People Are Already Camping Out for an Nvidia RTX 5090, Despite Retailer Warning About the January Cold

The highly anticipated arrival of the latest GPU generation is just around the corner. On January 30, Nvidia is set to unveil the RTX 5090 and RTX 5080, promising to push the boundaries of gaming performance. In our comprehensive RTX 5090 review, we labeled it as "the fastest graphics card on the consumer market," highlighting the growing excitement surrounding this new wave of graphics cards.

Priced at $2,000 for the RTX 5090 and $1,000 for the RTX 5080, these high-end offerings cater to enthusiasts with deep pockets, yet demand remains strong. Stock availability is expected to be extremely limited, with reports suggesting that one UK retailer has only "single-digit" units available for the RTX 5090 specifically.

In anticipation of the launch, eager buyers have begun camping outside Micro Center’s Tustin store in California, days before the official release. Images shared on Reddit and the Unofficial Micro Center Discord channel depict multiple tents housing individuals waiting for the new GPUs. Some speculate that these campers might include scalpers looking to capitalize on the rumored scarcity of the new gaming GPUs.

One camper commented on Reddit, stating, "We are buying it for our own use, no trades and no sells. We just don’t want to pay for that extra markup for a gaming card, and yes, we do have some time on our hands because we run a business. Good luck to everyone who is trying to get one." Another user noted that all current campers are "very nice and respectful." At the time of writing, up to 10 tents housing approximately 24 people are stationed at the Tustin location, eagerly awaiting the GPU launch on January 30, according to the Micro Center Unofficial Discord channel.

In preparation for the launch, Micro Center outlined its strategy in a YouTube video, advising against camping outdoors due to the harsh January weather. The company emphasized, "We do discourage camping at our locations for the 5090 and 5080."

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 – Photos

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Historically, it’s not unusual to see enthusiasts camping outside Micro Center stores for popular GPU launches. During the RTX 3070 launch in 2020, YouTuber Austin Evans documented the scene at the same Tustin location.

Purchases will be processed on a first-come-first-served basis through a voucher system. Campers will not have the option to choose between the RTX 5090 and RTX 5080. Each customer is limited to purchasing one card, and while Micro Center discourages camping, they still recommend arriving early to secure a spot.