Nvidia’s highly anticipated GeForce RTX 5080 and 5090 graphics cards were expected to be a game-changer for gamers looking to upgrade their rigs. However, just hours after launching last week, both cards completely sold out online and in physical stores across the U.S. The quick disappearance of these cards has sparked rumors of a “paper launch,” leaving eager buyers frustrated and confused. Here’s what happened and what we know about the situation.

A Pre-launch Warning

Before the launch, Nvidia’s Tim Adams, the head of the GeForce community, warned that stock for the new RTX 5080 and 5090 cards would likely be limited. He anticipated high demand and even suggested there could be stock-outs. Unfortunately, his prediction came true—and then some. As soon as these graphics cards went live, they were gone in an instant. Retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, Newegg, and Micro Center all saw their stocks vanish within minutes, with Newegg even issuing a statement acknowledging the overwhelming response.

A Truly Limited Release?

Reports from various system integrators, companies that build pre-configured PCs, revealed the incredibly limited stock available at launch. One major U.S. system integrator received only a single RTX 5090 on launch day, while another company managed to get only 20 cards, which they sold out in just three minutes. For a highly anticipated product, this feels like an unusually graphics small release. Micro Center, a major electronics retailer, has already posted a banner on its website saying they are working hard to restock more Nvidia RTX 50-series GPUs—but the wait may be long.

The Wait Continues

The shortage isn’t expected to be resolved anytime soon. Overclockers UK, a well-known U.K. retailer, has said it could be anywhere from two to six weeks before they see more RTX 5080s in stock and up to 16 weeks for the RTX 5090. Even a Reddit user who managed to secure an RTX 5090 at Best Buy won’t receive their graphics card until February 21. For buyers in the U.S., the situation seems just as grim.

So, What Went Wrong?

While it’s not entirely clear whether Nvidia didn’t produce enough graphics cards to meet demand or intentionally limited the release, the fact remains that demand for these new GPUs is incredibly high. According to the Steam hardware survey from January 2025, many gamers are still using older graphics cards like the RTX 3060, which is two generations behind the RTX 50-series. Plus, upcoming games like Avowed and Monster Hunter: Wilds are starting to recommend the use of 40-series cards to fully experience ray tracing.

A Frustrating Situation for Gamers

For those who were hoping to upgrade their gaming setup, this shortage is a major disappointment. With supply chains still recovering from the pandemic’s disruptions, it feels like a déjà vu moment for gamers who remember the challenges of finding affordable hardware during COVID-19. This time, however, the issue isn’t about inflated prices or scarcity caused by external factors—it’s simply a case of not enough stock being made available.

Nvidia’s highly anticipated RTX 5080 and 5090 graphics cards sold out almost instantly, leaving eager buyers empty-handed. The rapid disappearance has fueled speculation about limited stock and whether it was a “paper launch.”

What’s Next for Nvidia?

As of now, it’s unclear when Nvidia will replenish stocks of the RTX 50-series. The company’s decision to limit the launch or its inability to keep up with demand has left a sour taste for many. But with the demand clearly there, Nvidia will likely work on restocking in the coming months. Gamers, however, will have to keep checking back regularly to see when these powerful new GPUs are finally available.

For now, patience is key—though for many, that might be a hard pill to swallow after the excitement of launch day.