Live Feeds
● LIVE Updated 13h ago · 34 sources tracked

Modified GeForce RTX 5090 with 96 GB Memory Shows Up on Alibaba for Nearly $4,000

A modified Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 with 96GB of memory has appeared on Alibaba for almost $4,000. The graphics card is being repurposed for AI servers in Chinese labs, contributing to a supply collapse and skyrocketing prices. Retail prices for the RTX 5090 have surged from $1,999 to over $6,500 due to AI demand and memory shortages.

🎙️

Listen to Live Briefing

Real-time synthesized voice briefing · Live Feeds Desk

⏱ ~2 min
Speed:
RSS Source map (34)
⚡ Key Developments & Real-Time Context
Text size:
  • ✓ RTX 5090 cards are being stripped for AI servers, driving retail prices from $1,999 to over $6,500 as supply collapses.
  • ✓ Industrial facilities in China are buying up Nvidia graphics cards and repurposing them for AI server racks.
  • ✓ Leaked factory footage from China reveals industrial assembly lines stripping GB202 dies and GDDR7 VRAM off retail RTX 5090s.
🛡️ Source Corroboration: 34 independent reporting domains (85% confidence) ⏱ Read time: ~2 min

What changed

Leaked videos and reports have surfaced showing industrial facilities in China dismantling thousands of RTX 5090s to salvage the GPU and memory for use in AI server racks.

Live updates

  1. Modified GeForce RTX 5090 with 96GB Memory Spotted on Alibaba for Nearly $4,000

    A modified Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 with 96GB of memory has appeared on Alibaba for almost $4,000. The graphics card is being repurposed for AI servers in Chinese labs, contributing to a supply collapse and skyrocketing prices. Retail prices for the RTX 5090 have surged from $1,999 to over $6,500 due to AI demand and memory shortages.

    Why it matters

    The global shortage of high-end graphics cards, particularly Nvidia's RTX 5090, has led to a thriving market for repurposed and modified units. As AI servers continue to drive demand, the supply of RTX 5090s has dwindled, causing prices to skyrocket. Chinese labs are playing a significant role in repurposing these graphics cards for AI applications.

    What is confirmed

    • RTX 5090 cards are being stripped for AI servers, driving retail prices from $1,999 to over $6,500 as supply collapses.
    • Industrial facilities in China are buying up Nvidia graphics cards and repurposing them for AI server racks.
    • Leaked factory footage from China reveals industrial assembly lines stripping GB202 dies and GDDR7 VRAM off retail RTX 5090s.

    Still unconfirmed

    • A modified version of the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 with 96GB of memory has surfaced on Alibaba for almost $4,000.

    What to watch next

    • Further updates on the availability and pricing of Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090s
    • Details on the scale of RTX 5090 repurposing operations in Chinese labs
    • Nvidia's official response to the shortage and price surge
    Sources used for this update (5)
    1. tech.yahoo.com — Shock Video: Hundreds, Maybe Thousands of New RTX 5090s Being ...
    2. thebuildout.ai — NVIDIA RTX 5090 chips salvaged in Chinese factory for custom ...
    3. andro-news.com — Inside China's RTX 5090 Slaughterhouse: $10,000 Gaming GPUs ...
    4. futurism.com — Leaked Video Shows Chinese Factory Taking Apart Thousands of ...
    5. article.wn.com — Leaked Video Shows China Taking Apart Thousands of RTX 5090s ...
    confidence 85%
  2. Modified RTX 5090 with 96GB Memory Appears on Alibaba for Nearly $4,000

    A modified version of the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 with 96GB of memory has surfaced on Alibaba for almost $4,000. The RTX 5090 has been vanishing from online retail in the US, with third-party prices skyrocketing to $9,500. AI demand and memory shortages continue to squeeze the Blackwell supply, pushing market prices to 6,500 euros. Chinese labs are repurposing RTX 5090s for AI servers.

    Why it matters

    The global shortage of Nvidia's GeForce RTX 5090 has led to inflated market prices and widespread availability issues. The card's disappearance from online retail and its repurposing for AI servers in Chinese labs have raised questions about Nvidia's role in the process. Export restrictions and high demand for AI hardware have contributed to the shortage.

    What is confirmed

    • Chinese labs are converting GeForce RTX 5090 gaming cards into AI accelerators by transplanting their GPUs and memory onto custom circuit boards.
    • RTX 5090 graphics cards are being dismantled in Chinese workshops, with their GPUs and GDDR7 memory repurposed for custom AI server hardware.
    • A $500,000 shipment of RTX 5090 graphics cards mysteriously vanished after reaching Guarulhos Airport.
    • The haul of stolen RTX 5090s is thought to be worth nearly half a million dollars.

