Getting an RTX 5080 or an RTX 5090 GPU has been a difficult process for many buyers, and it’s even harder if it’s a Founders Edition model, but NVIDIA wants to change that with its newly announced Priority Access program. NVIDIA launched one of these for the RTX 4090 back when it was new and this one is going to be more or less the same thing. There is one key difference though. You have a much better chance of being given priority access this time around.
You can think of Priority Access as NVIDIA’s way to combat scalpers. Since the launch of the RTX 50-series GPUs, it seems like a large portion of GPUs were, like always, scooped up by scalpers who are probably using bot programs to place purchases. This resulted in stock being depleted, only to be followed by listings of GPUs on sites like eBay for two, three, or even four times the original price.
Priority Access should change that significantly. Unlike last time, NVIDIA is taking applications from anyone who’s interested in getting priority access. You can fill out this form to show your interest. If you’re lucky, NVIDIA will select you to purchase a card. The form is simple and only asks for two things. You simply need to check a box indicating which model of the GPU you want to buy and agree that you’re allowing NVIDIA to verify your participation request.
The NVIDIA Priority Access plan lets you buy an RTX 5080 or an RTX 5090 Founders Edition
While filling out NVIDIA’s form doesn’t guarantee that you’ll be selected, if you are, you’ll be given the choice to buy the card you want. According to The Verge, NVIDIA also uses an algorithm to verify certain factors of your account.
First, it verifies that you have an active NVIDIA account. Chances are, you may already have one. You’d need it to update your drivers in the NVIDIA app. After it verifies the account is active, the algorithm can look at your usage inside both the NVIDIA app and the GeForce NOW app. This is to see if you’re not just a bot trying to buy a card.
Your account has to be older than January 30, 2025
There’s no doubt that many scalpers may have created NVIDIA accounts on January 30 to get access to the GPUs. The RTX 50-series didn’t officially launch until 6AM PST. This gave scalpers 6 hours to get the account set up. However, the Priority Access program only selects users who have accounts that were created before January 30. So there’s no way of getting around this, so it would seem.
NVIDIA also says that selections to purchase a card will be made by email. Emails are being sent out next week, so you won’t need to furiously refresh your inbox until then.
