The long-awaited RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 GPUs have finally hit the market, sparking intense demand and leading to rapid sell-outs at retail channels. These high-performance, high-cost GPUs have quickly become a hot commodity, leaving many potential buyers disappointed and turning to the resale market.
Scalping has become rampant, particularly for the RTX 5090, which has seen prices soar on platforms like eBay. Initially, the RTX 5090 was resold for over $6,000, and now, prices have escalated to a staggering peak of $9,000. This represents a 350% increase over the GPU's manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $1,999.
The demand for these GPUs, especially the RTX 5090, stems not only from gamers but also from the AI industry. Startups and businesses looking to run AI models locally are eager to get their hands on these chips. Since Nvidia's Datacenter GPUs are often unattainable for many, the RTX 5090 emerges as the next best option, justifying its exorbitant aftermarket prices.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 – Photos
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However, the gaming community is fighting back against the supply shortages and scalpers. eBay is now flooded with deceptive listings, where sellers trick buyers into purchasing a mere image of the RTX 5090 rather than the actual card. One such listing humorously states, "Bots and scalpers welcome, do not buy if you are a human, you will be getting a framed photo of the 5090, you will not receive the 5090. The photo dimensions are 8 inches by 8 inches, I got the frame from Target. DO NOT BUY IF YOU’RE A HUMAN.” Another sold listing for $2,457 clearly states, "Geforce RTX 5090 (read description) Picture Only - Not the Actual Item," with a similar disclaimer about no refunds being offered for the image.
The underlying problem is the lack of competition in the high-end consumer GPU market. With AMD's RX 9070 series unlikely to challenge Nvidia's dominance in terms of power, and Intel still trailing behind, Nvidia holds a firm grip on the market. The shortage of cards and their sky-high prices present a challenging scenario for high-end PC builders and enthusiasts.
