NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 GPUs from the new “Blackwell” era launch on January 30, but standalone cards are in short supply. I’ve been keeping an eye on stock listings, rumors, and official statements from NVIDIA, and it looks like the new GPUs will sell out in mere moments. Worse, it could be weeks or months before stock returns, and that’s excluding the scalpers taking advantage of the shortage to jack up prices.
I completely understand the appeal of these GPUs, especially if you’re coming from hardware that’s more than a few years old. Those who don’t manage to land a new GPU on launch day or the weeks following might not be able to wait any longer, which is why I’ve put together this list of pre-built gaming PCs featuring the RTX 5090 and RTX 5080.
I’ll keep the listings updated regularly, as I don’t doubt that there will be more RTX 5000 pre-built gaming PCs coming to market in the near future. Also, be sure to check out our live blog on where to buy RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 for a lot more information.
Best pre-built gaming PCs with RTX 5090 and RTX 5080
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A lot of these pre-built PCs are set to go on sale on January 30, and I’m not expecting to see stock last long. Nevertheless, I’m leaving the links up so you can check in as many times as you want. More options will undoubtedly filter out in the coming days, and I’ll keep this list updated. I’ve noted which GPU is inside each PC to help you shop.
When do NVIDIA’s RTX 5080 and RTX 5090 launch?
NVIDIA launched its first two Blackwell GPUs on January 30 at 9 AM EST / 3PM CET. Standalone GPUs sold out immediately, but I urge you to keep an eye on our live blog with details about where to buy RTX 5090 and RTX 5080. We’re keeping a close eye on retailers on launch day and the days that follow to ensure you don’t miss any restocks.
Should I buy an RTX 5090 or RTX 5080 pre-built gaming PC?
If you can’t wait any longer to land a new RTX 5000 GPU, a pre-built gaming PC might be your best option. Custom builders usually get a lot of stock, and as long as you don’t mind buying all the rest of the hardware, you’ll probably have better luck with availability in the first few months after launch.
Buying a pre-built does come with some caveats. While builders like Maingear and iBuyPower will put together a PC of your choosing (everything down to the cables can be customized), pre-built models from other brands like ASUS, Dell, Lenovo, and HP use proprietary parts that get in the way of future upgrades. As long as you know what you’re getting into, a pre-built can save you a lot of time.
Should you buy and RTX 5080 or an RTX 5090?
Which GPU you choose ultimately comes down to budget and requirements. The RTX 5090 Founders Edition $1,999 MSRP is just the start, with custom cards coming in far above NVIDIA’s set pricing. That puts it out of reach for the average gamer.
Windows Central Senior Editor Ben Wilson reviewed the RTX 5090 and summed up the situation perfectly:
“While NVIDIA’s admirable efforts to redesign and slim down its flagship GeForce RTX graphics card have paid off with a performance bump comparable to its MSRP, it’s still practically impossible to recommend the RTX 5090 FE to any levelheaded PC gamer. Sure, it’s technically the best in its category; this stands as the world’s best consumer GPU, but the RTX 5080 remains a more sensible high-end pick for anyone who isn’t in a professional field working with AI. Even if you found it at MSRP, I’d still recommend a third-party RTX 5090 with a more robust triple-fan setup to avoid the Founders Edition’s increased temperatures.”
That leaves the RTX 5080 as the more affordable alternative — at least until the RTX 5070 and RTX 5070 Ti launch in February — at a $999 MSRP for the Founders Edition. Custom cards generally cost more, but you can still get a lot of power for less than the RTX 5090.
Generational improvements in terms of raw power aren’t too impressive, with NVIDIA relying heavily on DLSS 4‘s Multi Frame Generation to boost performance. If you already have an RTX 4080 or RTX 4080 SUPER, you can probably wait for the next generation. However, those with a 30-series or older card will be in for a treat.
My colleague Ben Wilson also reviewed the RTX 5080, stating:
“NVIDIA’s RTX 50 Series technically tops out with its RTX 5090 flagship card, but the realistic choice for enthusiast PC gamers is the RTX 5080. This Founders Edition redesign slims the GPU down to two slots and opts for a “Double Flow Through” fan design, which, while effective at keeping the card cool, does exhaust hot air directly at your processor. Nevertheless, a suitable CPU paired with effective cooling makes for a monstrous 4K gaming machine backed up by the black magic of DLSS 4 and Multi-Frame Gen for a smooth experience with visuals maxed out.”
