Nvidia RTX 5090 Campers Brave January Cold Despite Retailer Warnings

The excitement for Nvidia's latest GPU generation is palpable as the RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 are set to launch on January 30. Our RTX 5090 review hailed it as "the fastest graphics card on the consumer market," fueling the anticipation for these high-end cards. Priced at $2,000 for the RTX 5090 and $1,000 for the RTX 5080, these GPUs command premium prices, yet the demand remains sky-high. However, rumors suggest that stock levels will be extremely limited, with a UK retailer claiming to have only "single digit" stock for the RTX 5090.

In anticipation of the launch, eager enthusiasts have begun camping outside Micro Center’s Tustin location in California. Images circulating on Reddit and the Unofficial Micro Center Discord channel show tents and campers, raising concerns that some might be scalpers aiming to profit from the scarce supply.

Campers already appeared
byu/Temporary-Director46 inMicrocenter

.reddit-embed-wrapper iframe { margin-left: 0 !important; }Photos depict a significant number of tents, with one large grey tent reportedly housing four individuals. One camper took to a Reddit thread to clarify their intentions, stating, “Hello everyone, I’m the guy that you guys are talking about in the second tent. And yes, we are buying it for our own use, no trades and no sells. We just don’t want to pay for that extra $ for a gaming card and yes we do have some times on our hands because we run a business. Good luck to everyone who are trying to get one.” They further emphasized the friendly and respectful atmosphere among those waiting, noting that up to 10 tents and approximately 24 people are currently at the Tustin location, according to the Micro Center Unofficial Discord channel.

Despite the enthusiasm, Micro Center has discouraged camping in a YouTube video ahead of the launch, stating, “We do discourage camping at our locations for the 5090 and 5080." They aim to manage the launch with a voucher system, ensuring purchases on a first-come-first-serve basis. Customers will not have the option to choose specific models, and only one card per customer will be allowed. While discouraging camping, Micro Center still advises arriving early to secure a GPU and avoid disappointment.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 – Photos

5 ImagesCamping for new graphics cards at Micro Center is not a new phenomenon, as seen during the RTX 3070 launch in 2020, documented by YouTuber Austin Evans at the same Tustin location.