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The founder of UK-based system builder and PC components retailer, Scan Computers, has asked gamers to stop messaging him for an Nvidia GeForce RTX 50 Series graphics card.
Shelley Raja has sent an impassioned warning to scalpers and botters not to bother wasting their time trying to get the new graphics cards, due to Scan having improved operations to make the online system tighter and fairer.
He also gave some advice to those looking to acquire the new RTX 50 Series cards, which were recently announced at CES 2025 (his advice is in the section further in this article).
The GeForce RTX 5090 (£1,939) and GeForce RTX 5080 (£979) will launch on January 30th, while the GeForce RTX 5070 Ti (£729) and GeForce RTX 5070 (£539) will drop in February.
There are also separate Founders Editions of the cards, which have limited availability and are usually more sought after.
‘Kindly don’t message me [for 50 Series cards]’ Shelley said. “There’s [nothing] I can do for you. Stock on launch date will be very, very limited.
“Even I can’t take from my own stock. Like most of you, I’ll be buying a 90 and an 80 off my own website, and have it delivered to me 1.9 miles away the next day.”
Shelley Raja, Scan Computers
On the tech side, he added: “We will also be ramping up our bandwidth x 10 on the 30th to deal with the incoming [traffic and buyers]. Basically we’re ready to rock, locked and loaded as best as [we can be] this time.
“Scalpers: Please don’t,” he warned, “the bots and stuff have got no chance, we’re all over it this time. As and when you do, we will know and you’ll be barred and funny things will happen after – so please just don’t. I’ll just leave it there.
“For anyone thinking of [doing anything] stupid, don’t even think about it. All our stock is NOT at Scan Computers to ship out, but at an undisclosed location.”
Scan also added on its website: “Scan has developed its own sophisticated in-house system specifically for identifying bot traffic and potential scalpers, which we constantly review and improve using our own data.
“We also have a list of known scalpers and can even in many cases track when products bought from Scan during a launch are sold on popular auction websites. We add these account details to our list and where possible cancel the order before stock gets delivered. Despite this, we recognise it’s impossible to catch every instance.”
Scan Computers offers advice on how to get Nvidia GeForce RTX 50 Series graphics card
Demand is expected to be high for the new cards when they go on sale. A few years ago, one man camped outside the Scan Computers HQ overnight to get an Nvidia 3070 graphics card.
“Here is how to get it sorted & fast chance of getting an 50xx,” founder Shelley Raja said. “Make sure you have an online account with Scan Computers UK and you save your credit card details to super speed up the buying process.
“If not – while your entering your [details] others are buying up the stock in front of you! If you haven’t done or bought from us before, just buy something off us online and be sure to save your credit card details.
“Here is a suggestion – buy a top bit of kit and right now our best selling product bar none. It’s practical and useful, cheap and selling fast.
“Just buy anything in effect, and also you don’t have to, by the way. There is no pressure here, it just saves time.”
Scan Computers to host RTX 50 Series launch event
Scan Computers is hosting a launch event for the Nvidia GeForce RTX 50 Series at its Bolton HQ on January 30th 2025.
The in-store event is partnered with Nvidia and ASUS, and there will be graphics cards available to purchase on the day, with competitions and prizes, plus limited edition launch hoodies and merch for the first 100 people in the queue.
There will be in-store-only pre-order models for 5080 and 5090 (but not FE cards).
It’s billed as the only official Nvidia launch event in the UK where you can get your hands on a new GeForce RTX 50 Series GPU on day one.
Related article: Dignitas founder ODEE joined Scan Computers in 2023 as director of gaming and esports
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Dom is an award-winning writer and finalist of the Esports Journalist of the Year 2023 award. He graduated from Bournemouth University with a 2:1 degree in Multi-Media Journalism in 2007.
As a long-time gamer having first picked up the NES controller in the late ’80s, he has written for a range of publications including GamesTM, Nintendo Official Magazine, industry publication MCV and others. He worked as head of content for the British Esports Federation up until February 2021, when he stepped back to work full-time on Esports News UK and offer esports consultancy and freelance services. Note: Dom still produces the British Esports newsletter on a freelance basis, so our coverage of British Esports is always kept simple – usually just covering the occasional press release – because of this conflict of interest.
