The launch of the RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 has set the GPU market ablaze, with these high-performance, high-cost graphics cards flying off the shelves at most retail outlets. The rapid sell-out has left many eager buyers disappointed, fueling a rampant secondary market where scalpers are thriving.
Scalping has become particularly egregious with the RTX 5090, which has seen its prices soar on platforms like eBay. Shortly after hitting the market, these GPUs were being resold for over $6,000, and now the prices have escalated to a staggering $9,000, marking a 350% markup from the card's original manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $1,999.
So, why are people willing to shell out such exorbitant sums for the RTX 5090? It's not just about gaming; this GPU is a powerhouse for AI workloads too. Startups and businesses in the AI sector are scrambling to acquire these chips to run models locally. With Nvidia's Datacenter GPUs often out of reach for many, the RTX 5090 becomes an attractive, albeit pricey, alternative.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 – Photos
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Amidst the supply shortage, the gaming community is fighting back against scalpers. eBay has become a battleground, with fake listings popping up to trick buyers into purchasing images of the RTX 5090 rather than the actual card. One such listing cheekily warns, "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 reads, “Geforce RTX 5090 (read description) Picture Only - Not the Actual Item,” explicitly stating no refunds will be issued for the image, which is not the RTX 5090 itself.
The core problem stems from the lack of competition in the high-end consumer GPU market. With AMD’s RX 9070 series unable to challenge Nvidia for the performance crown and Intel trailing behind, Nvidia holds a dominant position. The scarcity of cards and their inflated prices present a bleak outlook for high-end PC builders and enthusiasts.
