Tag: VRAM

  • Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 2026: RTX 5070 Ti Powers Most Powerful 14-Inch Laptop

    Key Takeaway

    – ROG Zephyrus G14 2026 (RTX 5070 Ti at 115W) offers gaming performance very close to last year’s RTX 5080 model.
    – Upgraded 12 GB VRAM on RTX 5070 eliminates a key previous downside.
    – RTX 5070 Ti remains faster than the new RTX 5070 12 GB, but rivals will be closer in performance.
    – Price is a major deciding factor: the new G14 is $3199 vs. ~$2500 for the old model.
    – Expect upcoming RTX Spark laptops to be strong competitors in this segment.

    Asus’s New G14: A Performance Leap?

    Last year, Asus developed a more powerful version of the compact ROG Zephyrus G14 with improved cooling for the two GeForce GPUS RTX 5070 Ti as well as GeForce RTX 5080. When we reviewed both models last year, the performance difference was actually not that big, which was also a result of the comparatively low TGP of 110 Watts, so both GPUs could not reach their full potential. Compared to the rivals like the Razer Blade 14 there was a significant performance advantage, because they were limited to the regular GeForce RTX 5070.

    Old Bottlenecks Addressed

    In addition to the lower performance, the smaller VRAM of 8 GB was also an issue. Nvidia recently fixed the VRAM issue with the new 12 GB VRAM version of the RTX 5070 similar to the RTX 5070 Ti. We just reviewed the updated ROG Zephyrus G14 2026 and the combination of the RTX 5070 Ti with a TGP of 115 Watts and the new Intel Panther Lake Core Ultra 9 386H offers excellent results in terms of gaming performance.

    Gaming Performance: Now Even Closer

    The results are even closer to the old RTX 5080 SKU, even though this is certainly a result of numerous driver updates as well. Overall, this means you can easily play any demanding title in the native resolution with highest details, only Raytracing requires DLSS and frame generation. We expect most rivals will get an update with the new RTX 5070 12 GB, so one of the downsides will be eliminated.

    Future Competition and Pricing

    The RTX 5070 Ti will still be faster, but overall, the devices will be closer together and the upcoming RTX Spark laptops will certainly be interesting rivals as well. The price will probably be a deciding factor, because at $3199 it is much more expensive than the old unit (currently around $2500). Considering the current memory crisis and all the improvements we talked about in our comprehensive review, this increase was somewhat expected, but it will be interesting to see how expensive the rivals with the new RTX 5070 12 GB will be.

    • GeForce RTX 5070 Ti: TGP 115 Watts
    • GeForce RTX 5080: Previous high-end option
    • Intel Panther Lake Core Ultra 9 386H
    • Base VRAM: 12 GB for updated RTX 5070
    • Pricing: $3199 for new G14
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    • Framework criticizes OpenAI over high RTX 5070 12GB graphics card price

      Framework criticizes OpenAI over high RTX 5070 12GB graphics card price

      Key Takeaway

      1. The RTX 5070 mobile GPU now offers 12 GB of VRAM, up from 8 GB, but at a significantly higher price.
      2. The $1,199 price for Framework’s RTX 5070 12 GB module is largely attributed to inflated memory costs, linked to a perceived global memory shortage.
      3. OpenAI’s alleged role in causing the memory shortage has contributed to persistent graphics card component price inflation.
      4. Future gaming laptops with the RTX 5070 12 GB are expected to be costly, potentially approaching the prices of RTX 5070 Ti systems.
      5. Consumers might find it more practical to opt for a gaming laptop with an RTX 5070 Ti, which offers similar VRAM but better performance at a comparable price.

      The Price and Availability of the RTX 5070 12 GB Laptop GPU

      The launch of the RTX 5070 laptop GPU raised some eyebrows mainly because of its VRAM. The initial version featured only 8 GB of VRAM which left many users disappointed. Finally, Nvidia decided to fix that issue by offering the mobile RTX 5070 with a substantial upgrade to 12 GB of VRAM. But, this upgrade has brought a new challenge: higher prices. Due to ongoing shortages, memory like GDDR7 has become expensive, and that expense is passed on to consumers. The additional 4 GB of VRAM in the RTX 5070 12 GB model comes with a significant cost increase, meaning more money for the same performance level.

      The Price Disparity

      Framework’s version of the RTX 5070 12 GB module is priced at $1,199, which is a hefty $500 more than its 8 GB counterpart. This sharp increase for just 4GB of VRAM seems unreasonable, yet the company explained that their hands are tied financially. The markup is primarily driven by the rising costs of GDDR7 memory, which is currently in high demand and short supply across the market. This makes the newer 12 GB modules more costly to produce, and in turn, more expensive for consumers. The price gap, which is about 70%, appears quite steep for a relatively small upgrade in VRAM.

      Speculations Behind the Price Spike

      In a unique twist, Framework hinted that OpenAI might be a contributor to the skyrocketing prices. Though the statement might be playful or sarcastic, it’s not entirely without controversy. Many experts believe OpenAI’s aggressive push to control a large chunk—about 40%—of the available global memory supply has played a role in constricting availability. This situation has contributed heavily to the overall memory shortage that affects industries from gaming to AI research. Interestingly, OpenAI has recently stepped away from some of these memory procurement plans, but the market conditions haven’t improved and prices remain high. The result is a tough environment for hardware makers and consumers alike.

      The Future of Gaming Laptops with RTX 5070

      For those waiting on gaming laptops equipped with the RTX 5070 12 GB GPU, good news is on the horizon. These laptops are expected to be available within the next few months. Once they arrive, it will be easier to see if the price premium that Framework is asking is typical or if other OEMs like Dell or Lenovo will price their models more competitively. However, early indications suggest that these laptops might be priced similar to those with the RTX 5070 Ti, which boasts comparable VRAM but offers over 20% better performance. So, if you have been planning to buy a new gaming laptop with this GPU, it might be more practical to consider a slightly more expensive but significantly faster RTX 5070 Ti model instead.

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