With widespread Nvidia RTX 5080 and RTX 5090 GPU shortages expected, buyers at least have some new Best Buy SKUs to monitor. Unfortunately, most listings are for Gigabyte RTX 5080 graphics cards priced higher than the $999.99 Founders Edition. These models are overclocked or offer enhanced cooling to score the highest benchmarks. While there are no RTX 5080 preorder options, buyers can set up Best Buy stock alerts before the January 30th release date.
Best Buy is a popular destination each time Nvidia releases a new generation of GPUs. Unlike most online retailers, North American buyers can purchase graphics cards or pick up orders in person. So far, there are no reports of customers lining up outside stores, like seen at the Tustin, California Micro Center.
Even with mostly Gigabyte RTX 5080 SKUs listed so far, there are at least seven different models to choose from. The most affordable GPU is the $999 GeForce RTX 5080 Windforce OC SFF 16G. The card may entice buyers with a higher GPU boost clock frequency than the Founders Edition. At the other end of the spectrum, the GeForce RTX 5080 Xtreme Waterforce 16G boasts an AIO liquid cooler and costs $1399.99.
Other retailers like Newegg have launched product pages for RTX 5080 and RTX 5090 models from Gigabyte, MSI, Asus, PNY, and Zotac. However, prices on these graphics cards have not yet been confirmed. Besides the Founders Edition, Best Buy has not revealed pricing for custom RTX 5090 GPUs, which may be the hardest of all RTX 50 series cards to acquire.
MSI is just one manufacturer sounding alarm bells over stock levels. Scalpers are already planning to sell the RTX 50 series for inflated prices. Founders Edition cards often experience especially high markups, but the overclocked Gigabyte RTX 5080 GPUs could see jaw-dropping asking prices.