The demand for NVIDIA’s flagship RTX Blackwell series, especially the RTX 5090, has skyrocketed globally, leading to unprecedented price hikes. In Taiwan, scalpers are reselling these coveted graphics cards for up to $9,100 due to the limited availability. The GeForce RTX 5090 and the RTX 5080 were anticipated to be in short supply from the onset, with NVIDIA adopting a more selective approach in allocating units to retailers, making it challenging for everyday consumers to get their hands on one. This scarcity has created an ideal environment for scalpers, who are capitalizing on the situation, driving prices to exorbitant levels.
Taiwan is notably a significant market for NVIDIA’s consumer GPUs. The initial batch of these graphics cards in the region was reportedly within “single-digits,” exacerbating the supply issues. Furthermore, the logistics are further hampered by the ongoing Chinese New Year, delaying the arrival of additional inventory. The situation is mirrored in other markets like the U.S., where listings on platforms such as eBay show the RTX 5090 being sold at sky-high prices, often with dubious “pre-order” offers.
Consumers are advised to tread carefully and avoid purchasing from unreliable sources. It is recommended to stick to authorized retail channels, despite the allure of potentially lower prices on platforms like eBay and Craigslist. These high-demand SKUs are likely to become more available weeks after the official launch, potentially from late February to mid-March. However, with AMD’s RX 9070 series gearing up for its own launch, competition in the GPU market could lead to continued challenges in maintaining sufficient inventory levels.
In the meantime, tech enthusiasts and gamers are urged to stay patient and cautious. By purchasing through officially sanctioned channels, they can avoid falling victim to scams or overpaying for this new piece of hardware.
