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 slated for release on January 30th. Following our glowing RTX 5090 review, which hailed it as "the fastest consumer graphics card," excitement is reaching a fever pitch. Despite the hefty price tags—$2,000 for the RTX 5090 and $1,000 for the RTX 5080—demand is exceptionally high. However, reports suggest severely limited stock, with one UK retailer claiming to have only a "single-digit" number of RTX 5090 units.

This scarcity has led to an unusual scene outside a Micro Center store in Tustin, California. Days before the launch, individuals have set up camp, sparking debate on social media platforms like Reddit and the Unofficial Micro Center Discord. Concerns have been raised that some might be scalpers aiming to profit from the anticipated shortages.

Images circulating online show multiple tents occupied by individuals awaiting the release. One camper, in a Reddit thread, clarified their intentions, stating they are purchasing for personal use and not for resale. The Discord channel reports a growing number of campers, with estimates reaching ten tents and approximately 24 people.

Micro Center, in a pre-launch YouTube video, advised against camping, citing the inclement January weather. The company will utilize a voucher system to manage sales, operating on a first-come, first-served basis. Customers will not be able to choose a specific GPU model, and purchases are limited to one card per person. While discouraging camping, Micro Center still recommends early arrival to secure a purchase.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 – Images

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This isn't unprecedented; YouTuber Austin Evans documented a similar scene at the same Tustin location during the RTX 3070 launch in 2020. The high demand and limited supply highlight the intense competition in the high-end graphics card market.