The highly anticipated RTX 5090 and 5080 GPUs have launched, creating a frenzy in the market. These powerful, premium graphics cards are in extremely high demand, selling out rapidly at most retailers and leaving many potential buyers disappointed.
Consequently, both GPUs, particularly the RTX 5090, are experiencing significant price gouging on secondary marketplaces like eBay. Shortly after release, RTX 5090s were listed for over $6,000, a price that has since escalated to a shocking $9,000—a 350% markup from the MSRP of $1,999.
This exorbitant pricing stems from the RTX 5090's suitability for both gaming and demanding AI workloads. Entrepreneurs and AI businesses are eager to acquire these chips for local model processing, especially since Nvidia's datacenter GPUs are often inaccessible. The RTX 5090, despite its inflated aftermarket cost, becomes a desirable alternative.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 – Images
5 Images
The gaming community is responding to this scarcity and the rampant scalping. eBay is now flooded with fraudulent listings designed to deceive buyers. These listings offer a photograph of the RTX 5090 instead of the actual product.
One such listing concludes: "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 detentions [sic] is 8 inches by 8 inches, I got the frame from Target. DO NOT BUY IF YOU’RE A HUMAN.”
Another completed listing, sold for $2,457, stated: “Geforce RTX 5090 (read description) Picture Only - Not the Actual Item,” with a similar disclaimer about non-refundable image purchases.
This situation highlights the lack of competition in the high-end consumer GPU market. With AMD's RX 9070 series seemingly unable to challenge Nvidia's dominance and Intel trailing behind, Nvidia holds a monopoly. The current shortage and inflated prices present a discouraging outlook for high-end PC builders and enthusiasts.
