NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 5090 Launch Turns Chaotic: Japan Experiences Turbulent Release and Global Retailers Report Inventory Shortages

NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 5090 launch has stirred quite a storm, as many anticipated, resulting in low inventory and widespread buyer frustration.

NVIDIA’s newest flagship, the RTX Blackwell GPU, is experiencing significant demand, but the limited availability has left many potential buyers exasperated. We’ve kept you in the loop about how the inventory for Team Green’s RTX Blackwell series is one of the lowest seen in recent launches. While NVIDIA did hint at this scarcity before issuing the initial SKUs, the buzz among consumers exceeded expectations. This fervor has led to what some are calling “inventory chaos” across retailers, particularly catching attention in Japan. There, early reports from @sarasteam0151 highlight the chaos, with consumers going “rogue” during the launch, creating unanticipated disturbances.

The rollout in Japan implemented a “lottery” system to ensure a fair distribution of the GeForce RTX 5090 to early buyers, aiming to curb scalpers’ influence on the market. Yet, the plan seemed to backfire, as the scene turned chaotic. Reports indicate that some consumers, in their impatience, even climbed a nearby kindergarten’s fence, as they vented their frustrations over the process.

The situation is hardly different across the globe. In the U.S., for instance, places like Micro Center reportedly received only a “single-digit” number of RTX 5090 units. Unsurprisingly, eager consumers camped outside stores days before the official launch, making it nearly impossible for the average buyer to secure a unit right now. Many fans who had hoped to snag an RTX Blackwell on day one were left disappointed, but this is the reality of the current launch phase.

For those wondering why the stock levels are unusually low this time, the integration of GDDR7 memory modules by NVIDIA appears to be a key factor. Adding to the challenge, AIB partners are receiving thin margins on the RTX 50 series GPUs, pushing them to hike prices above the suggested retail prices. Until stock levels normalize, which may take several weeks, we advise consumers to hold off. By then, we might also see AMD’s RX 9070 series hitting the shelves, potentially shaking up the market dynamics further.