NVIDIA’s latest release, the GeForce RTX 5090, has set off a whirlwind of “release chaos,” with limited stock levels leading to mounting frustration among eager buyers.
Demand for NVIDIA’s flagship RTX Blackwell GPU has soared, but the drastically low inventory is exasperating consumers. We’ve previously informed our readers that the RTX Blackwell GPUs from NVIDIA, affectionately known as Team Green, were set to launch with notably low stock. This was something NVIDIA had prepared us for before the initial SKUs hit the shelves. Nonetheless, consumer excitement and expectations skyrocketed beyond control, resulting in what can only be described as “inventory chaos” at retailers. A particularly chaotic scene unfolded in Japan. As reported by @sarasteam0151, Japanese gamers desperate to snatch up NVIDIA’s RTX 5090 went to extreme lengths, with unruly incidents marring the launch day.
In an attempt to manage the high demand and prevent scalpers from grabbing all the stock, Japanese retailers introduced a “lottery” system for early buyers of the GeForce RTX 5090. Unfortunately, this plan didn’t pan out as expected. The premiere saw chaos erupt among early buyers, some of whom expressed their frustration dramatically by climbing the fence of a preschool adjacent to the retail venue.
The chaos isn’t confined to Japan alone; even in the US, the situation mirrors the pandemonium. Reports suggest that some stores, like MicroCenter, have only been allocated a “single-digit” number of NVIDIA RTX 5090 units. Adding to the frenzy, dedicated gamers set up camp outside retail locations days before the official release, making it nearly impossible for the average consumer to get their hands on one. It’s undoubtedly a letdown for fans who had hoped to snag an RTX Blackwell on launch day, but that’s the reality right now.
For those wondering why inventory is so scarce this time around, NVIDIA’s integration of GDDR7 memory modules seems to be a significant factor. Furthermore, AIB partners are dealing with tight profit margins on the RTX 50 series GPUs, prompting them to sell at prices higher than the suggested retail price. This has all contributed to the current launch day turmoil. For now, our recommendation to consumers is to hold off until inventory levels normalize. This wait could stretch out for several weeks, during which AMD might also roll out its RX 9070 series GPUs, potentially offering another option on the market.
