Nvidia has announced a "Verified Priority Access" program to help fans purchase the highly coveted RTX 5080 and 5090 Founders Edition (FE) graphics cards, which have been nearly impossible to buy due to limited supply and scalper activity.

The program, similar to the one introduced for the RTX 4090, allows users to sign up for priority access to buy the two-slot SFF-friendly RTX 5090 and 5080 FE GPUs. To participate, users must fill out a form, which will verify their Nvidia account (created before January 30th) and ask for their preferred GPU model. An algorithm will then analyze the user's Nvidia app and GeForce Experience usage to determine if they are a genuine gamer, before offering a card.

Nvidia has not disclosed the number of cards allocated to this program, making it unclear whether this initiative will significantly increase the availability of these GPUs to gamers rather than scalpers. Invites are expected to start rolling out next week.

The launch of the RTX 5090 and 5080 FE GPUs has been marred by controversy, with users experiencing launch driver issues and reports of melting power connectors. The limited supply of these cards has only exacerbated the problem, leading to frustration among gamers who have been unable to purchase them.

This move by Nvidia is seen as an attempt to address the issue of scalpers, who have been buying up the limited stock of these GPUs and reselling them at inflated prices. By introducing a program that prioritizes genuine gamers, Nvidia aims to ensure that its products reach their intended audience.

The success of this program remains to be seen, but it marks a step in the right direction for Nvidia in addressing the concerns of its customer base. As the GPU market continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how manufacturers respond to the challenges posed by scalpers and supply chain issues.

In related news, Nvidia has also announced that RTX 50-series laptop preorders will start on February 25th, and the company has delayed the RTX 5070 until after AMD's reveal. Stay tuned for further updates on Nvidia's RTX 50-series GPUs and their impact on the gaming industry.