The decline of the dollar due to tariffs is benefiting GPU prices in Europe.

      Graphics card prices have been exceptionally high for much of this year, making it difficult to find anything in stock, much less at a reasonable price. However, in Europe, we’re beginning to witness a decline in prices to more reasonable levels, and this isn’t solely due to Nvidia and AMD releasing more entry-level cards. The Trump tariffs and poor economic management have diminished the value of the dollar, resulting in lower GPU prices for everyone outside the US.

      We all desire a strong dollar, but…

      As a British individual working predominantly for American publishers, I usually appreciate dollar appreciation. Although I opposed Brexit, the resulting drop in the pound’s value proved beneficial for those of us earning in USD. While my overall income might be decreasing due to the economic downturn under Trump’s administration, the reduction in GPU prices acts as a silver lining.

      Recently, the GBP to USD exchange rate has climbed from approximately $1.22 to around $1.34. This means I lose about 10% of my monthly earnings in currency conversion, and a similar trend can be observed in the EU. The Euro is now about 10-15% stronger against the dollar than it was at the year's beginning, where the two currencies were nearly equal.

      This is leading to lower prices in France, where the RTX 5070 is now priced at 569 euros, or roughly $650, according to VideoCardz. This is down from 589 euros, which was the lowest price just a few days ago, and even lower than the 629 euros that was the best option a couple of weeks back.

      Kunal Khullar / Digital Trends

      When the card initially launched in Europe, its MSRP was around 650 euros, and currently, most RTX 5070s available across the continent are priced significantly lower.

      This follows recent price reductions for various RTX 50 graphics cards in the EU, and continues a trend that has been in place since mid-March. As the dollar has decreased in value due to the Trump administration’s economic policies, the Euro has gained strength, contributing to the decline in GPU prices in Europe.

      The original pricing was excessively high

      While it’s encouraging to see prices lower, it’s unfortunate that this has come about in such a way, indicating a return to normalcy (though we’re not quite there yet). The RTX 5070 is intended to be a mid-range card, and more so on the lower end of that spectrum. Ideally, if it were priced at the suggested $550, it would represent a fair $50 increase over the RTX 3070 (considering inflation) and $50 less than the 4070. Yet, it hasn’t reached anything near that in practice, and tariffs will likely push prices higher in the coming months.

      The RTX 5090 has been listed at over $3,000, representing a 50% increase from MSRP. Jacob Roach / Digital Trends

      Nevertheless, competition is likely to pressure the profit margins on these cards. AMD’s RX 9070 XT is already accelerating plans for a Super refresh of this generation, and its competitively priced alternatives may contribute to lowering the prices of some of these cards as stock begins to normalize.

      Additionally, we can anticipate the release of entry-level GPUs from Nvidia and AMD. The RTX 5060 Ti has just launched, and while it quickly sold out in the US, availability is much better overseas. In the UK, it's easy to find a 5060 Ti in both 16GB and 8GB models (though the latter is not recommended). Stock levels of the RTX 5060 8GB are expected to remain strong once it releases (and purchasing that one is not advisable), and AMD’s RX 9060 XT and 9060 will further intensify competition in this more affordable GPU segment.

      Under this administration, certainty is lacking

      Though there appears to be a trend of gradually stabilizing prices and a reduction in the frantic pace of tariff adjustments and trade disruptions, there are no assurances under the current administration. One consistent observation over recent months of unpredictability is that conditions can shift dramatically from day to day, and sometimes even hour to hour.

      The RX 9070 XT is the best card to be launched this year, but its pricing is just as outrageous as Nvidia’s. Yeston

      Even if currency fluctuations and increased competition contribute to price reductions in Europe, there’s no indication that GPU prices will improve in the US. In fact, GamersNexus has declared the end of affordable computing altogether — and they aren’t alone in that sentiment. While tariff exemptions may benefit some sectors in certain situations, their broad implementation carries unpredictable consequences, and graphics cards are as susceptible to this as anything else.

      Still, there is cautious optimism in Europe and the UK. Not for those of us earning in dollars — we’ll have to deal with our situation. However, EU gamers might see a glimmer of hope regarding GPU pricing. If you’ve been waiting