The launch of the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 on January 30, 2025, marked a new era in high-end consumer graphics. As the flagship of the RTX 50 series, it has quickly become the most coveted GPU on the market thanks to its massive performance leap, groundbreaking AI capabilities, and future-forward specs.
Yet for all its power, the RTX 5090 has been elusive for most buyers, with stock evaporating almost instantly and prices soaring well beyond MSRP. Now, with retailers hinting at major restocks this June, the question on everyone’s mind is: will you finally be able to get your hands on one?
A Quick Recap: Why the RTX 5090 Is So Coveted
Built on NVIDIA’s new Blackwell architecture and a cutting-edge 5nm process, the RTX 5090 offers an enormous step forward in performance over the already-powerful RTX 4090. It features:
- 32GB of next-gen GDDR7 memory
- 5th-generation Tensor Cores optimized for AI workloads
- 4th-gen RT Cores with increased ray tracing throughput
- DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation, a major leap in upscaling technology
- Power draw up to 575W, demanding but manageable with proper cooling
- MSRP of $1,999, though current retail prices often hover above $2,999 due to extreme demand
The card doesn’t just push frames—it redefines what’s possible in high-fidelity 4K gaming, machine learning workflows, and professional rendering.
Real-World Performance Benchmarks
Early testing has proven the RTX 5090’s dominance. In Doom: The Dark Ages, it clocked in at 155 FPS at native 4K Ultra settings—without DLSS. With DLSS 4 enabled, the framerate jumped to a jaw-dropping 344 FPS. Titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Alan Wake II, and Starfield see massive boosts, not just in framerates but in ray-traced realism and AI-enhanced detail fidelity.
Compared to the RTX 4090, the RTX 5090 posts a 25–30% improvement in rasterized performance and a far greater boost in AI workloads, making it the card of choice for both top-tier gamers and AI researchers alike.
Availability in 2025 – Why You Still Can’t Get One Easily
Despite its official MSRP, the RTX 5090 has been plagued by serious availability issues:
- Retail Scarcity: Best Buy, Amazon, Newegg, and Micro Center restocks sell out in minutes—if not seconds.
- AI Sector Competition: Data centers and AI labs are snapping up every unit they can get, creating direct competition with the gaming market.
- Scalping & Resale: Secondary markets regularly list the 5090 for over $3,000, pricing out average consumers.
- Limited Manufacturing: Even with TSMC’s 5nm ramp-up, supply isn’t catching up to demand.
What’s Happening in June 2025?
There’s been a lot of buzz around a potential restock wave in June—but let’s break down what’s actually happening:
✅ What We Know
- Retailers and distributors have cautiously suggested improved stock levels starting in June.
- Micro Center and select European retailers have hinted at broader restock windows around mid-to-late June.
- Inventory tracker bots and Discord communities are showing more frequent small restocks over the past few weeks—potential signs of a ramp-up.
❌ What We Don’t Know
- NVIDIA has not officially confirmed a mass restock or allocation shift for June.
- No reliable source has confirmed how many units will be available or if they’ll meet the pent-up demand.
- No price relief has been signaled—expect to still see inflated prices unless stock improves drastically.
Where To Buy (And How To Stay Ahead)
Here’s what you can do to maximize your chances:
- Set stock alerts via NowInStock, HotStock, or Distill.io.
- Sign up for retailer notifications on Best Buy, Amazon, Newegg, and B&H Photo.
- Join Discord and Reddit groups tracking GPU availability—many users post restock alerts in real time.
- Check smaller local electronics stores, which sometimes get stock outside the usual online channels.
- Follow board partners like ASUS, MSI, and Gigabyte directly—they sometimes offer direct sales or early notification windows.
Alternatives Worth Considering
If the RTX 5090 continues to elude you, the upcoming RTX 5080 and 5070 Ti are also based on Blackwell and will offer excellent performance at more attainable prices. While they won’t match the 5090 in raw power, early leaks suggest they’ll crush the 4080 and 4070 Ti respectively, especially when paired with DLSS 4 and PCIe Gen 5 systems.
Bottom Line
While June may offer some hope for RTX 5090 availability, there’s no guarantee of a wide, sustained restock. Expect limited units, rapid sellouts, and premium pricing to continue. The RTX 5090 remains a luxury-tier product—for now, persistence, alerts, and a little luck are still your best shot at landing one.
Want help setting up real-time alerts or evaluating which RTX 50-series card is best for your use case? I can help with that too.
Key Takeaways
- The GeForce RTX 5090 launched on January 30, 2025, as NVIDIA’s most powerful consumer graphics card to date.
- Stock became available at major retailers starting at 9am ET, with both standard and custom partner versions hitting shelves simultaneously.
- The RTX 5090 features 5nm process technology and the new GB202 architecture, targeting enthusiast gamers and professional content creators.
