Will there be graphics card deals on Black Friday?
The stock shortage is over - but what does that mean for Black Friday GPU deals?
So, you're wondering whether there will be graphics card deals on Black Friday this year. I don't blame you for asking the question, as it's been a rough few years for GPU deals. From stock shortages driving up prices to custom card makers setting prices well above MSRP, it feels like some options simply just drop down to a reasonable price rather than a record low.
Thankfully, Black Friday graphics card deals in 2024 should shape up a little differently. I'm saying that based on the fact that the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 and AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX have been around for two years now, and we're sitting on the edge of a new generation of components. Shiny new Nvidia cards like the RTX 5090 are likely to pop up in 2025, and that's a good excuse for retailers and AIB partners to clear out stock with discounts.
Does that mean we're going to se mega RTX 4090 Cyber Monday GPU deals? Eh, probably not. The annoying thing is that discounts almost feel like they only apply to specific cards, with last-gen cards like the RTX 3090 simply making a run for it rather than dropping in price. But, I do have plenty of pointers that should help you grab offers if and when they become available, regardless of if they apply to flagship parts or not.
Which graphics card will be on offer for Black Friday?
It might sound obvious, but older graphics cards are more suspectable to discounts during Black Friday. In fact, that goes for any time of the year, and the emergence of a successor normally means deep discounts on previous gen options. That said, you'll want to be careful before pouncing on reduced 30-series cards like the RTX 3060, as even discounted price tags are sometimes only $20 more than the RTX 4060. We'd say that's not a very Black Friday move for a retailer to pull, and we're expecting better during this year's event.
We'd also advise caution when jumping on even older cards like the Nvidia GTX 1660, as while it's been a popular low spec option for some time, it might not be the best investment. Sure, if you can get it for a ridiculously good price, then batter in. Just make sure to check out newer models in case there's a discount that fits your budget, as you'll ultimately end up with something that's better value.
But what about newer contenders like Nvidia's RTX 4000 series? Well, it's somewhat good news on that front too. As mentioned above, the RTX 4080 managed to reach a record low price before we could even get to Black Friday, but we didn't see any movement with its RTX 4090 sibling. Same goes for the newer RTX 4060 cards, with the lower-mid range end of the scale being occupied mainly by smaller RTX 4070 Super discounts.
On the red side of things, AMD is much more receptive to price cuts, and we've already witnessed some MSRP shifts across the whole RDNA 3 range. This has lead to some ridiculous offers like the RX 7900 XTX dropping to $799, which is absolutely something I'm holding out for, and I'd even take a few mid-range record lows.
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As for the best place to start your Black Friday hunt, we'd suggest starting with the retailers down below first before broadening your search. Most of the time, you'll find each retailer sticking with the exact same price, but deviations from the status quo do happen and provide you with an opportunity to strike lucky.
Best Buy
Historically, Best Buy has held some of the better graphics card deals over the Black Friday period, especially when it comes to entry-level and mid-tier GPUs. There are currently few options available on its website, but it's definitely one to keep an eye on in the next week or so in case anything changes.
Should I wait for Black Friday to buy a graphics card?
As hard as it may be to believe, the GPU market is in a much calmer state than it has been in previous years. We've previously recommended that you take whatever stock and whatever deals you can get on the best GPUs, but now we'd absolutely recommend waiting for Black Friday GPU deals.
There are bound to be amazing deals, and with a new generation of graphics cards releasing, there are plenty of powerful GPUs that will most likely have stock to spare. Unless it's a real emergency, we'd recommend waiting for Black Friday so your money goes as far as possible.
To get an idea of the sorts of prices you may need to spend on an entry level GPU this Black Friday, we've listed some decent prices below for the cards we most expect to see go on offer this month.
Make sure to swing by our Black Friday SSD deals page if you're in need of a capacity boost, and we've also Black Friday gaming laptop deals for those of you who like to game on the go.
I’ve been messing around with PCs, video game consoles, and tech since before I could speak. Don’t get me wrong, I kickstarted my relationship with technology by jamming a Hot Wheels double-decker bus into my parent’s VCR, but we all have to start somewhere. I even somehow managed to become a walking, talking buyer’s guide at my teenage supermarket job, which helped me accept my career fate. So, rather than try to realise my musician dreams, or see out my University degree, I started running my own retro pop culture site and writing about video games and tech for the likes of TechRadar, The Daily Star, and the BBC before eventually ending up with a job covering graphics card shenanigans at PCGamesN. Now, I’m your friendly neighbourhood Hardware Editor at GamesRadar, and it’s my job to make sure you can kick butt in all your favourite games using the best gaming hardware, whether you’re a sucker for handhelds like the Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch or a hardcore gaming PC enthusiast.
- Duncan RobertsonHardware Editor