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 immense excitement among gamers. Our RTX 5090 review lauded it as the fastest consumer graphics card available, fueling the fervor surrounding this new generation.

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 claiming to have only a "single-digit" number of 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 Reddit and the Unofficial Micro Center Discord server about whether these are legitimate buyers or scalpers aiming for a quick profit.

Campers already appeared
by u/Temporary-Director46 in Microcenter

Images circulating online show multiple tents occupied by individuals awaiting the GPU release. One camper, in a Reddit thread, clarified they are purchasing for personal use, not resale, citing business schedules as a reason for their early arrival and emphasizing the respectful atmosphere among those waiting.

Currently, up to 10 tents and approximately 24 individuals are reportedly waiting at the Tustin location, according to the Unofficial Micro Center Discord. Micro Center, in a YouTube video, discouraged this camping, citing the cold January weather.

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.

Micro Center will utilize a voucher system, distributing GPUs on a first-come, first-served basis. Customers won't be able to choose specific models, and only one purchase per person is allowed. Despite discouraging camping, Micro Center advises early arrival to secure a purchase.