RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 buyers are already setting up camp at Micro Center three days before the devices launch. A post on the Micro Center subreddit shows customers pitched tents outside the Tustin, California, location. So far, only a few have arrived, but more are expected as the release date nears. This trend isn’t new—previous high-profile GPU launches saw similar waits due to shortages and scalper activity.
The shortage of these powerful GPUs is fueling scalpers who sell “slots” at inflated prices, with some charging up to three times the MSRP for RTX 5090s. Custom models are also priced abnormally high overseas, hinting at potential scarcity during the launch. With the RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 set to launch on January 30 (RTX 5090) and February 1 (RTX 5080), gamers are bracing for another round of availability challenges.
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This article captures the urgency, explains the reasons behind camping behavior, highlights supply chain issues, and provides key launch dates—all essential information in a concise and engaging format.
Source: https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/gpus/nvidia-rtx-5090-and-rtx-5080-buyers-are-already-camping-at-micro-center-three-days-before-launch