphics Cards?

While the price surge for graphics cards themselves hasn't been as dramatic as for memory and storage, one vendor offered a grim outlook: "This is just a difference in how the goods are handled, and it's only a matter of time." For consumers, the immediate concern transcends mere price hikes and extends to the very availability of desired hardware. Retailers might maintain current pricing by depleting existing stock purchased under favorable conditions. However, once new inventory arrives procured at higher costs, price adjustments are inevitable. Should the scarcity of high-VRAM graphics cards persist, these particular models are poised to be the first to feel the sting of market shortages, inevitably driving up prices due to sheer demand outstripping supply – a scenario eerily reminiscent of the cryptocurrency mining boom of yesteryears.