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 excitement among gamers. Our RTX 5090 review hailed it as the fastest consumer graphics card available, fueling the anticipation.

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 extremely limited stock, with one UK retailer reporting only single-digit RTX 5090 units.

This scarcity has led to an unusual sight: people camping outside a Micro Center store in Tustin, California, days before the launch. Images circulating on Reddit and the Unofficial Micro Center Discord server show multiple tents, sparking debate about whether these individuals are legitimate buyers or scalpers aiming for a quick profit.

One camper, posting on Reddit, clarified that they are purchasing the card for personal use and not for resale. They acknowledged the time commitment but justified it by stating they run a business and wish to avoid inflated prices. Reports indicate a growing number of campers, with up to ten tents and approximately 24 individuals present.

Micro Center, in a YouTube video, advised against camping, citing the inclement January weather. The company will utilize a voucher system to manage purchases on a first-come, first-served basis, with no choice of specific GPU model. A one-card-per-customer limit is in place, and while discouraging camping, Micro Center still recommends 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.