If you have been on the lookout for a new GeForce RTX 2080 graphics card, you are probably doing what most others are doing, checking GTX 1080 and 1080 Ti prices first as a viable more affordable alternative. 

Up to a week or so ago, the GeForce GTX 1080 and 1080 Ti actually where exactly that, a viable alternative. However, if we focus on the GeForce GTX 1080 Ti for a second, you'll notice that prices everywhere are slowly going upwards. Some models with rather big steps. Especially in the USA, the prices hikes are noticeable. That can indicate one or two things, demand has picked up extremely for some reason (like last years mining craze), that or the Ti went EOL (end of life) and the stock is slowly drying out. Chatter on the web right now is that indeed the cards are not fabbed any longer, and that will drive prices upwards, and that would drive people towards the RTX series. 

Here in the EU the price dropped significantly over the summer, and while I can still see places where you can buy them at 740 EUR, the price trend is upwards now as well. Below an example of the 1080 TI Strix, during summer it dropped towards 800 EUR, and ever since November, you can see the price climb upwards again. If you have planned a 1080 Ti, you better do so now while they're in stock.

GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Prices are climbing