RTX 5090 Campers Defy Winter Woes for Next-Gen Tech

The highly anticipated Nvidia RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 are set to launch on January 30th, generating significant excitement among gamers. Our RTX 5090 review hailed it as the fastest consumer graphics card available, fueling the intense anticipation.

Despite their premium prices—$2,000 for the RTX 5090 and $1,000 for the RTX 5080—demand is exceptionally high. However, reports suggest extremely limited stock, with one UK retailer reporting only single-digit 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 tents, sparking debate on whether these are legitimate customers or scalpers aiming for a quick profit.

Campers already appeared by u/Temporary-Director46 in Microcenter

Images circulating on Reddit and the Unofficial Micro Center Discord show multiple tents occupied by individuals awaiting the launch. One camper clarified on Reddit that they are purchasing for personal use, not resale, citing time constraints due to their business. They also described a respectful atmosphere among those waiting. Estimates from the Discord channel suggest up to 10 tents and 24 people are currently present.

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 model and a one-card-per-customer limit. While discouraging camping, they still recommend early arrival to secure a purchase.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 – Photos

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This isn't unprecedented; YouTuber Austin Evans documented similar scenes at the same Tustin location during the RTX 3070 launch in 2020. The high demand and limited supply underscore the intense interest surrounding this new generation of graphics cards.