    Still unconfirmed

    • Nvidia's flagship Blackwell-series hardware is reaching China despite export restrictions, potentially diverting supply away from gamers.

    What to watch next

    • Nvidia's official response to the RTX 5090 shortage and its role in repurposing the cards for AI servers
    • Further reports on the scale of RTX 5090s being dismantled in Chinese labs
    • The impact of export restrictions on Nvidia's AI hardware sales in China
    Sources used for this update (8)
    1. wccftech.com — RTX 5090 Shipments Worth $500,000 Vanished Into Thin Air At São Paulo Airport, Distributor Says This Has Never Happened In Nearly....
    2. vramglass.com — GeForce RTX 5090 Price & Used Prices: Which Local LLMs Can It ...
    3. www.tomshardware.com — GPUs from stolen $470,000 Nvidia RTX 5090 shipment at Brazil ...
    4. www.notebookcheck.net — Chinese labs turn “discontinued” GeForce RTX 5090 cards into ...
    5. tech.yahoo.com — Leaked video exposes how industrial-scale Chinese factories ...
    6. www.yorogaming.com — RTX 5090 GPUs Dismantled in China for AI Server Hardware
    7. wccftech.com — The RTX 5090 Isn't Gone, It's In Chinese Labs, Where ...
    8. en.gamegpu.com — Even at $5000, the GeForce RTX 5090 is becoming a memory ...
    confidence 85%
  3. RTX 5090 Prices Surge to $9,500 Amid AI Demand and Supply Volatility

    The GeForce RTX 5090 has vanished from U.S. online retail, with third-party prices reaching $9,500. AI demand and memory shortages continue to squeeze Blackwell supply, pushing some market prices to 6,500 euros. While Nvidia denied on October 16, 2026, that it stopped allocating GB202 chips to the 5090, the market remains unstable. Modified VBIOS tools from developer Panchovix now allow users to alter power limits and voltage ceilings on RTX 50-series cards without flashing the chip, coinciding with reports of modified high-memory versions appearing on Alibaba.

    Why it matters

    AI firms are purchasing gaming hardware in bulk, pricing out individual consumers. This follows a pattern of market disruption including storage chip shortages and export restrictions. The shift of silicon to professional AI cards has created a severe stock squeeze for gamers.

    What is confirmed

    • Nvidia denied on October 16, 2026, that it stopped allocating GB202 chips to the RTX 5090.
    • Developer Panchovix released tools for RTX 50, 40, and 30-series owners to run modified VBIOS without writing to the flash chip.
    • RTX 5090 stock is gone from U.S. online retail.

    Still unconfirmed

    • Nvidia is shifting GB202 chips to $16,000 RTX PRO Blackwell GPUs.

    What to watch next

    • Verification of the 96 GB modified RTX 5090 listings on Alibaba.
    Sources used for this update (9)
    1. www.allblogthings.com — Chinese Bride Gifts Groom an RTX 5090 at Their Wedding. He ...
    2. rrtechpulse.com — Nvidia GPUs to China and the RTX 5090 price | RR Tech Pulse
    3. unixgaming.org — RTX 5090 Stock Squeeze: 32GB Buyer Dilemma [2026]
    4. laptopjudge.com — RTX 5090 Amazon Listings: Identify Scams (Buyer Warning)
    5. www.techpowerup.com — New Tools Let Users Edit and Load Modified VBIOS on GeForce RTX GPUs Without Flashing
    6. shattered.io — RTX 5090 Discontinued? NVIDIA Denies the GB202 Shift
    7. shattered.io — RTX 5090 Prices Double to $5,000 as AI Demand Bites
    8. www.gadgetreview.com — RTX 5090 Gone From U.S. Online Retail as Prices Hit $9,500
    9. www.heise.de — Nvidia rumors: GeForce RTX 5090 disappears, RTX 5080 24 GB to ...
    confidence 80%
  4. Nvidia Shifts GPU Silicon Toward Professional Market

    Nvidia is reportedly redirecting GB202 silicon supply away from the GeForce RTX 5090 to build 96GB RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell cards instead. Meanwhile, street prices for the RTX 5090 have climbed past $6,000 on Tom's Hardware trackers as AI firms purchase the gaming hardware by the pallet, pricing out individual gamers. These supply constraints compound prior market disruptions, including a 66 percent average price hike in Germany driven by storage chip shortages, anti-export forms at Micro Center, Macau customs smuggling interceptions, and a Dutch Amazon customer receiving groceries instead of a graphics card.

