The buzz surrounding NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 5090 is quickly turning into a storm of frustration, as eager buyers grapple with the scarcity of available units. Reports of extremely limited stock have surfaced, leaving many would-be owners empty-handed and disgruntled.
In a whirlwind of demand for NVIDIA’s top-tier RTX Blackwell GPU, the reality of insufficient supply has not sat well with consumers. Though NVIDIA did forewarn the public about the limited inventory levels before the first batch was released, the excitement surrounding the launch skyrocketed. This has led to what some are describing as “inventory chaos,” especially noticeable in Japan. Over there, it seems the anticipation crossed a line, leading to disorderly conduct during the launch event, as highlighted by @sarasteam0151 on Twitter. Certain incidents were even reported of consumers in Japan getting a bit too excited, with some allegedly climbing a kindergarten fence near a retailer, showcasing their frustration.
To manage the situation, Japanese retailers have resorted to a “lottery” approach for the early distribution of the GeForce RTX 5090. This was intended to give everyone a fair shot while curbing potential scalpers. However, rather than quelling the discontent, the plan backfired, with chaotic scenes emerging, as people desperately tried to secure their unit.
The shortages aren’t unique to Japan. Across the pond in the United States, the scenario isn’t much better. It’s said that places like MicroCenter have RTX 5090 stocks numbered in single digits. Adding to the pandemonium, eager buyers have been camping outside retail stores days ahead of the launch, making it near impossible for the average consumer to lay their hands on the new GPUs.
For those pondering the cause of these depleted shelves, look no further than NVIDIA’s shift to incorporate GDDR7 memory modules in these cards. This, coupled with AIB partners dealing with tight profit margins, has led them to price these GPUs above the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP). This complex situation isn’t expected to stabilize anytime soon. Therefore, our advice to consumers is to exercise patience, as restocking might stretch out over a few weeks. By that time, we may even see AMD’s RX 9070 series making its debut as well, potentially easing the pressure on NVIDIA’s offerings.
