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, fueling intense demand. Despite the hefty price tags—$2,000 for the RTX 5090 and $1,000 for the RTX 5080—enthusiasm remains high. However, reports suggest extremely limited stock, with one UK retailer claiming single-digit RTX 5090 availability.

This scarcity has led to an unusual scene: people are already camping outside a Micro Center in Tustin, California, days before the launch. Images circulating on Reddit and the Unofficial Micro Center Discord server show multiple tents. While some campers claim they're purchasing for personal use, the situation has sparked concerns about potential scalping.

One camper, identified in a Reddit thread, confirmed their presence and stated their intention to use the card personally, denying any plans to resell. They also noted the respectful atmosphere among those waiting. Reports indicate as many as ten tents and 24 individuals are currently waiting.

Micro Center, in a YouTube video, advised against camping, citing the inclement January weather. Their launch strategy involves a first-come, first-served voucher system, with no choice of specific GPU models. A one-card-per-customer limit is in place. While discouraging camping, Micro Center still recommends early arrival to secure a purchase.

This isn't unprecedented; YouTuber Austin Evans documented similar scenes at the same Tustin location during the RTX 3070 launch in 2020.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 – Photos

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