Concerns arise in China over the GEFORCE RTX 4090 graphic card from NVIDIA as the last restrictions on the export of advanced semiconductors to China take effect. This high-end device is widely used by video creators and graphic designers in the country to enhance computer performance.
These concerns intensified when NVIDIA, the world’s largest semiconductor company, removed their RTX 4090 graphic cards and other products from their official store on the Chinese trading platform JD.com. Major hardware partners of NVIDIA in China, including ASUSTEK Computer, Micro-STAR International (MSI), and Colorful Technology, also stopped selling RTX 4090 in their online stores at Taobao and JD.com.
Following the announcement of new technological export controls by the US Department of Trade, the retail price of the RTX 4090 experienced a significant surge to 15,000 yuan (approximately $2,050).
NVIDIA is particularly affected by the new restrictions as they now prohibit the sales of two lower-powered graphics artificial intelligence processors (AI) – A800 and H800. These processors are modified versions of the high-end A100 and H100 NVIDIA models, which were previously prohibited for export to China last year.
The RTX 4090 graphics card, released in September 2022, utilizes advanced graphic processors created through a 5-nanometer technological process. Its AI-based chips provide enhanced creativity and highly efficient performance for tasks such as 3D rendering, 8K video editing, and high-speed gaming on Windows-based personal computers.
Currently, Chinese consumers still have the option to purchase available stock of RTX 4090 graphic cards from various third-party sellers online and in retail stores. However, prices in some third-party stores on Taobao have escalated to between 40,000 and 50,000 yuan, nearly three times higher than NVIDIA’s recommended retail price.