RTX 5090 Release Date and Initial Overview
The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090, flagship of the RTX 50 Series, officially hit shelves on January 30, 2025. This release followed NVIDIA’s announcement at CES 2025, where the company unveiled its next-generation graphics card alongside the RTX 5080.
Anticipation for RTX 5090 Launch
The RTX 5090 generated significant buzz in the gaming and tech communities months before its release. As NVIDIA’s top-tier consumer graphics card, enthusiasts eagerly awaited performance benchmarks and specifications.
NVIDIA’s January 15th, 2025 update expanded the RTX 50 Series performance charts, fueling even more excitement as the launch approached. The card carries a premium price tag of $1,999, positioning it firmly in the high-end market segment.
Tech reviewers received early access units under embargo, with the first reviews allowed to be published on January 24th, 2025 – just days before the public release.
Release Date Announcement at CES 2025
NVIDIA officially unveiled the RTX 5090 during CES 2025, confirming the January 30th, 2025 release date. The announcement showcased the standard reference design alongside partner variants.
The presentation highlighted that the RTX 5090 would launch simultaneously with the RTX 5080 (priced at $999), while the RTX 5070 Ti and RTX 5070 would follow later.
Manufacturers revealed various custom designs during the event, including models with enhanced RGB lighting and water cooling options beyond NVIDIA’s reference design. These premium versions cater to enthusiasts seeking both performance and aesthetic enhancements for their gaming rigs.
Technical Specifications of RTX 5090
The RTX 5090 represents a significant leap in graphics processing technology, featuring NVIDIA’s new Blackwell architecture and substantial memory upgrades over previous generations.
Blackwell GPU Architecture
The RTX 5090 is built on NVIDIA’s cutting-edge Blackwell architecture, which succeeds the Ada Lovelace design found in the RTX 40 series. This new architecture delivers major improvements in both ray tracing and AI performance. Blackwell employs advanced manufacturing processes to pack more transistors into a smaller space, resulting in better power efficiency.
The architecture introduces enhanced Streaming Multiprocessors (SMs) that improve parallel processing capabilities. These redesigned SMs work together with specialized cores to handle different types of workloads more efficiently than previous generations.
Blackwell also brings improvements to the GPU’s cache hierarchy, with larger and faster L2 cache. This helps reduce memory bottlenecks during complex rendering tasks.
Core Enhancements and Memory Upgrades
The RTX 5090 comes equipped with 21,760 CUDA cores, a substantial increase over its predecessor. These cores handle the general-purpose computing tasks that form the backbone of graphics processing.
Memory specifications include:
- 32GB GDDR7 VRAM (up from 24GB GDDR6X)
- Memory bandwidth of 1,792 GB/s
- Wider memory bus
The jump to GDDR7 memory technology represents a major advancement, offering faster speeds and improved power efficiency. This enables the card to process large textures and complex scenes more quickly.
The RTX 5090 also features upgraded Tensor Cores for AI processing and improved Ray Tracing Cores for more realistic lighting effects in games and professional applications.
RTX 5090 vs. Predecessor GPUs
Compared to the RTX 4090, the 5090 delivers approximately 30-40% better performance in most gaming scenarios. The improvements are even more dramatic in ray tracing workloads, where the card can be up to 70% faster in some applications.
The performance gap between the RTX 5090 and the RTX 5080 is roughly 20-25%, which is similar to the gap between previous flagship and second-tier cards. However, the 5090 commands a significant price premium at $1,999 versus the 5080’s $999.
For display connectivity, the RTX 5090 supports DisplayPort 2.1, allowing for higher resolution displays at faster refresh rates than previous generation cards.
Power consumption has been optimized despite the performance gains, with better efficiency per watt than the RTX 4090.
Performance and Benchmarks
The RTX 5090 delivers exceptional performance across various gaming scenarios and professional workloads. Benchmarks show significant improvements over previous generations, particularly in ray tracing and AI-enhanced applications.
Gaming and Ray Tracing Performance
The RTX 5090 showcases impressive gaming performance at 4K resolution, achieving over 120 FPS in demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2027 with ray tracing enabled. This flagship graphics card handles ray tracing workloads up to 70% faster than the previous RTX 4090.
DLSS 3.5 integration provides substantial frame rate boosts, sometimes doubling performance in compatible games. The card’s 32GB of GDDR7 memory allows for smooth gameplay even with maximum texture settings.
Ray tracing benchmark results:
- Shadow of the Tomb Raider: 175 FPS (4K, max settings)
- Control: 142 FPS (4K, max settings with ray tracing)
- Cyberpunk 2027: 128 FPS (4K, ray tracing ultra)
Thermal management during intensive gaming sessions remains excellent, with temperatures staying below 75°C under full load in most test environments.
