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There was a time when spending $500 on a graphics card felt extravagant. That kind of money bought you a serious high-end GPU, and $300 could get you something pretty capable. Fast-forward to today, and those numbers almost seem quaint.

Our latest GPU pricing update paints a rather depressing picture. Graphics card prices have climbed 35% in just the last three months, with mainstream models selling well above their original MSRPs. An RTX 5070 that was supposed to cost $549 now sells for around $900 in the US, while the high-end market has become increasingly detached from what most gamers would consider reasonable.

Of course, everyone's budget and priorities are different. Some enthusiasts are perfectly comfortable dropping $1,000 or more on a GPU they'll use for several years.…