When Is the Best Time to Buy a Graphics Card? US GPU Prices 2026
In the US, the best time to buy a graphics card is usually Black Friday week or a few months after a new generation launches. Use launch prices as your benchmark, then go through ShopBack before you pay at Newegg or Best Buy.
Published: 8 October 2026 · Author: Garry Shi, Cashback Expert, ShopBack US
In the US, the best time to buy a graphics card is usually Black Friday week (November 27 to November 30 in 2026) or a few months after a new GPU generation launches. Judge every deal against the launch price: NVIDIA launched the RTX 5080 at $999 and the RTX 5070 at $549, and AMD set the Radeon RX 9070 XT at $599, according to each company. Then go through ShopBack before you pay at Newegg or Best Buy.
ShopBack US is a free app and website that gives you cash back on online orders at partner stores. You start on ShopBack, then shop and pay at the store as usual, and part of what you spent comes back to you. Sign up for ShopBack before your GPU order so it is ready at checkout.
The verdict
Buy in a big sale window, judge the price against the launch price, and go through ShopBack before you pay. Graphics card prices in the US follow product launches and supply more than the calendar. That is why the two windows that usually work best are November, when Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals land at both Newegg and Best Buy, and the months after a new generation is announced, when stores clear the previous cards.
If your current card still runs your games, waiting for one of those windows usually pays. If you need a card now, compare the same model at two stores and check the price against the launch figures below before you buy.
When is the best time to buy a graphics card?
November is usually the strongest month, and the months after a new generation launches are the next best. Black Friday falls on November 27 and Cyber Monday on November 30 in 2026. Best Buy said in its September 14, 2026 holiday preview that its holiday savings start in October, with deals across gaming, computing and home theater. Newegg also runs its own named sale events through the year, so check its deals page in the weeks before you buy.
The other window is tied to launches. NVIDIA unveiled the GeForce RTX 50 series at CES on January 6, 2025, and AMD's Radeon RX 9070 cards went on sale from March 6, 2025. When a newer generation is announced, the outgoing cards often drop in price as stores make room, and second-hand supply rises as people upgrade.
Times that are usually weaker for buyers: the first weeks after a much-wanted card launches, when stock is tight. Our blog covers one example of that in the RTX 5090 supply shortage.
GPU prices: the launch prices to benchmark against
The fairest way to judge any GPU deal is against the price the chip maker set at launch. According to NVIDIA's January 6, 2025 announcement and AMD's February 28, 2025 announcement:
| Graphics card | Launch price (US) | On sale from |
|---|---|---|
| NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 | $1,999 | January 30, 2025 |
| NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 | $999 | January 30, 2025 |
| NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti | $749 | February 2025 |
| NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 | $549 | March 2025 |
| AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT | $599 | March 6, 2025 |
| AMD Radeon RX 9070 | $549 | March 6, 2025 |
Partner cards from brands such as ASUS, GIGABYTE, MSI, PNY and ZOTAC (all named by NVIDIA as launch partners) often sell above the launch price because of bigger coolers and factory overclocks. A deal at or below the launch price for the model you want is usually a good one.
GPU prices in 2026: what moves them
In 2026, GPU prices are shaped by three things: the sale calendar, stock levels, and how close the next generation is. Store prices change daily, so this guide does not quote today's prices. Instead, use these signals:
- Your own price notes. Write down the price of the card you want a few weeks before a sale, so you can tell a real drop from a short-lived markup.
- Bundles. Stores sometimes pair a card or CPU with a free game or accessory. A bundle can be worth more than a small price cut if you need the extra item.
- Seasonal events. Best Buy's holiday savings start in October in 2026, according to the retailer, and Black Friday week is the peak for both stores.
GPU prices: best deals in the US in 2026
The best GPU deals in the US in 2026 come from lining up four steps on one order. Start on ShopBack, then shop at the store as usual:
- Pick the window. Aim for Black Friday week or a store's named sale.
- Check the price against the launch price. Use the table above.
- Go through ShopBack. Open the Newegg page on ShopBack or the Best Buy page on ShopBack, tap through, and buy in the same session.
- Pay with your best rewards card. See the section on card rewards below.
Cashback lowers what you actually pay for an order. It comes back as cash, so it works like a discount on the price, not like points or miles. A worked example (illustrative): on a $749 card at an illustrative 3% rate, about $22 comes back, so the effective price is about $727. On a $1,999 card at the same illustrative rate, about $60 comes back. The real rate is the one shown on the store's ShopBack page when you shop.
