According to Tweaktown reporter Anthony Garrefa, an industry source says that the new Nvidia graphics cards are going to be in extremely limited quantity through 2020. Specifically, the source says that following each card’s launch, no further stock will be available until “the end of the year.” In other words, those hoping to buy a new video card will have to press their luck on each card’s launch day, because they’ll be missing out otherwise.

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The issue is likely to be even worse than implied, however, because Nvidia 3000 cards are certain to be available in very limited supply in the first place. The COVID-19 pandemic has slowed hardware production across industries. Both Sony and Microsoft have confirmed that PS5 and Xbox Series X supply may be limited when the consoles launch this holiday season. If this report is true and 3000 series stock isn’t being resupplied until 2021, that portrays a bleak outlook on the amount of stock for launch, too.

Further compounding the problem is Nvidia’s decision not to offer pre-orders for 3000 series cards. Pre-orders have always been used for cards in past years, but this year isn’t like other years. Those hoping to buy a new card will have to wake up on September 17 or the 24th and start refreshing online retailer listings with the hope that their timing is right, and cards could sell out in a matter of minutes.

As for whether Nvidia really had an opportunity to improve the situation, the only alternative may have been delaying the cards entirely. That may not make much sense for the company’s financials. Launching the cards right now, at the hight of next-generation gaming hype, also seems like a very smart decision. A lot of PC gamers who were considering buying a next-gen console are likely now leaning back towards PC. How many will actually be able to buy a new graphics card remains to be seen.

All this speculation is based on the possibility that this report is true, which it may not be. Perhaps Nvidia is able to keep the 3080, 3090, and later the 3070 in stock this year. Those hoping to buy a new Nvidia 3000 series video card probably shouldn’t assume so, though.

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Source: Tweaktown