Nvidia's Blackwell GB205 chip may shift from high-end to mid-range RTX cards

Nvidia's Blackwell GB205 chip, originally intended for high-end RTX 5070 and RTX 5070 Ti models, may not meet the expected performance targets. Reports now suggest the company could redirect the chip to lower-tier graphics cards instead. This shift follows concerns over its full utilisation in the current lineup.

The GB205, part of Nvidia's Blackwell architecture, was designed with a theoretical maximum of 6,400 shaders. However, the RTX 5070 and RTX 5070 Ti appear unable to harness this full capacity. As of March 2026, no consumer GeForce models using the chip have been released, with its primary use so far limited to professional Quadro/RTX cards.

The RTX 5060 Ti and RTX 5060, both based on the GB206, feature 4,608 and 3,840 shaders respectively—far below the GB205's potential. Yet, the GB205's memory bus can be configured to match the GB206's 128-bit setup by disabling two of its 32-bit controllers. Rumours also suggest the RTX 5050 could include 9 GB of GDDR7 memory, aligning with earlier leaks.

With a surplus of GB205 chips, Nvidia may repurpose them for the 60-series cards. This move could help clear excess stock while meeting demand in the mid-range market.

The GB205's future now looks uncertain in its original high-end role. If repurposed for the RTX 5060 or similar models, it would mark a shift in Nvidia's strategy. The decision could also impact the availability and pricing of upcoming Blackwell-based graphics cards.