The GeForce RTX 5090 release by NVIDIA has sparked quite the frenzy, with shortages causing major headaches for eager buyers.
Tension Rises as NVIDIA’s RTX Blackwell GPU Faces Unprecedented Demand and Short Supply
As many of you might have anticipated, the new RTX Blackwell GPUs from NVIDIA had been predicted to hit the shelves with unusually low stock. NVIDIA mentioned this well before the first batch was out, yet consumer excitement soared, resulting in what’s now called "inventory chaos" across various retail outlets. The scene is particularly intense in Japan, where, according to the user @sarasteam0151, enthusiasts eager to acquire the RTX 5090 took drastic measures, leading to chaotic scenes during the product launch.
In a bid to make the release fairer and curb scalping, Japanese stores tried a lottery system for those hoping to snag an RTX 5090 early. Unfortunately, this method didn’t quite go over smoothly. Frustration reached such heights that some fans were reportedly seen clambering over a kindergarten fence next to the electronics shop in their attempts to get in on the action.
The situation isn’t just a far-eastern phenomenon. Over in the United States, places like MicroCenter are reportedly only receiving a handful of these sought-after cards. This has only fueled the frenzy, with some die-hard fans camping outside retail locations well in advance of launch day, effectively making it a steep challenge for the average gamer to get hold of one.
One significant factor behind the limited supply is NVIDIA’s decision to incorporate GDDR7 memory modules into these cards. This choice, accompanied by thin profit margins for AIB partners with the RTX 50 series, has led some of these partners to elevate their selling prices beyond the suggested retail point, adding another layer to the launch turmoil. For now, our best advice to consumers is to hang tight until the stock situation stabilizes, which could take several weeks. By then, we might also see AMD’s RX 9070 series making its debut, potentially offering another alternative for GPU hunters.
