Paper launch or not? Nvidia RTX 5090 and 5080 GPUs sell out instantly, frustrating customers
WTF?! Nvidia’s highly anticipated RTX 5090 and 5080 graphics cards launched on January 30, but the release was marred by severe stock shortages, leading many to label it a paper launch. Despite warnings from Nvidia earlier in the week about potential supply issues, the scarcity of available units has left many eager customers disappointed and frustrated.
Nvidia’s launch day saw long lines of enthusiasts camping outside retailers, hoping to secure one of the coveted GPUs. However, many stores had minimal stock, and some locations never received RTX 5090 allotments.
Micro Center’s Tustin, California store got the largest allocation with 67 RTX 5090s and 199 RTX 5080s, but it was an outlier. Most Micro Center locations had to make do with just a handful of cards, some having as few as four or five RTX 5090s.
The shortage extended beyond brick-and-mortar stores, with online retailers like Best Buy and Amazon quickly selling out of their initial stock. The scarcity has led to a surge in second-hand market prices, with some RTX 5090 cards listing on eBay for over $5,000 – more than double the $1,999 retail price.
YouTube channel GamersNexus reported on the shortages, noting that even major system integrators struggled to obtain inventory. One builder reportedly received just a single RTX 5090 on launch day, while another received none. This scarcity has raised questions about Nvidia’s production capabilities and allocation strategies, especially considering the company had reportedly halted production of the previous-generation RTX 4090 to focus on the new 50-series.
The impact of the shortage has rippled across the GPU market. Prices for older models, such as the RTX 4090, have seen significant increases, with some units now selling for around $2,500 on the second-hand market – a stark increase from the $1,600 price point seen at the end of 2024.
As frustrated buyers seek alternatives, some retailers have resorted to creative methods to combat scalpers and bots, such as listing cards in ways that trick automated purchasing systems. Meanwhile, Nvidia stated that they and their partners are “shipping more stock to retail every day” to meet the overwhelming demand.
The RTX 5090 and 5080 shortage could persist for months, with some UK retailers suggesting that new stock may not arrive until April or May. This situation leaves many PC enthusiasts and gamers in a difficult position, forced to patiently wait for restocks or consider alternative options in the highly competitive graphics card market.
