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 GPUs 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 intense demand.

Despite the hefty price tags – $2,000 for the RTX 5090 and $1,000 for the RTX 5080 – interest remains 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, raising speculation about potential scalpers.

One camper, however, clarified on Reddit that their group intends to purchase the cards for personal use, dispelling some of the scalping concerns. They also reported a positive and respectful atmosphere among those waiting. Current estimates from the Discord channel indicate up to 10 tents and approximately 24 individuals waiting.

Micro Center, in a YouTube video, advised against camping due to the cold weather, emphasizing their first-come, first-served voucher system. Customers will not be able to choose a specific GPU model, and a one-card-per-customer limit is in place. Despite discouraging camping, Micro Center recommends early arrival to secure a purchase.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 – Photos

5 Images

This isn't unprecedented; YouTuber Austin Evans documented similar scenes at the same Tustin location during the RTX 3070 launch in 2020. The anticipation for the RTX 50 series launch highlights the ongoing high demand and limited supply in the high-end GPU market.