Nvidia is introducing a ‘priority access’ program to help fans purchase the highly sought-after GeForce RTX 5080 and 5090 Founders Edition graphics cards. The limited supply of these GPUs has made them almost impossible to buy. Nvidia’s new initiative aims to ensure genuine gamers, rather than scalpers, can get their hands on these powerful cards.
The ‘Verified Priority Access’ program is an invite-only scheme where users can apply for access. Interested buyers must have an existing Nvidia account. Accounts created after January 30th are not eligible.
Applicants will be asked to choose their preferred graphics card, the RTX 5090 or 5080. Nvidia will then use an algorithm to verify if the applicant is a real gamer by analyzing their Nvidia app and GeForce Experience usage before offering a chance to purchase the card. There is a limit of one card per person.
Invites will begin rolling out next week,” writes Nvidia. However, the company has not disclosed the number of cards allocated for this program. This raises questions about its effectiveness in curbing scalping.
This move shows Nvidia’s commitment to prioritizing its loyal gaming community amid ongoing supply challenges.
Priority access for gamers
The Verified Priority Access program, available for previous generations like the RTX 40 series, allows NVIDIA to reward its loyal customers.
This exclusive access ensures that consumer GPUs are utilized for their intended purpose. It discourages the practice of reselling them at inflated prices. While the current availability of the RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 remains strained, the Verified Priority Access program seems to be the most reliable way to secure these GPUs at a reasonable price.
This program is exclusively for US consumers and limited to FE models available for purchase from the NVIDIA marketplace. Variants from AIB partners like ASUS or MSI will not be included. Subscribe to our daily digest to stay updated on the latest technology news.
The Newegg Shuffle lottery system has also returned, giving consumers another chance to buy the RTX 50-series graphics cards at full price. The system, first introduced during the pandemic, was designed to manage the overwhelming demand for graphics hardware. Newegg’s Shuffle system requires users to sign up for a chance to purchase the graphics cards, which will be marked with an “Enter the Shuffle” button instead of the usual “Add To Cart.” This method helps reduce the chaos associated with high-demand product launches, although it doesn’t guarantee everyone will get a card.
The staggered release of these new cards aims to address supply issues, though actual stock levels remain uncertain. Draw systems like Newegg Shuffle and similar initiatives by other retailers have been implemented to manage demand but remain an imperfect solution. The community remains hopeful that the availability of these graphics cards will improve over time.
Stay tuned for more updates and prepare your systems for the upcoming launch dates.
Photo by; Jose G. Ortega Castro on Unsplash
