Prepare your funds – NVIDIA is unveiling its top-tier GeForce RTX 5090 and companion GeForce RTX 5080 today at 9 AM Eastern Time / 3 PM Central European Time. I’m on hand to assist you in securing one of the “Blackwell” GPUs on launch day, but be advised that it won’t be a walk in the park.
Since their unveiling at CES, NVIDIA’s latest GPUs have garnered quite a bit of attention, not all of it favorable. There seems to be a growing body of evidence suggesting stock shortages, with some retailers barely having double-digit quantities in stock. Despite the high MSRPs of $1,999 and $999 for the RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 respectively, these may still be appealing to those who already own a 40-series card. However, it’s the enthusiasts looking to upgrade their older GPUs that are likely to drive demand, given the scarcity of these new models.
In the seven days prior to the product release, I’ve been carefully monitoring stock listings. I’ve managed to identify top-tier retailers who have the NVIDIA RTX 5000 GPUs in stock and prepared for sale.
On the launch day, my team and I will be present to offer real-time pricing, constant updates on availability, and any essential news that could aid you in securing either the RTX 5090 or RTX 5080 during the launch event itself.
Enthusiasts of NVIDIA’s Founders Edition cards, which are later modified by other brands, would likely find success when purchasing these items on the first day by opting for NVIDIA’s official website in the U.S. and U.K., or Best Buy for American customers.
Due to a scarce amount, you might face a lot of rivalry when it comes to this market segment. If you can’t grab an FE variant of the RTX 5090, there are numerous custom versions being released on January 30th as well. The stock will vary depending on the seller. I have made a point to mention which retailers provide third-party cards and what brands they offer.
Similar to the RTX 5090, the RTX 5080 will debut with a Founders Edition, which can be purchased from NVIDIA’s official store and select third-party vendors.
Additionally, you might find some personalized RTX 5080 graphics cards offered by independent vendors. Here are the brands and stores where they’re available, starting with U.S. retailers, followed by those in the UK.
What to expect at NVIDIA’s RTX 50 Series launch
On January 30, 2025, NVIDIA will release both its RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 models. However, if you’re eagerly anticipating getting your hands on these new GPUs right away, it’s important to keep your hopes in check. According to my recent report, there are whispers of significant shortages when it comes to the RTX 5000 series stock.
Based on reports from industry insiders and major retailers, it seems that the launch of NVIDIA GPUs is expected to be one of the worst on record due to limited availability. For instance, Overclockers UK reportedly has only a small number of RTX 5090 units, with the RTX 5080 in the hundreds. The situation doesn’t appear to be much better in the United States, where some stores have as few as four (4) RTX 5080s in stock.
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 retailers (US)
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 retailers (UK)
NVIDIA RTX 5090: FAQ
When does the RTX 5090 launch?
On January 30, at 9 AM Eastern Standard Time (or 3 PM Central European Time), the NVIDIA RTX 5090 is scheduled to debut. Since it’s been hinted that the initial supply of RTX 5090 won’t be abundant upon release, you’ll need to act swiftly when clicking to secure one.
How much does the RTX 5090 cost?
The base price for the NVIDIA RTX 5090 Founders Edition is set at $1,999 USD or £1,939. However, the costs for partner-made versions of the RTX 5090 have not been disclosed yet. It’s anticipated that prices will vary, ranging from less expensive to pricier options, depending on the specific make and model of the RTX 5090 in question.
Is the RTX 5090 for you?
Are you captivated by the top-tier graphics processing power? Not deterred by its $1,999 price tag? If you’re a gaming enthusiast, researcher, artist, or AI specialist, the RTX 5090 might be just what you’ve been yearning for. It may not be as convincing if you already own an RTX 4090, but even then, NVIDIA assures double the performance compared to the Ada generation’s RTX 4080 SUPER.
I penned down a distinct article discussing both the advantages and disadvantages of purchasing the RTX 5090, aiming to assist you in reaching a conclusive decision.
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 retailers (US)
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 retailers (UK)
NVIDIA RTX 5080: FAQ
When does the RTX 5080 launch?
On January 30, 9 AM EST / 3 PM CET, the NVIDIA RTX 5080 is anticipated to debut together with its RTX 5090 counterpart. Similar to the high-end model, it’s predicted that the RTX 5080 won’t have much availability at its launch. If you can’t wait to get a new graphics card on release day, make sure to act swiftly when checking out.
How much does the RTX 5080 cost?
