Nvidia, a leader in graphic processing technology, recently stirred the tech world by removing the RTX 4090 gaming card from its Chinese website. This move has sparked discussions and concerns among gamers and tech enthusiasts in China. The 4090, known for its exceptional performance, has been a favorite among video game players, and its sudden absence raises questions about supply and future availability.

Now, only RTX 4060, 4070 and 4080 are available on the Chinese website

The 4090’s removal came without explanation from Nvidia, leaving consumers speculating. This graphics card, part of Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 40 series, has been particularly popular in China due to its advanced capabilities in graphics processing. However, only its siblings—the 4080, 4070, and 4060—remain available for Chinese buyers.

Nvidia

Recent changes in U.S. export controls have raised the bar for China-bound exports of advanced graphics processing chips (GPUs). This has intensified concerns about the 4090’s future in the Chinese market. Additionally, major Chinese hardware partners of Nvidia, including AsusTek, Micro-Star International, and Shenzhen-based Colorful Technology, have also removed the RTX 4090 from their online stores, further fueling consumer anxiety.

Despite these developments, the RTX 4090 remains accessible through e-commerce retailers and unofficial channels, albeit at a premium price. The card’s scarcity and high demand have driven its price significantly higher, with listings showing substantial markups.

Interestingly, the U.S.’s October export updates intended to minimize consumer market impact by allowing exceptions for certain AI-capable, consumer-grade chips. The RTX 4090, not designed for data centers but boasting high processing performance, should have qualified for this exception. Yet, it now finds itself in a grey area, alongside banned data center GPUs.

In China, the implications of this removal extend beyond gaming. The 4090 is instrumental in applications like autonomous driving, as it powers complex perceptual functions in self-driving vehicles. Its absence could impact sectors reliant on high-end graphic processing capabilities.

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