The highly anticipated launch of Nvidia's RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 GPUs on January 30th has ignited a frenzy among gamers. Our RTX 5090 review hailed it as the fastest consumer graphics card available, fueling intense excitement. Despite the hefty price tags—$2,000 for the RTX 5090 and $1,000 for the RTX 5080—demand is sky-high. However, reports suggest extremely limited stock, with one UK retailer claiming to have only single-digit quantities of the RTX 5090.
This scarcity has led to an unusual sight: days before the launch, hopeful buyers began camping outside a Micro Center in Tustin, California. Images circulating on Reddit and the Unofficial Micro Center Discord channel show tents erected, sparking debate about whether these individuals are genuine buyers or scalpers aiming to profit from the limited supply.
One camper, identified in a Reddit thread, clarified their intentions: they are purchasing the card for personal use and not for resale. They acknowledged the time commitment but explained their business schedule allows for it, stating they simply wish to avoid inflated prices. They also described a respectful and friendly atmosphere among the waiting group. Currently, reports indicate up to 10 tents and approximately 24 people are waiting at the Tustin location.
Micro Center, in a pre-launch YouTube video, discouraged camping, advising against enduring the cold January weather. Their launch strategy involves a first-come, first-served voucher system, offering no choice in GPU model. A one-card-per-customer limit is in place. While discouraging camping, Micro Center still recommends early arrival to secure a purchase.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 – Photos
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This isn't unprecedented; YouTuber Austin Evans documented similar scenes at the same Tustin Micro Center during the RTX 3070 launch in 2020.
