The highly anticipated launch of Nvidia's RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 graphics cards on January 30th has ignited a frenzy among PC enthusiasts. Our RTX 5090 review hailed it as the fastest consumer graphics card available, fueling intense excitement for this new generation. While the $2,000 RTX 5090 and $1,000 RTX 5080 command premium prices, demand is exceptionally high. Reports suggest extremely limited stock, with one UK retailer claiming to have only single-digit quantities of the RTX 5090.

This scarcity has led to an unusual sight: campers have set up tents outside a Micro Center in Tustin, California, days before the launch. Images circulating on Reddit and the Unofficial Micro Center Discord channel show multiple tents occupied by individuals awaiting the release. While some claim to be purchasing for personal use, speculation of scalpers aiming to profit from the low stock persists. One camper, identified in a Reddit thread, confirmed their intention to purchase for personal use, emphasizing their business schedule allows for the wait. The Discord channel indicates approximately 24 people, across 10 tents, are currently waiting.

Micro Center, in a YouTube video, discouraged this camping, advising against enduring the cold January weather. Their launch strategy will utilize a voucher system, allocating cards on a first-come, first-served basis. Customers will not be able to choose a specific model and are limited to one purchase per person. Despite discouraging camping, Micro Center recommends early arrival to secure a purchase.

This isn't a new phenomenon; YouTuber Austin Evans documented similar scenes at the same Tustin location during the RTX 3070 launch in 2020.