Nvidia fixes the 8GB RAM problem with one of its GPUs—if you can pay for it

For gamers eager to experience the latest AAA titles at high resolutions and maximum settings, or for AI enthusiasts aiming to run complex models locally, the limitations of an 8GB video memory GPU have become increasingly apparent. The current climate of memory shortages and rising prices has made it a challenging time for GPU manufacturers to address these issues. Speculations earlier this year hinted at a delayed or canceled mid-generation refresh of Nvidia's RTX 50-series GPUs, primarily due to the high costs associated with memory. However, Nvidia has recently revealed a significant upgrade for one of its GPUs, discreetly mentioned in a routine blog post about a Game Ready driver update. The laptop variant of the GeForce RTX 5070 is set to receive an upgrade from 8GB to 12GB of GDDR7 memory, marking a 50% increase that promises to alleviate some performance limitations and enhance its longevity in the market. Aside from the additional RAM, the 12GB version of the mobile RTX 5070 retains the same specifications as its 8GB counterpart. Both versions utilize a 128-bit memory interface and come equipped with 4,608 CUDA cores. Notably, the mobile RTX 5070 employs the same GB206 silicon die as the desktop RTX 5060, rather than the more powerful GB205 die found in the desktop version of the RTX 5070. Thus, while the RAM increase is a welcome enhancement, the desktop variant continues to outperform its mobile sibling significantly.