RTX 5070 Ti Launch: AIB Partners’ Payday as Prices Hit Absurd Heights
Nvidia’s RTX 5070 Ti is Here – But at What Cost?
The long-awaited Nvidia RTX 5070 Ti has finally launched, and if you were hoping for an MSRP bargain, I regret to inform you that you’re living in a fantasy world. While Nvidia claims a “recommended” price, actually finding a card at that price is about as likely as discovering a unicorn in your local Tesco car park.
MSRP? What MSRP?
As expected, the Founders Edition does not exist—at all. Nvidia didn’t even bother to pretend this time, leaving the market entirely to AIB (Add-In Board) partners, who have wasted no time in slapping on eye-watering price hikes.
The result? A GPU that was supposed to be a mid-range hero is now flirting with the £1000/$1200 price bracket—a figure that would make last-gen high-end GPUs blush. The 5070 Ti was meant to be a value-oriented powerhouse, but right now, it’s priced closer to a premium luxury item.
AIB Partners and Retailers: The Real Winners
Today must feel like Christmas morning for AIB manufacturers and retailers. While consumers were expecting a reasonably priced upgrade, board partners clearly saw an opportunity for a gold rush. Instead of competitive pricing, we’re getting overpriced cards with minor factory overclocks and RGB lighting that somehow justifies a £200 premium.
Meanwhile, retailers are playing the same old supply-and-demand game, pushing stock at inflated launch prices while desperate buyers scramble to secure a card. Scalping isn’t just for eBay resellers anymore—retailers are now in on the action too.
RTX 5070 Ti Pricing Breakdown (Launch Day Madness):
- MSRP (Supposedly): ~£729 ($820ish)
- Actual AIB Pricing: £900–£1000 ($1100–$1200)
- Scalper eBay Prices: Don’t even look.
Performance vs. Price – Does It Make Sense?
Here’s the real kicker—the RTX 5070 Ti is a fantastic card, but not at these prices. Early benchmarks show that it offers around a 15-20% uplift over the RTX 4070 Ti, making it a solid performer for 1440p high refresh rate gaming. But at nearly £1000, it faces stiff competition from last-gen bargains and of course the 5080.
The RTX 5080 has already been released at £1000, making the 5070 Ti’s pricing even more absurd. Why pay the same for a weaker card when the next model up is sitting right there?
Well, they are all out of stock! – but you see what I mean.
Should You Buy the RTX 5070 Ti Right Now?
In short? Absolutely not. Unless you enjoy overpaying for hardware, waiting a few weeks (or months) will likely result in better pricing as stock stabilises and retailers are forced to come back down to reality.
Instead, consider:
- Waiting for price corrections – Early adopters always pay a premium.
- Checking last-gen deals – An RTX 4080 or even a second-hand 4090 might offer better value.
- Looking at the RTX 5080 – With a £1000 price tag, it makes more sense than the overpriced 5070 Ti.
AIB Partners and Retailers are Laughing, Consumers are Crying
The RTX 5070 Ti should have been a high-performance GPU at a mid-range price, but instead, it’s an overpriced joke at the consumer’s expense. Until pricing normalises, most buyers would be better off holding onto their existing cards.
Below are screenshots from UK stores:
Overclockers – UK retailer Overclockers. These are all out of stock now an hour after launch, so people are buying them.
Currys – Here is UK retailer Currys – generally speaking on most products, they are either the cheapest or within £20, for anything from Monitors to a garden hose.
