Where to Find the RTX 5070 Ti on Launch Day

The NVIDIA RTX 5070 Ti is hitting the shelves on February 20 at 9 AM EST, but brace yourself—it’s shaping up to be as chaotic as the recent launches of its bigger siblings, the RTX 5090 and 5080. If you recall the frenzy from those releases, expect similar stock shortages and perhaps some eye-watering prices.

Interestingly, NVIDIA isn’t launching a Founders Edition for this card. Instead, the spotlight is on its hardware partners to craft custom versions, each with its own performance tweaks and price tags. So far, I’ve spotted a range of options from brands like ASUS, Gainward, Gigabyte, MSI, Palit, PNY, and Zotac available at various retailers in both the US and UK. Keep an eye out—more choices are likely to crop up soon.

Let me give you a heads-up: the RTX 5070 Ti launch could mirror the scramble seen during its predecessors’ debuts, with most units expected to vanish in the blink of an eye. That’s why I’ve put together this guide. It’s not just about finding where you can get your hands on an RTX 5070 Ti, but it’s also about whether you’re getting good value for your money, even at MSRP or beyond.

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When it comes to buying the RTX 5070 Ti in the US and the UK, here are some direct links to help you out. Places like Overclockers UK and Scan have already listed cards from several brands, and Amazon is likely to host a variety as soon as launch day rolls around.

As for the pricing of the RTX 5070 Ti, while NVIDIA has set an MSRP at $749, that’s more of a guideline than a rule, given that there’s no Founders Edition at that price. All the cards you’ll see will be from third-party manufacturers, who can—and will—price them according to market conditions and demand. For instance, in the US, the cheapest one I’ve come across is the MSI Shadow listed at Newegg for $750, which I expect will be one of the first to disappear. Conversely, one of the pricier options, the ASUS TUF Gaming OC Edition, is listed at about $1,000 at Best Buy.

Retailers have kept most price details under wraps until launch day, so expect an increase from the MSRP once those details emerge.

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Now, about Newegg’s Shuffle, which you might remember from previous NVIDIA launches, it’s back for the 5070 Ti. Given the likely rush, entering this lottery could be your best shot at snagging a card without the stress of competing directly on launch time. You just need to be a Newegg member, which is free, and put your name in the hat as soon as the draw goes live.

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Reviews of the RTX 5070 Ti started surfacing publicly on February 19. As usual, opinions vary. While we didn’t get our hands on a card for testing this time, the web is buzzing with insights from other reviewers. With no Founders Edition around, reviews are more focused on custom versions like those tested by Tom’s Hardware and PC Gamer. Tom’s Hardware gave the ASUS GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Prime an 80% rating, praising its high-end performance and modest price cut compared to previous models, albeit with mixed feelings about the current state of NVIDIA’s drivers. PC Gamer awarded the MSI GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Ventus 3X an 86%, noting its impressive performance just short of the RTX 5080’s.

Gamers Nexus, a trusted name in critical hardware reviews, offers a more cautious tale, emphasizing concerns about pricing. Their video review titled “Do Not Buy: NVIDIA RTX 5070 Ti GPU Absurdity” goes into detail about why this model may not be the wisest buy right now. Similarly, Hardware Unboxed discusses the potential if the card was actually sold near the $750 mark, adding a layer of context to its review of versions from Gigabyte and MSI.

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If you’re wondering whether to invest in the RTX 5070 Ti, it really depends on your current setup. If you’re rocking an upper-mid-range RTX 40-series GPU like the 4070 Ti Super, the gains may not justify a purchase. However, those with older cards, say from the RTX 30-series, could see considerable performance improvements.

For anyone holding onto an RTX 50-series card, scaling from the 3070 to the 5070 Ti means big performance jumps, with the added bonus of more VRAM. But do remember, the market realities, including availability and potential scalping, are significant factors to consider. Tom’s Hardware suggests these upgrades are for serious feel-good upgrades, yet advises current RTX 40-series owners to sit tight until something groundbreaking appears.

With AMD’s RDNA 4 Radeon 9000-series poised for a reveal on February 28, waiting could yield some interesting alternatives. AMD’s upcoming GPUs might serve as a strong counterpoint to NVIDIA’s majority hold on the market, assuming they aren’t priced out of reach.

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Important dates to note: The RTX 5070 Ti officially launches on February 20 at 9 AM EST. Set your alarms if you’re aiming to secure a card. Meanwhile, the RTX 5070’s release has been pushed back to March 5—possibly a strategy to let the market settle and build anticipation post-AMD’s launch.

In this turbulent market, the decision to buy the RTX 5070 Ti hinges heavily on personal need, price sensitivity, and what’s currently housed in your gaming rig. Whether you’re a die-hard NVIDIA fan or open to exploring AMD’s imminent offerings, keep your options open and your wallet ready!