Nvidia’s latest RTX 50 series graphics cards have launched to overwhelming demand—but also to frustration and confusion, even within the company itself. Reports indicate that Nvidia employees were unable to secure an RTX 5080 or RTX 5090 at launch, highlighting severe stock shortages that left both consumers and insiders empty-handed.
According to a report from Moore’s Law is Dead, many Nvidia employees are furious about how the launch was managed. In a rare turn of events, the company’s internal store also had no GPUs available for staff—a situation that has never happened before. Typically, Nvidia insiders get early access to new hardware, but this time, they’ve been told they won’t be able to purchase the new GPUs until “widespread stabilization” of inventory is achieved.
Insiders Express Frustration Over Supply Issues
One alleged Nvidia engineer, speaking to Moore’s Law is Dead, revealed the extent of internal dissatisfaction:
“I, along with every colleague I’ve spoken to, am outraged by how this launch has been handled. No one at Nvidia can get their hands on these GPUs. There’s a lot of confusion and frustration internally about why the gaming community has been left in the dark this time around.”
The employee storefront explicitly cited shortages, stating that RTX 50 series stock won’t be available until the market stabilizes. This lack of supply has raised concerns, not just among consumers but also within Nvidia itself, as insiders question why the launch was executed in such a manner.
Retailers Struggle to Fulfill Pre-Orders
The supply crisis isn’t limited to Nvidia’s internal operations. Retailers worldwide are also feeling the pinch. Overclockers UK, a major PC hardware retailer, recently announced that it could take up to 16 weeks to fulfill all RTX 5090 pre-orders. Given the extreme demand, many stores have even stopped accepting new pre-orders altogether.
With supply failing to meet expectations, the gaming community is left wondering: Why did Nvidia launch the RTX 50 series so early?
Was Nvidia Rushing to Avoid Tariffs?
Speculation has been circulating that Nvidia may have rushed the launch to avoid tariffs imposed under former President Donald Trump’s trade policies. If that’s the case, some argue the company might have been better off waiting until more stock was available before launching the highly anticipated GPUs.
While strong sales and pre-order numbers are generally seen as positive indicators for a product, this botched launch has left a dent in Nvidia’s reputation. Despite the backlash, however, Nvidia continues to dominate the GPU market, and no serious competitors are poised to challenge its supremacy anytime soon.
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