Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

NVIDIA Faces Blackout Crisis Amid RTX 50 Demand Surge

2/8/2025

24 5

Summary

Story summary

NVIDIA is delving into alarming reports of RTX 5090 and RTX 5090D GPUs becoming unusable after recent driver updates, leaving users in the dark with persistent black screens. Compounding the issue, the demand for RTX 50 series GPUs has skyrocketed in Tokyo, fueled by US export controls that restrict access for Chinese gamers, resulting in frenzied buying sprees.

History

Historical Context

NVIDIA's current GPU issues echo past challenges in the tech industry, such as the 2008 GPU failure crisis, which led to significant warranty claims and lawsuits. Additionally, the surge in demand for RTX 50 series GPUs mirrors the 2020 pandemic-driven tech boom, where supply shortages prompted frantic buying. These historical patterns highlight ongoing vulnerabilities in the semiconductor supply chain and consumer electronics market.

1 of 2

Story summary

NVIDIA is delving into alarming reports of RTX 5090 and RTX 5090D GPUs becoming unusable after recent driver updates, leaving users in the dark with persistent black screens. Compounding the issue, the demand for RTX 50 series GPUs has skyrocketed in Tokyo, fueled by US export controls that restrict access for Chinese gamers, resulting in frenzied buying sprees.

1 / 2