The long-awaited RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 GPUs have finally hit the market, igniting a frenzy among tech enthusiasts and professionals alike. These high-performance, yet high-priced, components have quickly sold out at most retail channels, leaving many eager buyers disappointed.
As a consequence, these GPUs, particularly the RTX 5090, are now being heavily scalped on resale platforms like eBay. Within hours of their release, RTX 5090 units were snapped up for prices exceeding $6,000. The situation has escalated further, with the GPU now reaching a staggering peak of $9,000—a 350% surge over its MSRP of $1,999.
Why are individuals willing to pay such exorbitant prices? The RTX 5090 is not only a powerhouse for gaming but also excels in AI workloads. This makes it an attractive option for startups and businesses in the AI sector looking to run models locally. With Nvidia's Datacenter GPUs often out of reach for many, the RTX 5090 emerges as the next best alternative, despite its inflated aftermarket prices.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 – Photos
5 Images
However, the gaming community is not standing idly by amidst the supply shortages and scalpers. eBay is now flooded with deceptive listings designed to mislead potential buyers into purchasing an *image* of the RTX 5090, rather than the GPU itself.
One listing humorously 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 plainly states: "Geforce RTX 5090 (read description) Picture Only - Not the Actual Item," with a similar disclaimer about no refunds for the image, which is not the RTX 5090 itself.
The root of this issue stems from the lack of competition in the high-end consumer GPU market. With AMD’s RX 9070 series failing to match Nvidia's performance and Intel trailing behind, Nvidia holds a dominant position. This, coupled with the shortage of cards and their soaring prices, paints a challenging landscape for high-end PC builders and enthusiasts.
