Getting hold of the best and latest graphics card for a decent price can feel like a faraway wish with NVIDIA's upcoming GeForce RTX 50 series. However, some rays of hope and reality exist that we need to discuss.
NVIDIA Priority Lane for Old Faithfuls: Verified Priority Access
Remember wrestling through bots and exorbitant prices for a new GPU? NVIDIA remembers and is instituting the Verified Priority Access Program for the RTX 50 "Blackwell" generation to relieve some suffering. This is like a VIP pass for hardcore Team Green fans.
The premise is as follows:
- The purpose: To get Founders Edition GeForce RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 cards into the hands of real gamers and creators in the USA.
- The benefit: Purchase these sought-after cards straight from the NVIDIA Marketplace at MSRP (Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price). You heard that correctly - MSRP.
- Eligibility: You had to have an NVIDIA Account made before January 30, 2025. Accounts made after this date may have missed the first wave.
- Limited: "Priority access" is limited. NVIDIA will select a limited number of verified users with no guarantees of access.
- Founders Edition Only: This program is only for NVIDIA's Founders Edition cards, not partner cards from ASUS or MSI.
"We know it’s challenging to purchase a GeForce RTX 50 Series graphics card. Today, we’re introducing Verified Priority Access for the GeForce RTX 50 Series. It will give a limited number of verified GeForce gamers & creators in the U.S. the opportunity to purchase one GeForce RTX 5090 or RTX 5080 Founders Edition graphics card from the NVIDIA Marketplace," NVIDIA
For a U.S. resident and long-time NVIDIA user meeting the account criteria, this program might be the best opportunity to get an RTX 5090 or 5080 at MSRP, avoiding scalpers. However, hopes should not be too high.
Clouds On The Supply Horizon: Lower-End RTX 50 Cards Could Be Rare
While the Priority Access program offers hope for some, a report from Taiwanese media suggests gloomy prospects for the rest of the RTX 50 series launch, especially lower-tier cards.
The RTX 5070, RTX 5060 Ti, and RTX 5060 may be difficult to obtain, at least initially.
- Earthquake Aftermath: Wafer production has reportedly been affected by a recent earthquake in Taiwan, a major semiconductor manufacturing hub. This impacts NVIDIA's new releases supply chain.
- Performance Debugging: Rumors suggest some RTX 50 Series chips are being debugged for performance issues, further limiting availability of some models.
- RTX 5070 Ti Supply Trouble: Limited RTX 5070 Ti supply was already anticipated before these reports, with reviews suggesting underwhelming performance gains and potentially high pricing.
- Launch Delays Anticipated: The RTX 5070 was rumored to launch on March 5, alongside AMD's Radeon RX 9070 series, but earthquake and chip issues may delay the entire spectrum, including RTX 5060 and 5060 Ti expected in April.
- VRAM Issues: The RTX 5070 and RTX 5060 might have limited VRAM, which could be a downside for budget-minded consumers.
- RTX 5060 Ti 16GB: A Silver Lining? The 16GB RTX 5060 Ti could be the most attractive option for budget gamers, offering a balance of VRAM and performance.
- RTX 5050 Desktop? Don't Hold Your Breath: A desktop RTX 5050 card is less likely to be manufactured and may remain a laptop-only option.
RTX 50 series hunters face mixed fortunes.
The NVIDIA Verified Priority Access program offers hope for securing RTX 5090s/5080s at MSRP, but it is limited. Supply chain disruptions and chip issues suggest obtaining any RTX 50 series card, especially affordable ones, could be challenging at launch. Expect delays, scarcity, and the familiar GPU hunting experience. Best of luck to fellow gamers.
