RTX 5080 on the way out: Nvidia reportedly plans refresh with 24 GB VRAM

TVS News AI, editorially supervised, presents RTX 5080 on the way out: Nvidia reportedly plans refresh with 24 GB VRAM.

Nvidia is reportedly tinkering with its high-end GPU lineup — and the next cut hits the RTX 5080. According to gaming site GameStar, the current 5080 is set to be replaced by a new edition with 50 percent more video memory. The current 16 GB of GDDR7 would thus likely become 24 GB — a jump many gamers had hoped for since launch.

That it's precisely the second-best Blackwell card being sharpened up fits the pattern: first the RTX 5090, now the RTX 5080. Nvidia appears to be restructuring its high-end lineup piece by piece — or, depending on how you read it, phasing out the current line-up faster than many had expected.

What's really behind the rumor, when the refresh will arrive, and whether it lands on shelves under a new name or as a quiet update all remain open. We're pulling together what GameStar is reporting — and what it could mean for you if you're currently considering picking up a high-end GeForce.

What's leaked so far — 16 GB apparently wasn't enough

GameStar puts it cautiously but clearly: "Unlike the RTX 5090, the RTX 5080 is to be replaced by a new edition with more memory." The report's headline then spells out the number: 50 percent more memory compared to the current model. With 16 GB of GDDR7 in today's RTX 5080, that would work out to 24 GB — identical to what the RTX 5090 has offered from the start.

Whether the refresh will carry the suffix "Super", "Ti", or even "5080 (2026)," the report doesn't say. Price, timing, and clock speeds also remain open. What's certain is that Nvidia apparently doesn't see the current top tier as settled — otherwise it wouldn't be rolling out a new edition months after launch.

First the 5090, now the 5080 — Nvidia's high-end is shifting

The alleged move around the RTX 5080 isn't a solo maneuver. GameStar explicitly frames it as part of a larger reshuffle in the high-end GPU lineup. The RTX 5090 reportedly started things off and is set to be dropped from the program. For you, that means: if you're hunting for a 5090 today, that model may become scarce — and more expensive.

The direction is interesting: while the 5090 appears to be discontinued outright (its throne might be kept warm for a later, faster "5090 Ti" or a new generation), the 5080 is getting a successor with more memory. That suggests Nvidia sees the 5080 less as an end-of-life model — and more as a lesson it's looking to fix with the refresh.

What it means for buyers and upgraders

If the rumor holds, you're facing a typical refresh trap: buy now and save — or wait and get more memory. With 16 GB of VRAM in 2025, you're still well set at 1440p, but at 4K with path tracing or with high-resolution texture packs, individual games can already be pushing the limit. 24 GB would give meaningfully more breathing room.

A concrete buying recommendation can't really be drawn from a single rumor without price and timing, though. If you don't want to wait, you may get the current RTX 5080 cheaper in the coming weeks as Nvidia and board partners clear inventory. If you can live with holding off until Nvidia officially unveils the refresh, you should watch closely whether Nvidia clearly signals in the naming that it's the new edition — otherwise you could easily walk into the 16 GB trap when buying.

Until then, one thing is clear: the rumor mill around Nvidia's high-end lineup is bubbling away — and you'd do well not to make any high-end purchase without checking current prices. As soon as Nvidia officially announces the refresh or prices and dates leak, we'll look at what really changes for buyers.