Nvidia RTX 5090: Campers Brave January Cold Ahead of Launch

The highly anticipated launch of Nvidia's RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 GPUs on January 30th has ignited a frenzy among gamers. Our RTX 5090 review hailed it as the fastest consumer graphics card, fueling intense anticipation. While the $2,000 RTX 5090 and $1,000 RTX 5080 command premium prices, the demand is undeniably high. However, reports suggest extremely limited stock, with one UK retailer claiming to have only single-digit RTX 5090 units.

This scarcity has led to an unusual sight: campers outside Micro Center's Tustin, California location, days before the launch. 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, responding to a Reddit thread, clarified that their group intends to purchase the cards for personal use, emphasizing their commitment to avoiding resale. They also noted the respectful atmosphere among those waiting. Reports from the Unofficial Micro Center Discord channel estimate up to 10 tents and approximately 24 people currently waiting.

Micro Center, in a YouTube video, discouraged this pre-launch camping, advising against braving the cold January weather. Their launch strategy involves a first-come, first-served voucher system, offering no choice of specific GPU model. A one-card-per-customer limit is in place. Despite discouraging camping, Micro Center 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 pre-launch camping at the same Tustin location during the RTX 3070 launch in 2020.