Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 launch looks imminent — here's the proof

Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080
(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Nvidia has reportedly halted production of its current-generation Turing GeForce graphics cards, which suggests the launch of the GeForce RTX 3080 and its fellow Ampere GPUs could be incoming. 

According to Chinese website ithome and WCCFTech, the majority of high-end GeForce RTX 20-series graphics cards are being discontinued and major vendors will soon be delisting them. All this points towards preparations for the GeForce RTX 30-series graphics cards launch, likely in August or September. 

With the likes of the GeForce RTX 2080 Ti, RTX 2080, and RTX 2070 Super getting discontinued, Nvidia will be making way for a new series of graphics cards built around its new Ampere GPU architecture that will take their place. It looks like the mid-range GeForce RTX 2060 might stick around a little longer, but that card would probably be replaced not long after the high-end Ampere card launch, likely with what will probably be the GeForce RTX 3060. 

The Ampere-based next-generation GeForce graphics cards are expected to bring in a hike in overall performance over their predecessors. But they are also predicted to deliver a proper boost in ray-tracing capabilities; that’ll be handy given the PS5 and Xbox Series X have ray-tracing support, which could mean more games with the sophisticated light rendering technique supported. There’s even world that new high-end GeForce cards could even support co-processors dedicated for ray-tracing duties, but this doesn’t seem too likely. 

Discontinuing the GeForce 20-series could mean a shortage of current-generation graphics card, meaning retailers wouldn’t need to shift them to get rid of old stock. The knock-on effect of that, according to WCCFtech, is that retailers won’t boost the price of the Ampere cards at launch just to tempt people to buy the older graphics cards instead to clear up their inventory. 

As such, when the new GeForce GPUs arrive, they could be priced more competitively at launch than their predecessors. We’ll have to wait a month or so before we find out what will happen and how impressive the new GeForce graphics cards will be. 

Roland Moore-Colyer

Roland Moore-Colyer a Managing Editor at Tom’s Guide with a focus on news, features and opinion articles. He often writes about gaming, phones, laptops and other bits of hardware; he’s also got an interest in cars. When not at his desk Roland can be found wandering around London, often with a look of curiosity on his face. 

Latest in GPUs
nvidia rtx 50 series
RTX 5060 Ti release date just tipped for April 16 — HP seemingly confirms Nvidia's next-gen GPUs
Pictures of a PC post-fire
My PC caught on fire recently twice — 5 tips to protect your rig from a similar fate
Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 on a green and black patterned background
RTX 5090 price continues to rise — prepare to spend around $3,000 for Nvidia's GPU
Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti
I'm worried about the latest Nvidia RTX 5060 price leak — but one thing could change my mind
RTX 50 series GPUs
I was hyped for Nvidia's RTX 5060 Ti and RTX 5050 — until I saw these leaked specs
Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti
RTX 5070 can't match RTX 4090 performance in new benchmark — despite Nvidia's claims
Latest in News
AI Mode of google search
Google’s making it easier to start new AI Mode searches — here’s how
Gemini logo on smartphone
Google Gemini Gems now available to all users without a subscription
DeepSeek login in page displayed on smartphone
DeepSeek R1 just got even smarter with a new upgrade — here's what's changed
Galaxy S25 Ultra from the back
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leak claims a massive upgrade is coming to all three cameras
CAD renders of the Google Pixel 10
Pixel 10 could include a repurposed ‘Pixie’ assistant — but what actually happened?
Galaxy S25 Edge dummy unit from side angle
Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge design just shown off on video from every angle with seemingly accurate dummies