Newegg vs Best Buy GPU prices: how to compare in 2026
Prices on the same card are often close, so compare the full deal: price, returns, shipping and extras. Here is what each store offers, according to its own pages at the time of writing:
| What to compare | Newegg | Best Buy |
|---|---|---|
| Range | Wide range of partner cards, plus third-party sellers | Popular models, with in-store and curbside pickup |
| Returns | Return window shown on each product page; a 15% restocking fee may apply to opened graphics cards; open box items are final sale | 60-day return window on most products for My Best Buy Plus and Total members |
| Shipping | Free return labels for eligible items 50 pounds or less | Free standard shipping on My Best Buy; free two-day shipping on Plus ($29.99 a year) |
| Extras | GPU trade-in program with credit refunded to your original payment method | Plus and Total members earn 1% back in Best Buy rewards on eligible purchases |
Which one is cheaper depends on the week. If you want to test a card for longer before deciding, Best Buy Plus's longer return window helps. If you are upgrading and have an old card to sell, Newegg's trade-in can lower the effective price.
Newegg and Best Buy GPU prices in the US: store programmes explained
Newegg trade-in. According to Newegg, you fill in a trade-in form on an eligible GPU, CPU or RAM product page, accept the offer, buy the upgrade with the trade-in in your cart, and ship the old part with a prepaid label within 14 days. Once received and accepted, the trade-in value is refunded to your original payment method.
Newegg returns. Newegg's return policy, updated August 19, 2026, says a 15% restocking fee may apply to graphics cards returned opened. New and unopened returns and items that arrive damaged or defective are not charged the fee. Third-party sellers on Newegg can set extra terms, so read the Warranty and Returns tab on the product page.
My Best Buy. According to Best Buy's June 4, 2026 announcement, My Best Buy is free with free standard shipping; My Best Buy Plus costs $29.99 a year and adds free two-day shipping, member prices, early access to sales and a 60-day return window on most products; My Best Buy Total costs $199.99 a year and adds protection plans and 24/7 tech support.
ShopBack as a step. For either store, open the store's page on ShopBack first, check the live rate and terms, tap through, and pay. ShopBack works like an automatic cash discount on your online order.
Cheapest month for GPU prices in the US: what the data says
Neither Newegg nor Best Buy publishes a month-by-month GPU price history, so no single month is guaranteed to be cheapest. The data you can rely on is the launch price table above and the dated events: Black Friday on November 27, 2026, Cyber Monday on November 30, 2026, and Best Buy's holiday savings starting in October.
A practical approach: note the price of the card you want in early October, then compare it again during Black Friday week. If the Black Friday price is at or below launch price, it is usually a good time to buy. If not, the months after the next generation is announced are the next window to watch.
Card rewards and ShopBack on the same GPU order
You can usually earn cashback and your credit card's rewards or bank card promo on the same purchase, because they come from different places. Cashback also applies on sale prices. Some merchant promo codes or payment methods can void cashback, so check the merchant's terms on ShopBack before you pay. Store gift cards and store credit can also follow different rules, so read the terms on the store's ShopBack page if you plan to use them.
Other electronics stores to compare
Other US electronics stores on ShopBack include Target, Walmart, HP and Samsung.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time of year to buy a graphics card in the US?
The best time to buy a graphics card in the US is usually Black Friday week (Black Friday is November 27 and Cyber Monday is November 30 in 2026), or a few months after a new GPU generation launches, once supply settles. Best Buy said its 2026 holiday savings start in October, with deals in gaming and computing. Whatever the date, go through ShopBack US before you pay so part of the price comes back as cash.
What did current GPUs cost at launch?
NVIDIA launched the GeForce RTX 5090 at $1,999 and the RTX 5080 at $999 on January 30, 2025, then the RTX 5070 Ti at $749 (February 2025) and the RTX 5070 at $549 (March 2025), according to NVIDIA. AMD set the Radeon RX 9070 XT at $599 and the RX 9070 at $549, on sale from March 6, 2025, according to AMD. These launch prices are the benchmark to judge any deal against.
Is there a cheapest month to buy a GPU?
Neither Newegg nor Best Buy publishes a month-by-month GPU price history, so no single month is guaranteed to be cheapest. In practice, November is usually the strongest month because of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and the months after a new generation is announced often bring lower prices on the previous generation as stores clear stock.
Is Newegg or Best Buy better for buying a graphics card?
They suit different buyers. Newegg carries a wide range of partner cards, and runs a GPU trade-in program. Best Buy offers store pickup and, for My Best Buy Plus members at $29.99 a year, free two-day shipping and a 60-day return window on most products. Compare the same model at both, then go through ShopBack before you pay.
