The clearest indicator of a new Nvidia graphics card generation on the horizon is the cessation of production for the current lineup. Recent reports suggest that Nvidia has halted production for most RTX 4000 GPUs, with only the AD107 chip—used in the RTX 4060 desktop and laptop cards and the mobile RTX 4050—still in production.
Speculation is mounting that Nvidia will unveil its RTX 5000 series, powered by the new Blackwell architecture, at CES in early January. Adding weight to these rumors, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is set to deliver the opening keynote at the event, marking his first appearance there since 2019.
According to a report from Board Channels (via VideoCardz), Nvidia has reallocated its production resources to focus on the RTX 5000 series. The AD106 production line—responsible for GPUs in the RTX 4060 AD106 variant, 4060 Ti, and 4070—has reportedly been shut down. This follows the cessation of production for the AD102, AD103, and AD104 chips, leaving only the AD107 line active.
The shift in production comes as Nvidia enters the final clearance phase for RTX 4000 cards. A look at the latest Steam Hardware Survey shows the RTX 4060 laptop GPU as the second-most popular card among participants, trailing only the RTX 3060. The desktop RTX 4060 ranks third, with the RTX 4050 holding the twentieth spot.
A post from Board Channels elaborates:
"The RTX 40 series has entered its final quarter of clearance, with mid-to-high-end RTX 40 GPUs gradually halting production and supply."
Earlier this year, reports emerged that Nvidia planned to end production of the AD102 chip used in the RTX 4090 and 4090D. These high-end Lovelace cards are currently experiencing low inventory levels, aligning with these rumors.
Nvidia is expected to launch the RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 first, possibly making them available for purchase immediately after their CES announcement. With production of nearly all RTX 4000 GPUs winding down, lower-tier Blackwell cards like the RTX 5070 and 5060 might arrive sooner than anticipated. Interestingly, there’s speculation that Nvidia could break tradition by debuting the RTX 5070 alongside its flagship models.