Nvidia’s recently launched RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 graphics cards have sold out almost instantly, leaving many eager consumers frustrated and without a purchase. The scarcity of stock has led scalpers to take advantage of the situation, with listings for the RTX 5090 on eBay reaching as high as $6,000—an eye-watering 200% markup over the official MSRP of $1,999. Even third-party manufacturers have joined the trend, with products like the Asus ROG Astral priced at $2,799, reflecting a 40% increase.
Despite global demand, the availability of Nvidia’s Founder’s Edition cards featuring advanced split PCBs remains extremely low, leading to disappointment among dedicated fans. Many noted in forums and on social media how they consistently refreshed the purchase page without success, leading to a sense of déjà vu reminiscent of the RTX 30-series launch struggles in 2020. Comments like “Another Launch, Another Failure” highlight the ongoing challenges faced by consumers in obtaining these high-demand items.
A major factor behind the limited supply lies in reported design flaws in Nvidia’s Blackwell-based processors. CEO Jensen Huang admitted that these flaws have resulted in lower yields, affecting the production not only of consumer GPUs but also their data center chips. Nvidia operates under tight deadlines with its manufacturing partner TSMC, and quality issues necessitate additional time to ensure chip functionality, further compounding the availability problem.
Comparatively, Nvidia’s revenue from data center customers soared to an impressive $30.8 billion in Q3 2025, overshadowing the $3.3 billion earned from gaming. This imbalance indicates where Nvidia may be prioritizing its manufacturing efforts, which could impact the release of consumer-focused products.
Despite the current frustrations, there is a glimmer of hope for consumers. Analysts suggest that supply for the RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 may improve in the future as Nvidia works to rectify these production challenges. As the market stabilizes, gamers may eventually get their chance to acquire what is touted as the fastest consumer graphics cards on the market.
Overall, while Nvidia faces criticism for the shortages, the company’s focus on addressing its design flaws could ultimately lead to a more stable supply and a better experience for gamers down the line.