NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 5090 Launch Sparks International Commotion; Japan Faces Turbulent Release and Global Retailers Struggle with Low Stock Levels

The launch of NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 5090 has ignited quite the frenzy, sparking what many are calling a “release chaos.” This is largely due to the incredibly limited availability, leaving eager consumers feeling frustrated and sidelined.

NVIDIA’s flagship RTX Blackwell GPU is in high demand, but the low stock levels are causing significant frustration. We previously informed our readers about the expected initial scarcity of these GPUs, as NVIDIA had warned us in advance. However, it seems the consumer excitement has exceeded expectations, leading to what some are describing as “inventory chaos.” A particularly interesting scenario has unfolded in Japan, where, according to a user named @sarasteam0151, fans of the new NVIDIA RTX 5090 became quite unruly during its launch.

In an attempt to manage demand, Japanese retailers tried a “lottery” system for the early release of the GeForce RTX 5090. This was intended to give everyone a fair shot and to prevent scalpers from sweeping up the available units. Despite these efforts, the event descended into chaos as frustrated customers resorted to extreme measures, with some even climbing fences of a nearby kindergarten in their excitement and dismay.

Meanwhile, it’s not just Japan facing these issues. Over in the U.S., the situation is similarly dire. Reports suggest that retailers like MicroCenter received only a handful of RTX 5090 units, with some locations receiving as few as four. The anticipation was so intense that people began camping outside stores days before the official release, making it nearly impossible for the average consumer to secure a unit.

The crux of the supply issue seems to lie in NVIDIA’s integration of GDDR7 memory modules. This integration is significantly affecting production levels. Additionally, AIB partners, facing slim profit margins on the RTX 50 series GPUs, are opting to sell at prices above the MSRP, further complicating the situation. For now, we recommend patience. Inventory is expected to stabilize in the coming weeks, and by that time, AMD’s RX 9070 series GPUs might also have made their debut, possibly offering consumers more options.