NVIDIA’s RTX 50 Series Cards Sell Out in Minutes Amid Supply Shortages

• NVIDIA’s recent restock of RTX 50 series graphics cards sold out almost instantly in Germany.
• This marks NVIDIA’s first direct sales after a two-month hiatus and follows significant price hikes in the graphics card market.
• The tighter supply chain and rising costs have made public version cards rare commodities in the current market.

On February 1, reports surfaced that NVIDIA’s official German store saw a highly anticipated restock of its RTX 50 series Founders Edition graphics cards, marking the first availability in two months. The urgency in the market is evident as prices for non-public graphics cards have surged beyond 3,000 euros, making this release a focal point for gamers and scalpers alike.

According to sources, on January 30, NVIDIA introduced the public version of its RTX 50 series graphics cards in Germany, which includes three models: RTX 5090, RTX 5080, and RTX 5070, all priced at the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP). The rapid sellout of these cards illustrates the immense demand in today’s market.

The flagship RTX 5090 Founders Edition, priced at 2,099 euros, sold out within a mere 8 minutes, while the RTX 5080 Founders Edition, costing 1,059 euros, vanished in 20 minutes. The RTX 5070 Founders Edition had a slightly longer availability, lasting approximately three hours before being claimed. This reveals a fierce competition among consumers desperate to acquire these sought-after graphics cards.

The current graphics card landscape is shaped by significant supply constraints, particularly in the memory sector, along with increasing procurement costs. As a result, non-public version graphics cards from various partners have witnessed substantial price increases, forcing players to rely almost entirely on public version graphics cards to purchase at the official MSRP. The last instance of public version availability was back in early December, making this restock even more significant.

Notably, NVIDIA appears to be evolving its sales strategy in this latest release. This time, the company opted to handle orders directly rather than utilizing third-party platforms, a shift from traditional practices such as working with distributors like notebooksbilliger.de. This change aims to streamline the purchasing experience for consumers.

Industry insiders suggest that NVIDIA’s reliance on add-in card (AIC) partners for distribution impacts the availability of public version cards. The production capacity is intentionally limited, and shipment volumes are closely monitored to avoid disrupting the interests of NVIDIA’s channel vendors. This strategic approach reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to balancing availability with market dynamics.

While gamers celebrate the brief opportunity to buy graphics cards at their intended prices, this restock highlights the ongoing challenges of a market grappling with high demand and constrained supply. Moving forward, NVIDIA’s approach and the graphics card market’s evolution will be worth following as technology continues to advance and consumer desires elevate.

As NVIDIA navigates this complex landscape, the RTX 50 series serves not merely as a product but as a testament to the high stakes of the gaming hardware market. Consumers and enthusiasts alike remain hopeful for future restocks, yet the ongoing volatility indicates that further challenges may lie ahead.

In conclusion, NVIDIA’s restock of the RTX 50 series graphics cards has further illustrated the challenges and excitement that characterize today’s GPU market. With swift sellouts and strategic sales approaches, NVIDIA continues to play a crucial role in defining the landscape of gaming technology.