Cases of sales of flagship GeForce RTX 5090 video cards as part of large-scale combo sets have been recorded on the Taiwanese trading platform PChome24h. A user of Uniko's Hardware reported four similar offers, including the Asus ROG Astral, Gigabyte Aorus Master, MSI Gaming Trio OC, and the Aorus AI Box external graphics station. The cost of such kits reaches the equivalent of 7,500 US dollars. In addition to the top-end graphics accelerator, the kits include up to eight motherboards, as well as various entry- and mid-level components, the volume of which allows you to assemble several full-fledged computer systems.

The reason for the formation of such proposals was the global shortage of computer memory and graphics processors, provoked by unprecedented demand from the artificial intelligence industry. Retailers are taking advantage of the high popularity of flagship graphics cards to sell poorly marketed products. By combining motherboards and mid-range components stored in warehouses, retailers are striving to free up working capital and optimize inventory, despite the fact that the total cost of the kit for the end user is significantly overestimated.

This trend has a negative impact on the consumer electronics market. Research companies predict a double-digit percentage decline in the personal computer market this year, with the largest decline expected in the segment of budget and initial assemblies. Analysts do not predict the restoration of the market balance until 2029. In the face of a sharp increase in prices for key components, ordinary users are forced to postpone upgrades or the purchase of new systems, leaving such products exclusively in the niche of wealthy enthusiasts who are able to purchase expensive combo kits.