NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 5090 Launch Sparks Chaos: Japan Experiences Turbulent Debut and Global Retailers Face Near-Empty Stock Levels

NVIDIA’s release of the GeForce RTX 5090 has been nothing short of chaotic. The hype surrounding the launch has been met with significant inventory shortages, leaving many consumers feeling frustrated.

NVIDIA’s Latest Flagship GPU: Demand Far Outstrips Supply

It’s no secret that NVIDIA’s RTX Blackwell GPUs were expected to be released with limited stock. However, despite NVIDIA’s initial warnings, the consumer excitement reached fever pitch, resulting in what can only be described as "inventory chaos" across retailers. In Japan, the situation took a rather dramatic turn. As reported by @sarasteam0151, eager consumers, frustrated by the lack of availability, resorted to disorderly behavior during the product’s launch period.

In an attempt to manage the overwhelming demand, Japanese retailers decided to implement a lottery system for the early birds hoping to snag the GeForce RTX 5090. This system aimed to level the playing field and prevent scalpers from snatching up all available units. Yet, despite these efforts, the situation descended into chaos, with reports of customers expressing their frustration in extreme ways, such as clambering over the fences of a nearby kindergarten in their desperation.

The shortage isn’t limited to Japan. In the United States, the retail landscape is equally bleak, with stores like MicroCenter receiving only a handful of units. The low allocation has led to long lines forming days before the official launch, making it virtually impossible for the average consumer to secure a card on release day.

Why the scarce stock, you ask? Well, a major factor appears to be NVIDIA’s choice to incorporate GDDR7 memory modules in these new models. This decision has, unfortunately, led to production bottlenecks. Additionally, AIB partners, faced with slim profit margins on the RTX 50 series GPUs, have hiked their prices above the suggested retail price, compounding the release chaos.

For those still keen on acquiring an RTX Blackwell, patience will be key. It could take weeks before inventory levels stabilize. In the meantime, PC enthusiasts may also want to keep an eye on the potential release of AMD’s RX 9070 series GPUs, which might enter the market during this window.