Nvidia has dominated the graphics and AI chip world for years. This week, the company released the RTX6000D to the Chinese market. Designed for strict United States export rules, this card was supposed to fill the gap for Chinese companies cut off from Nvidia’s top tech. You might expect a rush to buy the new card. That rush never happened, and now, Nvidia has more questions than answers.
But, what exacly went wrong for Nvidia with respect to their RTX6000D chip? Let’s talk about it –
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The sheer price point
The RTX6000D costs nearly 50,000 yuan, about $7,000. At that price, tech companies want high-end performance. Instead, companies like Alibaba, Tencent, and ByteDance have tested it and found it lacking. These industry leaders say the RTX6000D cannot match Nvidia’s earlier RTX5090 card. The twist? Though the RTX5090 is banned for sale in China, a strong grey market means it is still available for less than half the cost of the new chip.
Chinese tech buyers are using unofficial channels to buy banned hardware because it simply gives them more power for their money. Analysts once thought Nvidia would sell nearly two million RTX6000D chips through 2025. Now, there are real questions whether those cards will ever leave the warehouse.
Policy is making things more complicated. Every chip tailored for China, including the H20 and the upcoming B30A, is cut down to pass US law. The difference in power is real. Many firms are now waiting for green lights on the H20 or looking ahead to the B30A, which could be much more powerful for just a bit more money. For now, most are standing by to see what happens next.
Hardware is not just the only concern
Regulation and politics play a big role. US-China trade talks shift the rules every few months. Chinese authorities are making it tougher for firms to order from Nvidia, and there are calls to switch to domestic brands. At the same time, Beijing is investigating Nvidia for monopoly violations, adding more uncertainty for any buyer.
If you are sourcing AI gear in China, you are facing tough choices. Official Nvidia hardware is expensive and underpowered. The best performance is found in parts bought under the table, which can bring risk. For Nvidia, these weak sales are a warning that compliance alone does not guarantee a market. For China, the safest move might be waiting for the next, better option.
