The highly anticipated RTX 5090 and 5080 GPUs have launched, creating a frenzy in the market. High demand and limited supply have led to immediate sellouts at most retailers, leaving many consumers 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 staggering $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. Startups and AI businesses, often unable to afford Nvidia's datacenter GPUs, view the RTX 5090 as a viable, albeit expensive, alternative for local model processing.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 – Images
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The scarcity and price inflation haven't gone unnoticed. eBay is now flooded with deceptive listings aiming to exploit the situation. These listings offer a photograph of the RTX 5090 instead of the actual GPU.
One such listing explicitly states: "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, clearly indicated: “Geforce RTX 5090 (read description) Picture Only - Not the Actual Item,” with a similar disclaimer against refunds.
This problem 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 near monopoly. The current shortage and inflated prices present a significant challenge for high-end PC builders and enthusiasts.
