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

The highly anticipated Nvidia RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 are set to launch on January 30th, generating significant buzz. Our RTX 5090 review hailed it as the fastest consumer graphics card available, fueling excitement for this new generation.

Despite their hefty price tags—$2,000 for the RTX 5090 and $1,000 for the RTX 5080—demand is exceptionally high. However, reports suggest extremely limited stock, with one UK retailer claiming to have only a "single-digit" quantity of RTX 5090 cards.

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 debate on whether these are legitimate customers or scalpers aiming for a quick profit.

Campers already appeared by u/Temporary-Director46 in Microcenter

Images circulating on Reddit and the Unofficial Micro Center Discord server show multiple tents occupied by individuals awaiting the launch. One camper clarified on Reddit that their group intends to use the cards personally and isn't involved in reselling. Reports indicate as many as 10 tents and 24 people are currently waiting.

Micro Center, in a YouTube video, advised against camping, citing the inclement January weather. Their launch strategy involves a voucher system, allocating cards on a first-come, first-served basis. Customers won't be able to choose specific models, with a one-card-per-customer limit in place. While discouraging camping, Micro Center still recommends 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. The high demand and limited supply continue to create a competitive landscape for acquiring the latest high-end graphics cards.