This supply chain Sankey diagram for an Nvidia AI megachip is a handy guide to understanding just how easy it is to ruin the prices of graphics cards
Business data firm Veridion has created a visual Sankey diagram illustrating the complex supply chain behind Nvidia’s H200 AI megachip, offering insight into the intricate manufacturing process that produces some of the most expensive and powerful components in modern PCs.
Graphics cards represent among the most critical—and costly—components in gaming and AI systems. However, most consumers remain unaware of the numerous critical supply chain dependencies required to manufacture them. The H200 diagram reveals how raw materials, components, and manufacturing processes flow through multiple tiers of suppliers and manufacturers before reaching the final product.
The visualization demonstrates that GPU pricing remains vulnerable to disruptions at numerous points in the production pipeline. A single bottleneck or price increase from any critical supplier—whether in semiconductor fabrication, substrate materials, packaging, or assembly—can cascade through the chain and ultimately result in higher prices for end consumers.
This supply chain complexity has significant implications for the gaming and AI computing markets. Shortages of specific components, geopolitical trade restrictions, manufacturing delays, or supplier bankruptcies can quickly impact GPU availability and affordability. The diagram effectively illustrates why GPU prices have historically fluctuated dramatically, from the crypto mining boom to pandemic-related shortages.
While the diagram specifically addresses Nvidia’s H200 AI accelerator, the fundamental supply chain structures remain relevant for consumer graphics cards used in gaming. Understanding these dependencies helps explain why the GPU market experiences periodic price volatility and why major tech companies invest heavily in securing long-term supply agreements. The visualization serves as a useful reference for those seeking to comprehend the hidden complexity and fragility within the modern semiconductor supply chain.