NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Launch Sparks Chaos; Japan Experiences Turbulent Debut and Global Retailers Face Limited Stock Levels

NVIDIA’s launch of the GeForce RTX 5090 has certainly stirred up a storm, with a remarkable demand that’s clashing with unexpectedly low stock levels, leaving consumers frustrated and eager for solutions.

Demand Skyrockets for NVIDIA’s RTX Blackwell GPU, Leaving Buyers in a Frenzy Amidst Low Stock

We’ve been keeping our readers in the loop about NVIDIA’s potential inventory challenges regarding the RTX Blackwell GPUs. The warnings were there, but despite NVIDIA’s heads-up prior to the release, the excitement among fans surged beyond expectations, which has now led to what some call a “release chaos” at stores, especially notable in Japan. Reports from @sarasteam0151 highlight an extraordinary turn of events: the launch drew such fervor that Japanese consumers, desperate to snag an RTX 5090, spilled into disorderly conduct.

Japanese retailers tried to manage early purchases of the GeForce RTX 5090 by adopting a lottery system, designed to give everyone a fair shot and keep scalpers at bay. Yet, this plan didn’t quite pan out as expected. There was utter chaos among eager customers, with some even resorting to climbing a nearby kindergarten fence to vent their frustration over the limited availability.

The situation isn’t just restricted to Japan. In the US, retailers such as MicroCenter find themselves in a similar bind, reportedly receiving just a handful of units each. The scarcity led to eager enthusiasts pitching tents outside stores days before the official release, making it incredibly challenging for the average buyer to secure one of these prized GPUs on launch day. Indeed, it’s a bit of a letdown for many who wanted to experience the RTX Blackwell from day one.

The reason behind such sparse inventory lies primarily in NVIDIA’s choice to implement GDDR7 memory modules, which seems to be a significant factor in the constrained supply. Additionally, partners providing these cards at lower-than-usual profit margins are tempted to sell above MSRP, further complicating accessibility. For those eagerly awaiting their chance, patience will be crucial. A return to normal stock levels could take a few weeks, and by then, we might also see AMD’s RX 9070 series making its debut in the market.