When it comes to PC gaming, enthusiasts are all about the GPU cards. They represent a consummate and integral part of any system's hardware, but with retailers and online stores struggling to get any of the current hardware in, upgrading one's computer is becoming a bit of a headache. Nvidia have even announced they are looking to release a series of graphics cards specifically aimed at cryptocurrency mining to help ebb the shortages. However, all that may be for naught anyway as it could be next year before supplies become optimal again.

According to a recent report, PC users may have to wait a little while longer until they can get hold of either an AMD or Nvidia GPU as demand for modern graphics cards continues to exceed the supply that's available. Shortages are expected to go on until at least 2022, and while there are efforts being put into place to counter the low supplies, this could take months to have an affect.

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This demand is allegedly down to the current lockdown in which gamers are finding themselves confined to their homes for the duration of the pandemic. The situation is not being helped by scalpers and eBay bots buying up stock making it difficult, if not nearly impossible, for other customers to get hold of any of it. Such a deficit is possibly the reason why the Nvidia RTX 3080 Ti has received one of the market's biggest blows.

As well as high demand, sources indicate that a shortage of semiconductors, which go towards making the GPUs, is also making it difficult for manufacturers to match the consumer need for hardware. This means that even when Nvidia or AMD make an announcement about a new card, it's marred by the fact that no one's even sure if they'll be able to get hold of one on launch day.

The reality of the situation does seem to be bleak at the minute. With stories coming out of the fold which state that fewer than twenty Nvidia RTX 3080 GPUs are available per country in South Asia, it's not surprising that PC gamers are probably concerned about the state of upgrades. Even in places where supplies are plentiful, they risk being bought up by miners who seem only interested in cryptocurrency. As AMD and Nvidia continue to push out products to an uncertain market, all consumers can do is twiddle their thumbs as stocks continue to be elusive until the near future.

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Source: PC GamesN, Market Watch