Can I return a graphics card to Newegg after opening it?
Usually yes, within the return window, but Newegg says a 15% restocking fee may apply to graphics cards returned in opened condition. New and unopened returns and items that arrive damaged or defective are not charged the fee, and open box items are final sale, according to Newegg's return policy updated August 19, 2026. Check the Warranty and Returns tab on the product page before you buy.
How does Newegg's GPU trade-in work?
You fill in the trade-in form on an eligible GPU, CPU or RAM product page, accept the offer, buy the upgrade with the trade-in in your cart, then ship the old part with a prepaid label within 14 days. Once Newegg receives and accepts it, the trade-in value is refunded to your original payment method, according to Newegg.
Should I wait for a new GPU generation?
If your current card still runs your games well, waiting until a new generation is announced often lowers prices on the outgoing cards. If you need a card now, buying in a big sale window and checking the price against the launch price is usually a sound middle path.
How does ShopBack lower the price of a graphics card?
Start on ShopBack, then shop at the store as usual. ShopBack works like an automatic cash discount on your online order: part of what you pay comes back as cash after the order is confirmed. On a $749 card at an illustrative 3% rate, about $22 comes back, so the effective price is about $727. Check the live rate on the store's ShopBack page.
Can I use ShopBack and my credit card rewards on the same GPU order?
You can usually earn cashback and your credit card's rewards on the same purchase, because they come from different places. Cashback also applies on sale prices. Some merchant promo codes or payment methods can void cashback, so check the merchant's terms on ShopBack before you pay.
Which other stores sell graphics cards on ShopBack US?
Besides Newegg and Best Buy, ShopBack US lists electronics stores such as Target, Walmart, HP and Samsung. Graphics card range varies by store, so check the product page, then go through the store's ShopBack page before you check out.
Key takeaways
- The best time to buy a graphics card in the US is usually Black Friday week (November 27 to 30 in 2026) or a few months after a new generation launches.
- Benchmark deals against launch prices: RTX 5090 $1,999, RTX 5080 $999, RTX 5070 Ti $749, RTX 5070 $549, RX 9070 XT $599, RX 9070 $549.
- Best Buy's 2026 holiday savings start in October, according to the retailer.
- Newegg may charge a 15% restocking fee on opened graphics cards; open box items are final sale.
- Newegg's trade-in refunds the trade-in value to your original payment method once the old part is accepted.
- Start on ShopBack, then shop at Newegg or Best Buy as usual, and check the live rate on the store's ShopBack page.
Open the Newegg page on ShopBack or the Best Buy page on ShopBack before you pay, so the card you were buying anyway costs less.
Related reads
- The US Sale Calendar: When to Buy What
- Black Friday vs Prime Day vs Cyber Monday
- How to Stack Cashback with Promo Codes, Card Rewards, and Sales
- Cashback vs Card Rewards
- RTX 5090 vs RTX 5080 vs RX 9070 XT: US Holiday 2026 Buy Guide
Sources
- NVIDIA: GeForce RTX 50 Series announcement and pricing (January 6, 2025)
- AMD: Radeon RX 9070 series announcement and pricing (February 28, 2025)
- Newegg Return Policy
- Newegg Trade-In Program
- Best Buy 2026 holiday preview (September 14, 2026)
- Best Buy reward points for My Best Buy Plus and Total (June 4, 2026)
Disclaimer
The views and recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author. Graphics card prices, sale dates, return policies, restocking fees, trade-in values and membership terms are set by each retailer and manufacturer and can change. Please check Newegg, Best Buy, NVIDIA or AMD for current terms before you buy. ShopBack rates vary by store and over time; the rate shown on each store's ShopBack page when you shop is the one that applies.
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional or financial advice.
Related guides
US 2026 Sale Calendar
Time purchases around Prime Day, Back-to-School, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday. Full US sale calendar with cashback timing.
Black Friday vs Prime Day vs Cyber Monday
Prime Day peaks on Amazon; Black Friday hits most categories; Cyber Monday leads on tech. When each event wins for US shoppers.
Stack Cashback with Codes & Cards
Click through ShopBack, apply the merchant code at checkout, and pay with a rewards card. Three discounts stack on the same purchase.
Can I Stack Cashback With Credit Card Rewards in the US? (2026)
Usually, yes. In the US you can earn ShopBack cashback and your credit card's rewards on the same online order, because cashback is tied to the store and card rewards are tied to the card. A flat-rate card like Citi Double Cash earns 2%, according to Citi at the time of writing. Go through ShopBack first, then pay with that card.
