Key Takeaways
1. Scalpers are taking advantage of high demand and low supply for GPUs, making it hard for gamers and enthusiasts to buy them at retail prices.
2. The MSI RTX 5090 Lightning Z is a high-performance GPU priced at $5,090, but it has been listed on eBay for as much as $14,900.
3. Despite the high prices, other listings for the RTX 5090 Lightning Z range from $6,800 to $8,000, highlighting the variability in the market.
4. The GPU has significant overclocking potential, with a modified BIOS allowing it to draw up to 2,500 watts, although this can lead to risks like damaging the card.
5. For those seeking more affordable options, the RTX 5070 Windforce from Gigabyte is available for $629, providing a reasonable alternative to the extremely priced RTX 5090 Lightning Z.
Scalpers have become a common sight at GPU launches throughout the 2020s. With poor supply and high demand for AI, exclusive high-value products often fall prey to price gouging. This situation frequently keeps these sought-after items out of the hands of genuine enthusiasts and gamers.
MSI RTX 5090 Lightning Z: A Record-Breaking GPU
The MSI RTX 5090 Lightning Z stands out as a truly impressive liquid-cooled GPU, having already shattered numerous world records. One of these records, however, ended tragically, resulting in the GPU being destroyed. With a price tag of $5,090, this massive GPU delivers about 10% more performance than the already powerful Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090.
Listings and Prices
Right now on eBay, there are several listings for the RTX 5090 Lightning Z at outrageous prices. The most absurd one we’ve seen is by e_spot61, who is asking for a staggering $14,900 for a GPU that retails for $5,090. At least the seller has a perfect 100% positive feedback rating.
Interestingly, there are other RTX 5090 Lightning Zs available for much lower prices, ranging from $6,800 to $8,000. It’s puzzling why someone would pay double for the same card, but there are still several listings above $10,000 that remain active.
Overclocking Potential
Given the card’s attractiveness to overclockers, many enthusiasts might be willing to pay these high premiums. The GPU features a modified BIOS that enables it to draw up to a staggering 2,500 watts, creating significant overclocking potential—provided there’s sufficient cooling, of course.
As previously noted, one overclocker managed to break a Geekbench 5 record using this BIOS setting but unfortunately ended up destroying the GPU in the process.
For most people, it would probably be wise to consider something like the RTX 5070 Windforce from Gigabyte, which is available for $629 on Amazon. Ironically, the Lightning Z makes the already outrageous GPU prices seem somewhat reasonable.