RTX 5090 Unveiled: Campers Brave Winter's Chill for First Access

The highly anticipated Nvidia RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 are set to launch on January 30th, generating significant excitement among gamers. Our RTX 5090 review lauded 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 claiming single-digit RTX 5090 availability.

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 online about whether these are legitimate customers or scalpers aiming to profit from the low stock.

Campers already appeared
by u/Temporary-Director46 in Microcenter

Images circulating on Reddit and the Unofficial Micro Center Discord show multiple tents occupied by individuals awaiting the release. One camper, in a Reddit thread, clarified that their group intends to purchase the cards for personal use, not resale. The Discord channel estimates up to 10 tents and approximately 24 people are currently waiting.

While camping outside Micro Center for new GPUs isn't unprecedented (YouTuber Austin Evans documented a similar event during the RTX 3070 launch), Micro Center itself discouraged this practice in a YouTube video, citing the inclement January weather.

Sales will operate on a first-come, first-served basis using a voucher system. Customers will not be able to choose a specific GPU model, and only one card per person will be allowed. Despite discouraging camping, Micro Center advises early arrival to secure a purchase.