People are already camping outside Micro Center stores to get their hands on Nvidia’s new GeForce RTX 5090 and 5080 graphics cards. The cards are set to launch on January 30, but stock is expected to be very limited. Images shared on social media show tents set up near a Micro Center store in Tustin, California.
Some speculate that the campers could be scalpers looking to buy the cards and resell them at higher prices. However, one camper on Reddit claims they are buying the card for their own use. “We just don’t want to pay extra $ for a gaming card, and yes, we do have some time on our hands because we run a business,” the camper wrote.
“Good luck to everyone who is trying to get one.”
As of now, there are reportedly up to 10 tents and around 24 people in line at the Tustin location. Micro Center has discouraged camping due to the cold January weather. The company plans to use a voucher system to confirm purchases on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Camping for Nvidia’s RTX 5090 launch
Customers in line will not have a choice in the specific model of GPU they can buy. Only one card can be purchased per customer.
Despite discouraging camping, Micro Center suggests arriving early to avoid disappointment. The RTX 5090 is expected to be priced at $2,000, while the RTX 5080 will cost $1,000. Stock for both cards is rumored to be incredibly tight.
One UK retailer noted they have “single digit” stock for the RTX 5090. Camping out for new graphics card releases is not uncommon at Micro Center stores. Similar scenes occurred at the Tustin location during the RTX 3070 launch in 2020.
The launch of Nvidia’s new Blackwell GPU lineup has generated immense hype among PC enthusiasts. The RTX 5090 has been reviewed as “the fastest graphics card on the consumer market.” Finding the cards in stock on launch day will likely be a challenge for many hopeful buyers.
Cameron is a highly regarded contributor in the rapidly evolving fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. His articles delve into the theoretical underpinnings of AI, the practical applications of machine learning across industries, ethical considerations of autonomous systems, and the societal impacts of these disruptive technologies.
