Nvidia's anticipated RTX 50 series Super refresh, initially slated for a reveal at CES in January 2026, failed to materialize. According to a report from The Information, Nvidia's management decided in December not to proceed with the planned launch of new gaming GPUs, opting instead to prioritize its AI chip production due to current constraints in available memory supply. The report also notes that "Nvidia is also slashing production of its existing lineup of gaming chips, the RTX 40 series, which are already in high demand and frequently sold out at retailers."

This shift in priority away from gaming GPUs aligns with Nvidia's record-breaking revenue growth, which is heavily driven by its AI chips. Data center revenue accounted for $51.2 billion of Nvidia's total $57 billion revenue in its Q3 2026 earnings report. While gaming revenue also saw a 30% year-over-year increase in the same period, its proportion of the overall business has become significantly smaller.

The delay of the RTX 50 Super series not only signifies a year without new gaming graphics cards from Nvidia but could also push back the timeline for its next-generation architecture. Sources cited by The Information indicate that the RTX 60 series, "originally scheduled to begin mass production by the end of 2027," might now be delayed until 2028 or possibly later.

As The Information points out, it's not impossible for Nvidia to accelerate the schedule for new gaming GPUs again. However, with the ongoing memory shortage driving up prices and delaying product launches across the industry—from smartphones to gaming consoles—PC enthusiasts looking for a hardware upgrade may find their plans on hold for the foreseeable future.