The NVIDIA RTX 5080 Founders Edition will be available for purchase at $999 in the United States and £979 in the United Kingdom. The pricing for third-party versions (custom cards) may vary, with some brands offering higher prices while others might offer lower costs.
Is the RTX 5080 for you?
The NVIDIA RTX 5080 is expected to garner greater interest than its counterpart, the RTX 5090, given its significantly lower price tag of just half. With ample power for 4K gaming, it’s also set to benefit from the advanced performance hardware that enables DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation to perform smoothly. If you seek top-tier gaming prowess without incurring a heavy financial burden, the RTX 5080 is an attractive choice.
Should you buy an RTX 5090?
My coworker, Ben Wilson from Windows Central Senior Editor, praised the RTX 5090 highly, giving it a perfect five-star rating and granting it the Windows Central Best Award. Yet, its $1,999 manufacturer’s suggested price tag is likely to make it inaccessible for many personal computer users. According to Wilson, this hefty cost could deter potential buyers.
Despite NVIDIA’s impressive work in streamlining and improving the performance of their premium GeForce RTX graphics card, the RTX 5090 FE may not be suitable for the average PC gamer. Though it is undeniably the top-tier consumer GPU at present, the RTX 5080 remains a more prudent high-end choice for gamers who do not work professionally with AI. If you manage to find the RTX 5090 FE at its suggested price, I would still advise considering a third-party RTX 5090 with a stronger triple-fan cooling system to counteract the increased heat output of the Founders Edition model.
On the same day, the RTX 5080 will hit the market at half the cost of the RTX 5090. This price difference is likely to make the RTX 5080 significantly more popular compared to the RTX 5090.
Should you buy an RTX 5080?
On January 30th, another GPU, the RTX 5080, is set to debut. Its affordable $999 price point makes it a more appealing option for gamers compared to the RTX 5090. Whether you’ll be able to get your hands on one right away depends largely on timing and a bit of luck.
According to Ben Wilson, Senior Editor at Windows Central, in his review of the NVIDIA RTX 5080, it might not be a wise investment if you already have an RTX 4080 Super or RTX 4090. This is particularly relevant for those who prefer raw rendering power over relying heavily on the new DLSS 4 features’ upscaling and frame generation capabilities.
If you manage to get your hands on an RTX 5080 at its suggested retail price, especially if you’re upgrading from an older model or a less powerful graphics card, it becomes quite appealing according to Wilson.
Opting for a current generation graphics card such as the RTX 4080 SUPER might cost you approximately $1,000, making it wiser to consider a more recent model. Particularly one that has undergone a slim redesign and adjusted power connectors, which theoretically addresses the problem of overheating cables. In terms of performance, the RTX 5080 Founders Edition emerges as the leading choice for budget-conscious gamers, providing an affordable high-end option without requiring the steep $1,999 price tag associated with the RTX 5090 FE.
Remember, NVIDIA intends to debut the RTX 5070 Ti priced at $749 and the RTX 5070 for $549 in February.
What about pre-built PCs with RTX 5090 and RTX 5080?
Due to rumors of potential stock shortages, individuals who fail to secure a single RTX 5090 or RTX 5080 graphics card on its launch day or in the subsequent weeks may consider purchasing a pre-made gaming PC that already includes the desired components instead.
Two computer brands I’ve had good interactions with, namely Maingear and iBuyPower, are at present offering pre-built systems equipped with the RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 GPUs for purchase.
Maingear offers personalized MG-1, Zero, and North computers equipped with the RTX 5080 graphics card; however, it seems they currently do not have an RTX 5090 option available. In contrast, iBuyPower presents a variety of four pre-built PCs, some containing the RTX 5080 and others featuring the more advanced RTX 5090 graphics card.
Preconstructed computers won’t be released any faster than individual RTX 5000 GPUs, however, you may discover increased stock once the individual graphics cards have been sold out.
In the United Kingdom, both Scan and Ebuyer are offering pre-built desktop computers equipped with RTX 5090 or RTX 5090 graphics cards. However, you’ll need to wait for the GPU release like standalone cards. These pre-built systems might provide an excellent opportunity to acquire the new hardware as soon as it becomes available.
Today is the day of the launch, and although the stock isn’t available for purchase just now, I anticipate that will change around 9 AM Eastern Time. Retailers in the UK appear to be planning for 2 PM Greenwich Mean Time, which aligns. The availability of certain items, particularly the RTX 5080, seems extremely limited in some stores. – Ben Wilson
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2025-01-30 16:10