Availability of RTX 30-series GPUs in the UK?

Lataxe

Member
After 18 months prevarication, I eventually decided to buy a new PC to replace the near 10 year-old desktop I currently have. Although this desktop still works well, there have been some crashes and errors, which seem to be due to ageing hardware. The PC has been on 18 hours per 24 (sometimes 24/24) and so has done a lot of work. It serves all purposes, from being the tele and sound system to hosting Trainz and a couple of dozen other demanding applications.

But putting aside my buying rationales, which are no doubt all a screen for simple technology-lust ...... what to get? I would like something with a Nvidia RTX 30 series GPU in it. Can such a thing be found in a UK (or any) shop, on-line or otherwise? No.

There seems to be a shortage of supply from the manufacturers, due to Covid increasing demand for indoor stuff whilst reducing the available workforce to make and transport the items. In addition, Blighty has the new self-harming lunacy of Brexit-erected customs barriers that means that, even if foreign-made items do approach our shores, they are snatched up into a customs warehouse for gawd-knows how long whilst 5923 pages of documentation are created, corrected, re-done, stamped and perused by fellows who aren't too sure what they need to check.

Has anyone managed to get either an RTX 30-series GPU or a PC with one installed, in the last month (say) in the UK? Every PC seller I ask seems to have a waiting list of hundreds or even thousands of orders and no idea whatsoever when they'll be able to fulfil them.

Lataxe
 
After 18 months prevarication, I eventually decided to buy a new PC to replace the near 10 year-old desktop I currently have. Although this desktop still works well, there have been some crashes and errors, which seem to be due to ageing hardware. The PC has been on 18 hours per 24 (sometimes 24/24) and so has done a lot of work. It serves all purposes, from being the tele and sound system to hosting Trainz and a couple of dozen other demanding applications.

But putting aside my buying rationales, which are no doubt all a screen for simple technology-lust ...... what to get? I would like something with a Nvidia RTX 30 series GPU in it. Can such a thing be found in a UK (or any) shop, on-line or otherwise? No.

There seems to be a shortage of supply from the manufacturers, due to Covid increasing demand for indoor stuff whilst reducing the available workforce to make and transport the items. In addition, Blighty has the new self-harming lunacy of Brexit-erected customs barriers that means that, even if foreign-made items do approach our shores, they are snatched up into a customs warehouse for gawd-knows how long whilst 5923 pages of documentation are created, corrected, re-done, stamped and perused by fellows who aren't too sure what they need to check.

Has anyone managed to get either an RTX 30-series GPU or a PC with one installed, in the last month (say) in the UK? Every PC seller I ask seems to have a waiting list of hundreds or even thousands of orders and no idea whatsoever when they'll be able to fulfil them.

Lataxe


https://www.dell.com/en-uk/shop/gam.../all-nvidia-graphics?appliedRefinements=11772

Cheerio John
 
After 18 months prevarication, I eventually decided to buy a new PC to replace the near 10 year-old desktop I currently have. Although this desktop still works well, there have been some crashes and errors, which seem to be due to ageing hardware. The PC has been on 18 hours per 24 (sometimes 24/24) and so has done a lot of work. It serves all purposes, from being the tele and sound system to hosting Trainz and a couple of dozen other demanding applications.

But putting aside my buying rationales, which are no doubt all a screen for simple technology-lust ...... what to get? I would like something with a Nvidia RTX 30 series GPU in it. Can such a thing be found in a UK (or any) shop, on-line or otherwise? No.

There seems to be a shortage of supply from the manufacturers, due to Covid increasing demand for indoor stuff whilst reducing the available workforce to make and transport the items. In addition, Blighty has the new self-harming lunacy of Brexit-erected customs barriers that means that, even if foreign-made items do approach our shores, they are snatched up into a customs warehouse for gawd-knows how long whilst 5923 pages of documentation are created, corrected, re-done, stamped and perused by fellows who aren't too sure what they need to check.

Has anyone managed to get either an RTX 30-series GPU or a PC with one installed, in the last month (say) in the UK? Every PC seller I ask seems to have a waiting list of hundreds or even thousands of orders and no idea whatsoever when they'll be able to fulfil them.

Lataxe


All still marked as coming soon or pre order on Ebuyer, the only thing they have as a 2080 super at over £1000 and 710 and 1660s all RTX 30 PCs pre order. Scan no stock on anything including PCs with RTX 30 series.

