The highly anticipated RTX 5090 and 5080 finally hit the market, only to sell out almost instantly across major retailers. With demand far exceeding supply, resale prices have skyrocketed—especially for the RTX 5090, which is now listed for as much as $9,000 on eBay, a staggering 350% markup from its $1,999 MSRP.
The reason for this extreme pricing goes beyond gaming. The RTX 5090’s powerful AI processing capabilities make it highly desirable for businesses and startups working with artificial intelligence. Since Nvidia’s datacenter GPUs are prohibitively expensive, the 5090 has become a sought-after alternative, further driving demand in an already supply-constrained market.
Gamers Fight Back Against Scalpers
Frustrated by scalpers and automated bots snatching up stock, the gaming community has launched a counterattack on eBay—flooding the platform with misleading listings that sell framed pictures of the RTX 5090 instead of the actual GPU.
One listing warns: “Bots and scalpers welcome. Do not buy if you are human. You will be getting a framed photo of the 5090, not the GPU. The frame is from Target. DO NOT BUY IF YOU’RE A HUMAN.”
Another completed auction, which sold for $2,457, was titled: “GeForce RTX 5090 (Read Description) Picture Only – Not the Actual Item.” The description made it clear that the listing was for an image, with no refunds offered.
A Competitive Void in the GPU Market
The scalping frenzy highlights a deeper issue—the lack of real competition in the high-end GPU market. AMD’s upcoming RX 9070 series is unlikely to challenge Nvidia’s dominance, while Intel remains far behind in the performance race. With limited alternatives, Nvidia has a near-monopoly on top-tier graphics cards, leaving PC enthusiasts and gamers struggling to keep up with soaring prices and dwindling availability.
