NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 5090 "release hype" has finally started to kick in, as individuals have begun to set up camps outside retail centers to snag units on day one.
NVIDIA's Flagship RTX Blackwell GPU Launches In Four Days & Scalpers Have Started To Camp To Get SKUs On Day One
Well, every year, we see determined buyers surfacing up on the scene, eager to get their hands on NVIDIA's new GPUs, of course for scalping purposes. They usually manage to get a few units at MSRPs and then sell these SKUs at inflated prices, mainly on platforms such as eBay. Similarly, according to images shared on Reddit, campers have started to set up their bases near a MicroCenter retail store ahead of NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 50 series launch in a few days, and it certainly looks hilarious.
While scalpers would surely be involved in the "camping process," a user has commented under the Reddit post, claiming to be one of the campers. He says that the effort is not to overpay for the GPU. I mean, good luck with that considering that inventory levels which we'll talk about next.
Hello everyone, I’m the guy that you guys are talking about in the second tent. And yes, we are buying it for our own use, no trades and no sells.
We just don’t want to pay for that extra $ for a gaming card and yes we do have some times on our hands because we run a business. Good luck to everyone who are trying to get one.
- via Reddit
Interestingly, NVIDIA's RTX Blackwell launch will be pretty different from other releases in terms of inventory levels since, this time; Team Green is rumored to come up with limited SKUs at launch. To top it off, it is claimed that AIB margins on the RTX 5000 series are pretty slim, so finding custom models at MSRP would be almost impossible. These campers will surely benefit if they snag an FE model since that could be the only variant available at MSRP if the rumors we have heard up till now turn out to be true.
The campers will have to wait four days before they can access NVIDIA's RTX 5090, and this could turn out pretty disappointing for them, since not only are inventory levels too low, but NVIDIA is said to have specifically focused on ensuring that the initial batch of SKUs doesn't get into the hands of such scalpers. I wonder how MicroCenter has allowed these campers to set up in the first place, but it certainly adds a touch and anticipation to the release of next-gen GPUs.
Speaking of the on-launch situation, consumers should expect inventory to be pretty tight, and the best chance to get a unit at launch would probably be by visiting physical stores, similar to what these campers are doing.
About the author: Muhammad Zuhair is a hardware and technology reporter for Wccftech, specializing in the semiconductor industry and the complex interplay between technology, manufacturing, and geopolitics. His coverage focuses on the corporate strategies and technological roadmaps of industry giants like TSMC, NVIDIA, Samsung, and Intel. Zuhair's expertise lies in deconstructing complex topics such as fabrication nodes (e.g., 2nm process), the economic impact of policies like the CHIPS Act, and the strategic development of AI infrastructure from NVIDIA, AMD and Intel.
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