Earlier this week, Nvidia confirmed plans to launch its long-rumoured GeForce RTX 5050 graphics card in the “second-half” of July. However, this release window doesn’t apply to all countries. Turns out that the pixel pusher will hit store shelves in China first, a touch earlier than other territories.
ITHome noticed a curious difference between the Chinese press release and product page for RTX 5050, relative to other countries. The copy for each simply states the graphics card will launch in July, with no specifics as to which half.
Following up with domestic channel source Bobantang, the outlet confirmed RTX 5050 will be for sale in China on July 1. This echoes prior rumours that suggested the graphics card would launch on that particular date. Nvidia hasn’t confirmed this publicly, but these launch plans seem all but certain.
RubyRapids, editor of ITHome, posited on X that the reason for this earlier launch is likely down to convenience. They suggest that a lack of logistical delays and supply proximity makes July 1 the most practical time for RTX 5050 sales to begin in China.
This earlier sales date suggests that Nvidia will publish drivers for RTX 5050 on the same date. This could lead to plenty of performance leaks ahead of the Western release, both from Chinese users and those in other territories with their hands on retail stock.
As far as I’m aware, Nvidia doesn’t plan to run a review program with press participation for RTX 5050 in the same way it skipped doing so for RTX 5060. I’m hopeful we and other outlets will have first-hand benchmarks and verdicts to share close to release, but leaks prior may fill the void.
Tempting as RTX 5050 is at $249, my advice remains the same for this graphics card as all others: wait. After all, it could turn out that Arc B580 emerges the better buy of the two. I look forward to finding out.
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