The highly anticipated launch of Nvidia's RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 graphics cards 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 for this new generation. While the $2,000 RTX 5090 and $1,000 RTX 5080 command premium prices, demand is exceptionally high. Reports suggest extremely limited stock, with one UK retailer reporting "single-digit" RTX 5090 availability.
This scarcity has led to an unusual sight: days before the launch, individuals began camping outside Micro Center's Tustin, California location. Images circulating on Reddit and the Unofficial Micro Center Discord channel show tents erected, sparking speculation about potential scalpers aiming to capitalize on the low stock.
One camper, identified in a Reddit thread, clarified that their group intends to purchase the cards for personal use, dispelling concerns of resale. They emphasized their respectful conduct among fellow campers. Reports indicate a growing number of tents and individuals waiting at the Tustin store, with estimates reaching 10 tents and approximately 24 people.
Micro Center, in a YouTube video, advised against camping in the cold weather, promoting its first-come, first-served voucher system for purchase. Customers will receive a voucher, but will not be able to choose a specific GPU model. A one-card-per-customer limit is in place. Despite discouraging camping, Micro Center encourages 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 location during the RTX 3070 launch in 2020.
