Nvidia’s 12GB RTX 5070 reportedly has an 18GB follow-up

3GB GDDR7 memory modules will allow Nvidia to create 18GB RTX 5070 GPUs

We have already reported on the rumours of Nvidia’s 12GB RTX 5070, and you can read our thoughts on that GPU here. To summarise, we think Nvidia needs to give more VRAM to their high-end GPU customers. Now, it looks like Nvidia plans to address this shortcoming with 18GB RTX 5070 GPU models, which will land after the GPU’s initial 12GB release model.

In a recent live stream, Moore’s Law is Dead claimed that Nvidia has plans to create 18GB RTX 5070 GPU models. Is this possible? Yes, but only with 3GB GDDR7 memory chips. Using 3GB (24Gb) GDDR7 memory chips, Nvidia can add 50% more VRAM capacity to any GPU using standard 2GB (16Gb) chips without changing their memory controller. This solves the RTX 5070’s memory capacity problem, but at the cost of using more expensive GDDR7 memory chips.

(Samsung has revealed 3GB GDDR7 memory modules)

Last month, it was also claimed that Nvidia’s RTX 5080 will be available in 16GB and 24GB flavours. This suggests that Nvidia will also be using 3GB GDDR7 chips with some RTX 50 series GPUs. This makes us wonder if Nvidia’s RTX 5060 will be available in both 8GB and 12GB forms. Will most RTX 50 series GPUs have similar VRAM oddities?

Having access to more VRAM capacity is a great thing for PC gamers. This is especially true for fans of texture mods, and those who don’t want to mess with texture settings with every new game release. Nvidia offering more VRAM to customers is a good thing. This is especially for those who use GeForce GPUs for gaming and workstation purposes.

You can join the discussion on Nvidia’s rumoured 18GB RTX 5070 GPU on the OC3D Forums.