NVIDIA will no longer supply GDDR memory modules alongside GPUs to board partners, according to a new rumor.
A new claim from hardware leaker The Golden Pig Upgrade Pack suggests that graphics card manufacturer may be changing how it does business with board partners. According to the leaker’s post on Weibo, NVIDIA will stop bundling GDDR memory modules with its GPU cores when supplying chips to Add-In-Card (AIC) partners. Such a step is expected to bring major changes in how GPU components move through the supply chain, and could have serious implications for smaller board makers.
NVIDIA has previously old its partners a combined package containing both the GPU die and preselected memory chips. This arrangement simplified procurement, guaranteed compatibility, and left AICs responsible only for sourcing the remaining components such as VRMs, PCBs, and cooling systems. Memory pairing was handled entirely by the GPU manufacturer, which ensured consistent performance and reduced negotiation overhead for board partners.
According to The Golden Pig Upgrade Pack, this is now changing due to ongoing memory shortages. NVIDIA will allegedly ship only the GPU die, leaving board partners responsible for acquiring their own GDDR memory. In the insider’s words, “Previously, AICs got both the GPU core and the memory directly from [NVIDIA]. Now people online are saying only the core will be supplied, and AICs must source the memory themselves. For small AICs that never built relationships before, when they now try to negotiate for memory, suppliers simply ignore them, meaning they basically can’t continue in the graphics card business.”
By allegedly offloading memory procurement to partners, NVIDIA will, in turn, offload risk onto AICs. DRAM pricing is known for rapid fluctuations, and negotiating allocations with suppliers such as Micron or Samsung can be challenging even for large manufacturers. Smaller brands, especially those without established connections, may find themselves unable to secure memory at all, resulting in a substantial delay in the availability of their GPU lineups. This will ultimately tighten the market further and reduce consumer choice.