    Why it matters

    Global demand for high-end computing components has intensified as artificial intelligence companies absorb retail inventory meant for consumers. The standard RTX 5090 features 32GB GDDR7 VRAM, making it a target for professional workloads alongside gaming. Production shifts toward data center and professional hardware threaten to create severe supply droughts for retail buyers.

    What is confirmed

    • Street prices for the Nvidia RTX 5090 have climbed past $6,000 on Tom's Hardware tracker.
    • The Nvidia RTX 5090 offers 32GB GDDR7 VRAM for AI, 4K/8K gaming, and professional workloads.

    Still unconfirmed

    • Nvidia has reportedly stopped feeding GB202 silicon to the RTX 5090 and halted its production, redirecting supply to 96GB RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell cards and AI data center units.

    What to watch next

    • Official statements from Nvidia regarding consumer GPU production volumes.
    • Pricing trends for the rumored RTX 5080 24GB acting as a new gaming flagship.
    • Further inventory tracking on retail and secondary market platforms.
    Sources used for this update (4)
    1. unixgaming.org — Nvidia Pulls GB202 From RTX 5090 for Pro Cards [2026]
    2. www.tomshardware.com — Nvidia reportedly halts GeForce RTX 5090 production in favor ...
    3. www.accio.com — Highest VRAM GPU 2026: RTX 5090 Leads - accio.com
    4. startupfortune.com — AI firms are buying RTX 5090 gaming cards by the pallet ...
    confidence 85%
  5. RTX 5090 Prices Surge Globally Amid Scams and Smuggling

    Global retail prices for the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 have surged past $5,000 as storage chip shortages drive a 66 percent average price hike in Germany. Micro Center now requires buyers to sign a no-export declaration form. Meanwhile, Macau customs officials intercepted multiple smuggling cases involving the high-end graphics cards, and a Dutch Amazon customer received bags of rice and pasta instead of the ordered card. These developments compound earlier online scams, including an impossible 96 GB Alibaba listing.

    Why it matters

    Rapidly escalating hardware costs and severe component shortages are driving illicit smuggling activity and fraudulent retail listings across international markets. Smugglers are actively targeting the flagship cards, prompting increased enforcement by regional authorities such as Macau customs. High demand and scarce inventory have also made the hardware a prime target for online delivery scams and strict domestic retail controls.

    What is confirmed

    • Micro Center requires RTX 5090 buyers to sign a declaration form agreeing to a no-export policy as prices soar past $5,000.
    • Storage chip shortages are the core driver behind a 66 percent average price increase for Nvidia RTX 50 series cards in the German market over the past 12 months.
    • Nvidia RTX 5090 cards in Germany have reached actual average prices exceeding 6,000 euros, up from a suggested retail price of 2,099 euros.
    • Macau customs officials intercepted multiple smuggling cases involving RTX 5090 graphics cards and memory sticks between September 11 and 17 at locations including the Macau International Airport.

    Still unconfirmed

    • A Reddit user on the Amazon Netherlands site received two bags of rice, a package of pasta, and a dusty cloth instead of a purchased RTX 5090 card.

    What to watch next

    • Expansion of retail export restrictions to other major hardware chains
    • Further reports on international semiconductor smuggling rings from customs agencies
    • Official supply chain updates regarding storage chip availability and production volumes
    Sources used for this update (2)
    1. wccftech.com — Buying RTX 5090 At Micro Center Reportedly Now Requires ...
    2. news.mydrivers.com — RTX 5090最新资讯-快科技--科技改变未来
    confidence 95%
  6. Alibaba 96GB RTX 5090 Listing Exposed as Scam

    A third-party listing on Alibaba offering a modified Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 with 96GB of video memory for $3,888 is an obvious scam. Tom's Hardware journalist Zhiye Liu originally reported on the hardware before social media influencers and domestic bloggers reposted the listing as a legitimate breakthrough. Technical analysis reveals the listing details are physically impossible for the Blackwell architecture. The product page claims the card uses GDDR6X memory and PCIe 4.0, while real RTX 5090 hardware relies on native GDDR7 memory and PCIe 5.0 connections.

    Why it matters

    The fraudulent listing exposed a wider pattern of unverified claims circulating among tech commentators eager for hardware breakthroughs. Real RTX 5090 stock remains scarce in 2026 amid surging prices, creating an environment where risky or overpriced listings proliferate. Smuggling enforcement has also intensified, with federal authorities charging a California CEO for allegedly falsifying export documents to ship millions in restricted GPUs to China.