Unbelievably and I'm sceptical PC World have PCs with RTX30s all seem to be PC specialist ones and all collect from Store, during lockdown? I think not! Checking on the PC Specialist site they have PCs and prices, no indication that there is a problem and no indication that there isn't either, PC Specialist don't supply components so possible they may have stock for their PC builds. Novatek stock due 15th February allegedly, Gigabyte Store no GPUs available until 10 - 13 of February, wouldn't count on any actually appearing anywhere any time soon. Any stock that appears will probably be gone in 5 minutes at most sites.

Not sure that Brexit would affect stuff from Taiwan such as Asus, Gigabyte and MSI etc as that probably doesn't come via Europe, EVGA although US, has a base in the EU so that might be an issue.
There are rumours that the card shortage is once again due to this flipping bitcoin obsession.

RTX20 series isn't any better anywhere either.

Think my 1080TI is going to have soldier on a while longer.
 

The caveat with the RX 30 Dell PCs seems to be "shipped from factory in 17 - 19 days". This sounds like an estimate (probably a best estimate) that assumes the GPU and other component supplies will be on their way soon. In the present climate, one feels a worserer estimate might be appropriate. :)

Also, I don't really fancy a Dell, for "reasons" that are inchoate and arise from somewhere down in the dark depths of my psyche, where compulsions and aversions are formed in a dance of memes with various hormones.

Lataxe
 
All still marked as coming soon or pre order on Ebuyer, the only thing they have as a 2080 super at over £1000 and 710 and 1660s all RTX 30 PCs pre order. Scan no stock on anything including PCs with RTX 30 series.

Unbelievably and I'm sceptical PC World have PCs with RTX30s all seem to be PC specialist ones and all collect from Store, during lockdown? I think not! Checking on the PC Specialist site they have PCs and prices, no indication that there is a problem and no indication that there isn't either, PC Specialist don't supply components so possible they may have stock for their PC builds. Novatek stock due 15th February allegedly, Gigabyte Store no GPUs available until 10 - 13 of February, wouldn't count on any actually appearing anywhere any time soon. Any stock that appears will probably be gone in 5 minutes at most sites.

Not sure that Brexit would affect stuff from Taiwan such as Asus, Gigabyte and MSI etc as that probably doesn't come via Europe, EVGA although US, has a base in the EU so that might be an issue.
There are rumours that the card shortage is once again due to this flipping bitcoin obsession.

RTX20 series isn't any better anywhere either.

Think my 1080TI is going to have soldier on a while longer.

One or two of the more reputable on-line sellers in the UK can supply PCs with the RTX 3090 in 'em - at a price. Yes, a Very Large Price. Perhaps the Chief Accountant can be persuaded, by one means or another? I will consult my little book of spells, cantrips, bribes and rationales for shifting a wife's opinion from negative to positive.

Just think! Trainz with everything set to Ultra on a 4k Screen!!!

The temptation to use such a thing to mine bit-coins would be ..... zero. :)

Lataxe
 
The caveat with the RX 30 Dell PCs seems to be "shipped from factory in 17 - 19 days". This sounds like an estimate (probably a best estimate) that assumes the GPU and other component supplies will be on their way soon. In the present climate, one feels a worserer estimate might be appropriate. :)

Also, I don't really fancy a Dell, for "reasons" that are inchoate and arise from somewhere down in the dark depths of my psyche, where compulsions and aversions are formed in a dance of memes with various hormones.

Lataxe

Dell's Alienware, I wouldn't fancy one either, horrible weird looking cases and incompatible parts. Alienware were good until Dell got hold of them.

One or two of the more reputable on-line sellers in the UK can supply PCs with the RTX 3090 in 'em - at a price. Yes, a Very Large Price. Perhaps the Chief Accountant can be persuaded, by one means or another? I will consult my little book of spells, cantrips, bribes and rationales for shifting a wife's opinion from negative to positive.

Just think! Trainz with everything set to Ultra on a 4k Screen!!!

The temptation to use such a thing to mine bit-coins would be ..... zero. :)

Lataxe

What prices there are for RTX30 cards are way over the recommended retail price anyway which back before Christmas were mostly cheaper than the RTX20's they were replacing and they have had a large price hike as well.

If and when I upgrade it will be self build and reusing parts where possible and reuse of one of my existing sensible Cooler Master Cases that have room for additional drives, fans and such without stupid flashing lights, IMO a PC is a tool not a pretty looking ornament!
 
