The GeForce RTX 5090 and GeForce RTX 5080, two new high-end consumer GPUs for gamers, creators, and developers based on NVIDIA’s “Blackwell” architecture, will be very difficult to find at launch despite their relatively high starting prices of $1,999 and $999, respectively, according to a message that NVIDIA staff posted to the company’s official GeForce Graphics Cards forum this morning.
“We expect significant demand for the GeForce RTX 5090 and 5080 and believe stock-outs may happen,” Tim@NVIDIA writes to those who were curious as to whether or not they’d be able to get a Blackwell gaming GPU on launch day, which is just days away, with retailers prepared to let loose on Thursday, January 30. “NVIDIA & our partners are shipping more stock to retail every day to help get GPUs into the hands of gamers.”
NVIDIA’s message comes a day after reddit learned that some customers have already begun camping out at Micro Center, a business that describes itself as the #1 tech retailer in the U.S., with various brick-and-mortar locations spread out over 20 states.
“While we know that you’re just as excited for this as we are, we do discourage camping at our locations for the 5090 and 5080,” Micro Center said in a video that was posted to its official YouTube channel on January 15. “Guys, it’s January, and let’s face it, it’s really cold out there. Now for lines and purchases on launch day, we’re implementing a voucher system.”
“The people camping clearly don’t have jobs unless they have a crazy remote setup going so they rely on this scalping BS for money,” reads a reply from one critic.
“I just thought about it. They’re likely paying a homeless person to just chill outside Microcenter,” another said.
Discussion (19 replies)
Join Discussion →Meanwhile MSI just said that supply will be extremely low as they did not receive a lot of GPU's from Nvidia. Makes me think that Nvidia is manipulating the market to keep values as high as possible,
The 'camping out' part of this story has gotten quite a bit of talking on various forums and most are agreeing that these folks are scalpers. I did read somewhere about the two tents representing "15 or 16 slots" for the line when it actually starts which actually has infuriated more than a few folks. I can't remember if it was something said to staffers at that MC or perhaps a sign left beside the tents or the exact number of slots but it was something to that effect.
Its really so simple.... Dont buy from scalpers! I dont get why scalpers dont get burned... They should all the time.
If sanity would prevail they would get burned. But I guess the economy is not so bad if so many are willing to pay double for an already $2000 video card.
FOMO will rule the day for plenty of folks. I'll wait and get my 5090 when stock stabilizes. If I get a 5090.
8 saw that msi is holding off until the second week of February to release their 5090s for sale.
I really hope microcenter had some heroic anti scalper policies.
How can you miss out on something that will only become more available as time goes on? I always get my upgrade around the middle of the life cycle. And I'm probably skipping the 5xxx series just as I did with the 3xxx. I'd probably have skipped the 1xxx too, had my 980Ti not died prematurely.
well, as far as MSI goes. . .
[URL unfurl="true"]https://videocardz.com/newz/msi-delays-geforce-rtx-5090-official-us-store-availability-to-february-6[/URL]
Is it... I mean you CAN walk in a buy a 9800x3d from microcenter TODAY. Everywhere else is out and they are scalped online.
They can limit the amount of cards one person can buy, but they can't force the buyers to keep them for themselves.
Given there is very limited initial stock I don't doubt they will sell out online in seconds and pretty fast in stores too.
That I can agree with sadly.
I'd imagine that people that are ready to fork over $2k+ for a GPU are probably camping out in their RVs, with their portable generators going. Or renting out the party bus and hanging out in style.
I mean, if you are reduced to sleeping on the sidewalk with a tent... maybe you shouldn't be spending $2k on a GPU. That's liable to get you arrested in many states now.
They just released a flash flood warning/watch for tonight near the Dallas Microcenter.
Checked in with the local BB to see if they might some chance have anything available tomorrow and they confirmed that it's all online only.