• Japanese retailers are proscribing Nvidia’s RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 GPUs to Japanese residents solely
• It is an try and cease vacationers from shopping for the Blackwell GPUs
• It comes after a earlier try to dam tax-free purchases

In addition to overpriced third-party fashions, Nvidia’s RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 GPUs are each tough to acquire (particularly Founders Version playing cards). And because it seems, one potential ‘simple’ different for customers has in a short time been shut down.

As reported by VideoCardz, Japanese retailers have restricted purchases of the RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 to Japanese nationals solely. This comes after earlier makes an attempt to cease vacationers from shopping for the distinguished graphics playing cards; notably, shops had blocked tax-free purchases, however they’re now taking a way more aggressive method.

Indicators in shops state that each of Nvidia’s high-end GPUs will not be bought to anybody who intends on utilizing the GPU outdoors of the nation, successfully shutting out all vacationers from shopping for. Prospects will reportedly be put via a ‘Japanese resident’ check earlier than buying.

It is a spotlight of the brief provide and excessive demand scenario surrounding graphics playing cards proper now, and it is maybe fairly an amusing tactic from customers contemplating the shortage of availability at launch worth, elsewhere. On paper catching a aircraft to a different nation to purchase a GPU seems like an excessive measure, however I suppose a flight to Japan might price lower than the inflation differential in different areas.

It could sound like an excessive measure, but it surely’s truly somewhat acquainted. Nvidia at present has its Verified Precedence Entry scheme in place, which permits US prospects to order a possibility to purchase both an RTX 5090 or RTX 5080 Founders Version GPU; the catch is that you need to have made an Nvidia account on or earlier than January 30 to be eligible.

This prevents scalpers from spoiling the celebration for real patrons, whereas additionally guaranteeing there’s sufficient to go round for customers within the US (though, it would be good to see this change into out there for extra areas), notably in a time of excessive demand.

Leaping via these hurdles to get an RTX 5000 is not price it if you happen to ask me…

As I write this text on an RTX 5080 laptop computer, I can testify to how good the Blackwell GPUs are. Nevertheless, going to a different area to purchase a graphics card is not well worth the problem.

Since I am hooked on high-end gaming experiences at excessive resolutions, I might by no means flip down the chance for a powerhouse GPU. For different players although, it isn’t a necessity, and Steam’s newest {hardware} survey outcomes present that 1080p remains to be probably the most extensively used decision.