Nvidia RTX 5090 eBay Price Hits $9,000 Amid User Revolt Using Framed Photo Listings to Outsmart Bots and Scalpers

The much-anticipated RTX 5090 and 5080 GPUs finally hit the market yesterday, setting the tech world abuzz. These high-powered, high-priced graphics cards quickly became hot commodities, selling out at most retail outlets and leaving many eager buyers disappointed.

The scarcity has led to rampant scalping, particularly with the RTX 5090, which is now being resold on platforms like eBay at astronomical prices. Shortly after launch, these GPUs were being snapped up for over $6,000, and prices have since soared to a staggering peak of $9,000—a 350% markup from the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $1,999.

So, why are people willing to shell out such exorbitant sums for these GPUs? The RTX 5090 isn't just a powerhouse for gaming; it's also a valuable asset for AI workloads. Startups and businesses in the AI sector are eager to acquire these chips to run models locally. With Nvidia's Datacenter GPUs often out of reach for many, the RTX 5090 emerges as the next best option, despite its inflated aftermarket prices.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 – Photos

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However, the gaming community isn't taking the supply shortage and scalpers lying down. eBay is now flooded with deceptive listings designed to trick buyers into purchasing an *image* of the RTX 5090, rather than the card itself. One such listing humorously warns, "Bots and scalpers welcome, do not buy if you are a human, you will be getting a framed photo of the 5090, you will not receive the 5090. The photo dimensions are 8 inches by 8 inches, I got the frame from Target. DO NOT BUY IF YOU’RE A HUMAN.” Another sold listing for $2,457 clearly states, “Geforce RTX 5090 (read description) Picture Only - Not the Actual Item,” with a similar disclaimer about no refunds for the image, which is not the RTX 5090 itself.

The underlying problem stems from the lack of competition in the high-end consumer GPU market. With AMD’s RX 9070 series unlikely to challenge Nvidia's dominance in terms of power, and Intel trailing behind, Nvidia holds a commanding position. The shortage of cards and their staggering price points create a challenging landscape for high-end PC builders and enthusiasts.