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, fueling intense anticipation. 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 single-digit availability for the RTX 5090.
This scarcity has led to an unusual sight: days before the launch, individuals began camping outside a Micro Center store in Tustin, California. Images circulating on Reddit and the Unofficial Micro Center Discord channel show tents erected, sparking speculation about potential scalpers. One camper, however, clarified on Reddit that they are purchasing for personal use and not for resale. The number of campers has grown, with reports indicating up to 10 tents and approximately 24 people waiting.
Micro Center, in a YouTube video, discouraged this camping, advising against braving the cold January weather. The company's 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.
This isn't the first time such scenes have unfolded at Micro Center; YouTuber Austin Evans documented a similar event during the RTX 3070 launch in 2020 at the same Tustin location.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 – Photos
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