Dell's Alienware, I wouldn't fancy one either, horrible weird looking cases and incompatible parts. Alienware were good until Dell got hold of them.



What prices there are for RTX30 cards are way over the recommended retail price anyway which back before Christmas were mostly cheaper than the RTX20's they were replacing and they have had a large price hike as well.

If and when I upgrade it will be self build and reusing parts where possible and reuse of one of my existing sensible Cooler Master Cases that have room for additional drives, fans and such without stupid flashing lights, IMO a PC is a tool not a pretty looking ornament!

Yes, the price hikes, gougings, inflations and other means to milk our wallets when we become anxious about the supply lines are legion. Still, money is for circulating rather than going musty in the Building Society, where it's no use except to a daughter or two, as it gives them something of a glow to think about the literal silver lining to my eventual demise, the rascals. I tell them it will all go on my new hobby of SKIing (Spend the Kids Inheritance).

I do like the idea of rebuilding a PC but mine would lose everything except the case, since it's motherboard will not accept many of the newer whizz-bang component types that I lust after (I mean need). I will be retaining the SATA SSDs with TANE and TRS19 on them but everything else will change. I want something that'll last 10 years at least, like the current one has.

Also, the grandson is wanting the old PC, as he's becoming a whizz-bang hisself at IT hardware and it's arcane governing software stuff. I fear that if he doesn't receive the old machine soon, he'll somehow hack me in a fit of pique, despite the many barriers I've put up to naughty folk trying to peer at my virtuals.

*********
Perhaps its not entirely a bad thing that difficulties in supply chains are making us throttle back on all sorts of consumer stuff? In truth, I'm too mean to be a proper post-modern consumer myself. I couldn't bear to put owt in a landfill if it still works or can be mended. I took up furniture making a few decades ago, as a hobby. A major motive was having to throw away an Ikea-style "bookshelf" (a bookshelf-shaped object, in fact) that collapsed when I put more than 5 books on it. I gave them hard-earned money for that! Now we're surrounded by furniture that'll last 250 years, assuming some fashion-victim doesn't inherit it then burn it to make room for the latest dross made from reconstituted Amazon packaging.

But I digress.

I wonder if a Threadripper CPU is worth the £1500? :)

Lataxe
 
Watching a Youtube video yesterday the guy was saying due to the supply and demand issues he had two pieces of advice. First use a reputable dealer due to the number of scammers selling empty boxes and/or boxes containing 10 and 20 series GPU and not the 30 series ordered. Second, get your details on those dealers notification lists and set your phone to instant email/text update. Set your phone to update every 15min or similar and these supplies are selling out in the 14 min your phone was waiting to recheck messages etc. Not quite as bad are the new AMD 5000 series CPU's, few supplies have all the different models in at the same time. Good luck with your new build I'm sure it will be great once you source your chosen components. Peter
 
Perfect storm apparently , Bitcoiners (again) coupled with at least a months complete shut down of the GPU manufacturers last summer due to covid who then ran at reduced capacity for another month or two , add to that every person and their dog being told to work from home (if possible) meant a sudden demand for new or updated PC's and laptops . The container delays at ports haven't helped either .

It's not just GPU's it's affecting PSU's as well especially 800 watts and above . Had a dark power pro 1000 watt decide to pop some internals a few weeks back and ended up having to go for a cooler master 850w instead , Cheaper build so I'm not expecting it to last long but hopefully long enough to see out this hardware drought !
 
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Check out the KitGuru YouTube channel for a review of one of PC Specialist's high end gaming rigs (the one where the thumbnail has Leo dressed as a Viking). Pretty favourable review although bear in mind PC Specialists are a channel sponsor. Pre-builts seem to be the only way of securing stock for now, and that may not last for long.

John
 
Hi,

I bought a 2060 last year (old GPU card blew up). I've been running TS19 at Ultra/High settings (1920x1080). I've set the fps limiter to 75 fps (in nVidia control panel) and this has reduced the load on the GPU from 98% (unlimited fps) to about 56% load.
IIRC, Trainz won't be produced to provide 4k display, so that isn't a major concern (for Trainz anyway!)

From what I can see, most manufacturers and Component suppliers have "pre-order" labels for almost every graphics card - and no published prices!
I've also had an email from Asus saying that they were about to launch a new series of products with 3080's - but that is "advertising"

Colin
 
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