People Are Already Camping Out for an Nvidia RTX 5090, Despite Retailer Warning About the January Cold

The highly anticipated launch of Nvidia's RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 graphics cards on January 30th has ignited a frenzy among PC enthusiasts. Our RTX 5090 review hailed it as the fastest consumer graphics card available, fueling intense excitement. While the $2,000 RTX 5090 and $1,000 RTX 5080 command premium prices, demand is exceptionally high, with reports of extremely limited stock. One UK retailer reportedly has only single-digit stock of the RTX 5090.

This scarcity has led to an unusual scene outside a Micro Center store in Tustin, California. Days before the launch, individuals have set up tents, sparking speculation about potential scalpers aiming to capitalize on the low stock. Images circulating on Reddit and the Unofficial Micro Center Discord channel show multiple tents occupied by people waiting for the new GPUs. One camper, in a Reddit thread, clarified they intend to use the card themselves, dismissing any suggestions of reselling. They emphasized the group's respectful conduct. Reports from the Unofficial Micro Center Discord channel indicate as many as 10 tents and approximately 24 people are now waiting.

Micro Center, in a pre-launch YouTube video, advised against camping, citing the inclement January weather. The company will utilize a voucher system to manage purchases on a first-come, first-served basis, with no choice of specific GPU model. Only one card per customer will be allowed. Despite discouraging camping, Micro Center still recommends arriving early 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 location during the RTX 3070 launch in 2020.