Missed out on an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 on launch day? You and me, both. Unfortunately, itβs looking like the wait for new stock to find its way to retailers could be a long one, at least if one UK retailerβs thoughts are anything to go by.
With the RTX 5090 proving to be Nvidiaβs fastest gaming GPU yet and rightfully earning its place atop our best graphics card guide, demand for it has been huge. Not only that, but supply has been very slim, leading to the meager level of RTX 5090 stock initially available selling out in mere minutes. However, while an initial rush of enthusiasm and stock selling out might be expected, the potential future level of scarcity is looking like it could be unprecedented.
According to a postΒ on X (formerly Twitter) by UK retailer, Overclockers.co.uk, the wait for fresh RTX 5090 stock could be between three and 16 weeks, potentially meaning buyers in the UK at least could be waiting until mid-May to get hold of one of the cards. That would be long after the RTX 5070 release date window and even a newly suggested RTX 5060 release date leak.
The company also says that the wait for new RTX 5080 stock could be a long one, suggesting a period of between two and six weeks. Supply of the RTX 5080 has been much more readily available, but it still sold out on release day β despite RTX 5080 reviews such as ours noting its relatively poor performance increase over the RTX 4080. It appears as though itβs primarily Nvidiaβs huge flagship GPU that is the one facing the most severe stock shortage, though.
Not only does Overclockers.co.uk note the long lead time on new stock arriving but it also says it has removed the option to pre-order any cards, with the company noting that itβs waiting for βgreater clarity on availabilityβ and until it has fulfilled existing pre-orders.
This incredibly low supply of new Nvidia GPUs is also leading some commenters to consider this a βpaper launchβ for the RTX 5090 in particular because itβs so difficult to buy. This could open the door for AMDβs Radeon RX 9070 XT and RX 9070 cards to steal a march on Nvidia, if they can arrive quickly, at a competitive price and in good supply. Given that AMD has already pushed back the release of those cards, though, we have our doubts it will be able to pull off such a move.
All told, while the performance and features of the newest batch of gaming GPUs are enough to get us excited β especially the potential of developments such as DLSS 4 and FSR 4 β itβs hard not to feel a little let down at how the launches have gone so far. Still, if you need a reminder of just what colossal levels of gaming power you could be getting if you wait long enough and save up that $2,000, check out our Nvidia RTX 5090 review for a full picture of its performance and features.
