NVIDIA’s RTX 5090 Release May Face Unprecedented Supply Shortages

NVIDIA’s highly anticipated RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 graphics cards are set to hit the shelves on January 30. However, there’s a buzz in the industry about possible stock shortages that might leave many eager upgraders in a lurch. Recent insights from industry insiders are painting a challenging picture for NVIDIA’s launch.

Though NVIDIA hasn’t officially commented, these insights come from reliable sources. According to Videocardz, the system integrator PowerGPU has voiced concerns on X (previously known as Twitter), highlighting that the availability of the RTX 5090 could be particularly grim. They warned the community with a stark message, stating that the scarcity could persist for as long as three months after the initial release.

So, just how dire is this situation? Videocardz also noted a forum post by Andrew “Gibbo” Gibson, a member of the Overclockers UK team. He shared that their stock could barely be more limited, with single-digit RTX 5090 units and only a couple of hundred RTX 5080s just a week before the big launch day. Gibson remarked, “We’re expecting demand to surpass that of the 40 series, yet the supply wave is weak. With Chinese New Year coinciding with the launch, stocks are much tighter than we’d hope. What we have will likely disappear within moments once available online.”

This isn’t a promising sign for smaller retailers, nor for PC enthusiasts ready to snag the latest tech on launch day. Gibson advised, “If you’re assembling a new system, hold onto your current GPU until you’ve secured a replacement. If you’re still without a GPU, consider opting for an RTX 3050/3060/4060 for now.”

He further elaborated on how the overlap with Chinese New Year could be influencing stock levels. Benchlife, a noted source for hardware news, supports this assertion, pointing to slowed production linked to holiday festivities in Taiwan and China.

NVIDIA’s first major embargo lifted on January 23, with a comprehensive review penned by Windows Central’s Senior Editor Ben Wilson. He commented, “NVIDIA’s strides to revamp its flagship GeForce RTX card resulted in an impressive performance upgrade commensurate with its MSRP. Still, recommending the RTX 5090 FE to any prudent gamer is tough. While it indeed holds the crown for consumer GPUs, the RTX 5080 is a more sound choice for high-end users unless AI work is a priority.”

Meanwhile, AMD might find an opportunity amid all this. At CES 2025, AMD’s RDNA 4 GPUs were subtly teased, with the expected launch trailing behind NVIDIA’s RTX 5070 and 5070 Ti by a few weeks, targeting a March release. Although AMD initially backed out of a full presentation at the event, we did get glimpses of future potential in leaked information and PR material related to FSR 4. The glimpse promised increased machine learning support and hints at custom GPUs in collaboration with AMD partners.

Inputs from insiders and company execs, like David McAfee, AMD’s General Manager and VP of Ryzen and Radeon, indicate that AMD is thoroughly optimizing their software stack. McAfee mentioned on X that, “We’re spending a bit more time perfecting the software for peak performance and boosting FSR 4 titles.”

With the Radeon 9000 series reportedly housed in warehouses, waiting for their official debut, AMD’s strategic delay could turn into a tactical advantage. Adequate stockpile and a polished support system could position AMD favorably amid NVIDIA’s continued supply struggles.