Recently, Nvidia's new RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 graphics cards launched to high demand but fell victim to extremely low stock levels, resulting in scalpers driving prices well above the MSRP. With reported sales for the RTX 5090 hitting over $6,000 on resale sites, enthusiasts faced challenges securing these coveted GPUs. The production issues stem from faulty designs in Nvidia's Blackwell processors, impacting both the consumer and data center GPU production. While Nvidia aims to resolve these issues, the backlash from disappointed gamers grows, as many struggle to purchase what has been described as the fastest graphics card on the market.

Why are there so few RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 graphics cards available?

The shortage of RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 graphics cards can be attributed to design flaws in Nvidia's Blackwell processors, resulting in low manufacturing yields. This issue has impacted the availability of these GPUs on the market.

The RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 are part of Nvidia's Blackwell architecture, which utilizes the advanced TSMC 4N manufacturing process. Nvidia's gaming revenue significantly trails its data center revenue, indicating a prioritization of resources that may affect consumer GPU availability. Historically, such launches have led to significant demand outpacing supply, often resulting in frustrations for gamers eager to upgrade their hardware.