NVIDIA has officially delayed the release of the GeForce RTX 5070 Founders Edition (FE) GPU, with the launch now expected to happen later this month instead of the previously scheduled March 5 release. This news was confirmed by Andreas Schilling, who reported that NVIDIA emailed him about the delay just hours before the review embargo was lifted. While the Founders Edition is impacted, custom models from NVIDIA’s board partners are still expected to launch, though their availability might not meet expectations.
Originally planned for a March 5 retail release, the delay of the RTX 5070 FE means those hoping to buy directly from NVIDIA may face disappointment. This follows a similar pattern seen with other GPUs like the RTX 5090, RTX 5080, and RTX 5070 Ti, which also experienced limited availability. While it’s unclear whether this delay will affect the retail launch of the AIB (Add-In Board) editions, reports suggest stock levels may not be as high as anticipated.
Despite this setback, reviews of the RTX 5070 have already been published, showing performance comparable to the RTX 4070 Super. While the RTX 5070 does not offer significant generational improvements, it still provides solid performance at a price point of $549, making it an appealing option for those looking for a mid-range GPU. However, if buyers can’t find the card at its MSRP, it might be worth considering alternatives, especially with the upcoming launch of AMD’s Radeon RX 9070 series.
The Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT, launching on March 6, will directly compete with the RTX 5070. These AMD GPUs are priced similarly at $549 for the non-XT version and $599 for the XT model, with early reports suggesting better availability. NVIDIA has not yet disclosed the reasons behind the RTX 5070’s delay, but there have been hints of performance bugs and supply issues affecting the GPU.
If the price of the RTX 5070 exceeds $600 due to aftermarket inflation or limited stock, it may be best to avoid it unless no other similarly powerful GPUs are available in your region. While the Founders Edition may face delays, it’s still expected that custom models from third-party manufacturers will hit the market soon, providing more options for consumers looking to upgrade their gaming systems.