NVIDIA Announces 12GB RTX 5070 Laptop GPU

NVIDIA has introduced a new 12GB VRAM configuration for its GeForce RTX 5070 Laptop GPU, offering manufacturers an additional option amid ongoing memory supply constraints. The announcement appeared in a blog post accompanying the release of Game Ready Driver version 596.36, with the first laptops expected to ship in June from partners including ASUS, Lenovo and MSI.

The upgrade addresses strong demand for RTX GPUs by tapping into a separate supply of 24Gb GDDR7 memory modules, which use 3GB dies compared to the 2GB dies in the 16Gb GDDR7 modules of the existing 8GB model. "Demand for GeForce RTX remains strong, and memory supply is constrained," NVIDIA stated. "In order to maximize memory availability, we are releasing the GeForce RTX 5070 Laptop GPU 12GB configuration with 24Gb G7 memory. This gives our partners access to an additional pool of memory to complement the 16Gb G7 supply that currently ships with most GeForce GPUs."

The 12GB variant will coexist with the original 8GB version, without alterations to core counts, memory bus or bandwidth. Sources indicate it retains a 128-bit interface, prioritizing compatibility and ease of integration for laptop makers over a full...