Nvidia’s highly anticipated RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 graphics cards are set to launch on January 30, but concerns over limited availability are already causing a stir among PC gamers. Despite steep price tags of $1,999 and $999, demand for these next-generation GPUs is through the roof, with reports of shortages surfacing from manufacturers and retailers alike.
One key factor contributing to the limited stock is the timing of the release, which coincides with the Lunar New Year. MSI, a leading GPU manufacturer, has confirmed that the holiday will impact the first wave of shipments, though supply levels are expected to improve in February. Retailers like Overclockers UK and PowerGPU have echoed these concerns, with the former reporting it received only “single digits” of RTX 5090 units and a few hundred RTX 5080 cards.
Nvidia has acknowledged the issue through an official forum post, stating that demand for the RTX 50 series is expected to outstrip supply at launch. The company assured buyers that additional stock will be shipped daily to meet the overwhelming demand.
Adding to the frenzy, scalpers have already started listing RTX 5090 GPUs on platforms like eBay at inflated prices. One listing for an Asus ROG Astral RTX 5090 was seen priced at $5,750—nearly triple the original MSRP.
In the midst of this GPU hype, Nvidia is facing other challenges, including a significant dip in its share price. The emergence of the Chinese AI model DeepSeek, which claims to have been trained for just $6 million, has raised questions about Nvidia’s dominance in the data center GPU market.
As launch day approaches, gamers and enthusiasts are bracing for what could be one of the most challenging GPU releases in recent memory.