The launch of a new generation of GPUs is upon us. On January 30, Nvidia is expected to release the RTX 5090 and RTX 5080. In our RTX 5090 reviewWe called it “the fastest graphics card on the consumer market,” and it seems the hype for a new generation of graphics cards is reaching fever pitch.
The $2,000 RTX 5090 and the $1,000 RTX 5080 are both high-end graphics cards at high-end prices, but that apparently isn’t ceasing extreme interest. However, stocks are incredibly tight for both cards, with one retailer in the UK claims They only have “single digit” stock for the RTX 5090, specifically.
Now, hopeful punters have started camping outside Micro Center’s Tustin location in California, days before the launch. Images of tents outside the store appeared on Reddit and the Unofficial micro-center discord channelsparking speculation that those waiting in line might be scalpers hoping to make a small accusation of a low-stock launch of the new gaming GPUs.
The images show several tents already filled with people waiting for the new GPUs. Users claim the larger gray tent currently has four people waiting inside, and one of the campers posted in a Reddit thread: “Hello everyone, I’m the guy you’re talking about in the second tent. And yes, we buy it for our own use, no trades and no sales. We just don’t want to pay that extra $ for a game card and yes we have times on our hands because we run a business. Good luck to anyone trying to get one.
They explained in another comment that everyone currently waiting at the Tustin Micro Center store is “very nice and respectful.” At the time of writing, there are now up to 10 tents on the location itself, with around 24 people waiting for the GPU to launch on January 30, according to users on the unofficial Micro Center discord channel.
Ahead of the launch, Micro Center detailed its launch strategy for the RTX 5090 and 5080 in a YouTube videodiscouraging people from camping outdoors in cold weather in January. “We discourage camping at our locations for the 5090 and 5080,” the company said.
It’s not an uncommon sight to see people camping out for a new graphics card at the Micro Center, with YouTuber Austin Evans documenting the process at the same Tustin location when the RTX 3070 launched in 2020.
Purchases will be confirmed to customers on a first come, first serve basis via a voucher system. Those waiting in line won’t have a choice as to which specific model of GPU they can purchase.
Only one card can be purchased per customer, and although it has discouraged camping outside their stores, Micro Center still suggests that people arrive early to avoid disappointment.
Image credit: unofficial Micro Center discord channel / user Geneva.
Sayem is a UK-based freelancer covering technology and hardware. You can contact him at @Sayem.zone on bluesky.