    What is confirmed

    • A third-party store on Alibaba listed a 96GB GDDR6X version of the RTX 5090 for $3,888.
    • Tom's Hardware journalist Zhiye Liu published the initial report on the Alibaba product page.
    • The GB202 core on the RTX 5090 natively supports GDDR7 memory and PCIe 5.0, making the GDDR6X and PCIe 4.0 specifications listed on the page physically incompatible.

    Still unconfirmed

    • Chinese hardware manufacturers successfully produced a modified RTX 5090 card to bypass export restrictions.

    What to watch next

    • Alibaba's removal of the fraudulent vendor listing.
    • Further statements from hardware analysts regarding physical modding limitations on Blackwell GPUs.
    Sources used for this update (6)
    1. post.smzdm.com — 2.6万买96G显存的RTX 5090?一场外贸杀猪盘,骗倒了多少科技博主
    2. www.vgover.com — 2.6万买96G显存的5090?一场蠢爆的外贸杀猪盘,骗了多少科技博主
    3. www.pcmag.com — Calif. CEO Charged in New Nvidia GPU Smuggling Case Involving ...
    4. ngxptech.com — RTX 5090 Shortage: Where to Find Stock & Avoid Overpaying
    5. rigprice.com — RigPrice | live used AI GPU prices
    6. shattered.io — RTX 5090 No-Export Declaration: Micro Center Rule [2026]
    confidence 95%
  7. Modified GeForce RTX 5090 with 96GB Memory Listed for $3,888

    A modified Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 with 96GB of video memory is available on Alibaba for $3,888, offering three times the VRAM of the original hardware at 65% of the original cost. The card targets users requiring massive memory buffers for specialized workloads. The authenticity of the hardware modifications remains unverified.

    Why it matters

    This listing has sparked interest among users requiring high-performance computing for specialized tasks. The original RTX 5090 has seen price fluctuations, with US stock vanishing and prices hitting $9,500. Nvidia's GPU offerings have been under scrutiny amid shifting demand for AI-focused hardware.

    What is confirmed

    • The modified GeForce RTX 5090 with 96GB memory is listed on Alibaba for $3,888.
    • The original RTX 5090 price has hit $9,500 as US stock vanishes.
    • Nvidia reportedly shifts GPU dies to AI-focused RTX Pro cards.

    Still unconfirmed

    • An upgraded Nvidia RTX 5090 with 128GB VRAM and a $13,000 price tag has been mentioned.
    • The provided specifications of the modified RTX 5090 are inconsistent.

    What to watch next

    • Verification of the modified RTX 5090's authenticity
    • Nvidia's official response to the surge in RTX 5090 prices
    • Further listings of modified RTX 5090 cards
    Sources used for this update (2)
    1. shattered.io — RTX 5090 Price Hits $9,500 as US Stock Vanishes [2026]
    2. nbkomputer.com — Upgraded Nvidia Rtx 5090 Gets 128Gb Vram And 13000 Price Tag ...
    confidence 80%
  8. Modified RTX 5090 with 96GB VRAM listed on Alibaba

    A modified Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 featuring 96GB of video memory is available on Alibaba for $3,888. This version offers three times the VRAM of the original hardware at 65% of the original cost. While several outlets report the listing, NeoTeo claims the provided specifications are inconsistent. The card targets users requiring massive memory buffers for specialized workloads, though the authenticity of the hardware modifications remains unverified.

    Why it matters

    High-capacity VRAM is critical for large-scale AI model training and complex rendering tasks. Modding consumer GPUs to increase memory often bypasses official hardware limits to compete with expensive professional-grade cards.

    What is confirmed

    • A modified GeForce RTX 5090 with 96GB of memory is listed on Alibaba.
    • The modified GPU is priced at $3,888.

    Still unconfirmed

    • The specifications for the 96GB RTX 5090 do not add up.

    What to watch next

    • Independent hardware verification of the 96GB memory capacity
    • Official response from Nvidia regarding modified consumer hardware
    • Customer reports on the stability and performance of the modded units
    Sources used for this update (4)
    1. TechPowerUp — Modified GeForce RTX 5090 with 96 GB Memory Shows Up on Alibaba for Nearly $4,000
    2. tech-insider.org — China’s Modded RTX 5090 Hits 96GB VRAM for $3,888 [2026]
    3. tomshardware.com — China-modified Nvidia RTX 5090 with massive 96GB of memory appears on Alibaba for less than $4,000 — 3x more VRAM at 65% the cost of the original
    4. NeoTeo — Alibaba lists a claimed 96GB RTX 5090, but the specs do not add up
    confidence 80%
📊

Community Sentiment: How do you assess this situation?

Voice your perspective · Real-time aggregated sentiment from the Live Feeds community