Home / Technology / RTX 5090 Vanishes: Scalpers Double Prices!
RTX 5090 Vanishes: Scalpers Double Prices!
21 Jan
Summary
- RTX 5090 graphics cards are virtually unavailable at US retail stores.
- Refurbished RTX 5090 units are selling for over $4,360, more than double MSRP.
- AI data centers are consuming global memory output, impacting consumer electronics.
The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090, the company's top-tier graphics card, is currently scarce on retail shelves, making it virtually unobtainable for consumers seeking it at its approximately $2,000 MSRP.
Shoppers looking for the RTX 5090 at major US retailers like Best Buy, Newegg, and Amazon face limited options. Refurbished models have surfaced on third-party markets, listed at prices exceeding $4,360, more than double the intended retail price.
This situation mirrors past shortages experienced during the pandemic and crypto boom, primarily driven by a global RAM crunch. Increased demand from AI data centers is consuming a large volume of memory output, severely impacting the availability and price of consumer electronics, including graphics cards.
Nvidia appears to be prioritizing industrial GPU production over consumer models, especially those with 16GB of RAM or more. This strategic shift, coupled with the high memory requirements of cards like the RTX 5090 with its 32GB of GDDR7, contributes to the current scarcity and inflated pricing, making it a challenging time for PC gamers.