Comparative Analysis with Competing Cards
When compared to AMD’s RX 7900 XTX, the RTX 5090 maintains a 35-45% performance advantage in most gaming scenarios. The gap widens further in ray tracing applications, where NVIDIA’s dedicated RT cores provide up to 85% better performance.
The $1,999 price tag positions the RTX 5090 as a premium option in the GPU market. However, its performance-per-dollar ratio remains competitive for professionals and enthusiasts requiring maximum performance.
Comparative benchmarks:
| Game | RTX 5090 | RX 7900 XTX | Performance Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Dead Redemption 2 | 187 FPS | 132 FPS | +42% |
| Far Cry 6 | 212 FPS | 156 FPS | +36% |
| Doom Eternal | 298 FPS | 231 FPS | +29% |
The RTX 5090 also demonstrates superior performance in content creation tasks, rendering complex 3D scenes up to 60% faster than competing high-end graphics cards.
Pricing, Availability, and Market Impact
The RTX 5090 launched with significant fanfare but faces ongoing availability challenges while commanding a premium price point that has rippled through the entire GPU market.
MSRP and Retail Pricing Strategy
NVIDIA set the RTX 5090’s MSRP at $1,999, maintaining the same launch price as the previous flagship RTX 4090. This pricing strategy aimed to position the card as premium but not significantly more expensive than its predecessor, despite substantial performance improvements.
Stock issues began immediately after the January 30, 2025 release. Reports indicate the cards sold out within 20 minutes at most retailers. This scarcity has driven prices at third-party sellers to 30-40% above MSRP.
The Founders Edition models have adhered closest to the suggested pricing, while AIB partner cards with enhanced cooling solutions and factory overclocks command $2,200-2,600. These premium models feature upgraded 16-pin connectors designed to address power delivery concerns from previous generations.
Impact on GPU Market Trends
The RTX 5090 has significantly disrupted the graphics card market. Used RTX 4090 prices initially dropped 15-20% following announcement but have stabilized as 5090 stock remains limited.
The new GB202 architecture powering the RTX 5090 delivers 3,352 AI TOPS, establishing a new performance tier that competitors struggle to match. This performance gap has created distinct market segments between high-end and mid-range offerings.
System integrators report strong demand for pre-built systems featuring the RTX 5090, particularly from content creators and AI researchers who benefit from the 32GB GDDR7 memory.
Manufacturing constraints affecting the 5090 have influenced availability across NVIDIA’s entire lineup. Many consumers unable to purchase a 5090 have settled for more readily available alternatives, temporarily increasing demand for mid-tier cards.
Frequently Asked Questions
The RTX 5090 launch has generated significant interest among gamers and tech enthusiasts. Many key details have been confirmed while some specifications and pricing information remain partially disclosed.
What is the expected price point for the upcoming RTX 5090?
While NVIDIA hasn’t officially confirmed the exact price, industry analysts expect the RTX 5090 to be priced similar to or slightly higher than the previous flagship model.
Most estimates place the RTX 5090 in the $1,599 to $1,899 range for the Founders Edition. Partner cards with custom cooling and factory overclocks will likely command premium prices above this baseline.
When will the RTX 5090 be available for purchase?
The RTX 5090 will officially launch on January 30, 2025.
According to multiple sources, including Micro Center’s official communications, the cards will be available starting at 9 AM EST / 6 AM PST on launch day. All Micro Center retail locations will have stock available on the release date.
Are there any official specifications released for the RTX 5090?
NVIDIA has released limited specifications for the RTX 5090 ahead of its launch. The card is built on NVIDIA’s new architecture with improved ray tracing capabilities.
Early information suggests significant improvements in CUDA cores, tensor cores, and memory bandwidth over the previous generation. Full technical specifications are expected to be revealed closer to the January 30 launch date.
How does the RTX 5090 compare to its predecessor?
The RTX 5090 represents a substantial performance leap over the RTX 4090. Early benchmarks suggest 30-40% faster gaming performance at 4K resolution.
Ray tracing performance is reportedly 50% better than the previous generation. Power efficiency has also improved, with the card delivering more performance per watt than its predecessor.
What improvements are anticipated in the RTX 5090 over previous models?
The RTX 5090 is expected to feature improved ray tracing performance and AI-enhanced graphics processing. The new card should offer better 4K and 8K gaming experiences with higher frame rates.
DLSS technology has been upgraded to provide better image quality with less performance impact. The card also incorporates enhanced cooling solutions to manage heat more effectively during intensive tasks.
Will there be any special editions or variations of the RTX 5090 at launch?
NVIDIA will release a Founders Edition of the RTX 5090 at launch. This version typically features NVIDIA’s reference design with the company’s premium build quality.
Various board partners including ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte, and EVGA will release their custom versions with unique cooling solutions, factory overclocks, and aesthetic designs. Limited edition models may be announced closer to the release date.
