Nvidia’s Latest GPUs Face Potential Supply Challenges Ahead of Release
Upcoming RTX 5090 and 5080 cards might be harder to find than expected at launch.
The highly anticipated launch of Nvidia‘s RTX 50 series graphics cards might leave many enthusiasts waiting longer than expected to upgrade their gaming rigs. Industry insiders suggest that the availability of these next-generation GPUs, particularly the flagship RTX 5090, could be severely limited during the initial release period.
The groundbreaking specs of these new cards have already generated substantial buzz since their unveiling at CES 2025. The RTX 5090 stands out with its remarkable capabilities, promising to deliver twice the performance of its predecessor, the RTX 4090. Early benchmarks show the card achieving impressive 240FPS in 4K resolution with full ray tracing enabled.
According to information shared by insider Pockerclock on PC Games Hardware forum, Nvidia plans to implement a selective distribution strategy for the RTX 50 series launch. The source, citing connections within dealer networks, indicates that only select retailers will receive initial stock allocation. Major retailers like Amazon might not receive inventory until several weeks after the initial release, potentially during the second, third, or fourth wave of shipments.
The situation could be further complicated by scalpers and resellers, who might capitalize on the limited availability. This is particularly concerning given the RTX 5090’s already substantial MSRP of $1,999. While product listings have appeared on platforms like Newegg, these don’t necessarily guarantee launch day availability.
For budget-conscious gamers, this launch might present an opportunity to acquire previous-generation hardware at reduced prices. Recent market activity has already shown promising discounts on RTX 40 series cards, with some retailers offering significant price reductions on models like the RTX 4070.