RX 9070 XT Scalpers (March 2026) Why AMD’s Latest GPU Costs Double MSRP?
I woke up at 5 AM last week, credit card ready, hoping to snag AMD’s new RX 9070 XT at the promised $599 MSRP.
Within minutes, every legitimate retailer showed “out of stock” while eBay listings popped up at $1,499.
This isn’t just another GPU shortage story – it’s a coordinated manipulation of the graphics card market that’s gotten worse than the crypto mining days.
After tracking prices across 15 retailers for the past week and watching preorder cancellations roll in, I’ve documented exactly what’s happening with AMD’s latest GPU launch and why you’re seeing prices double or triple the advertised MSRP.
What’s Happening with RX 9070 XT Availability?
The RX 9070 XT officially launched on March 6, 2026 with AMD advertising a $599 MSRP for the XT model and $549 for the standard 9070.
Within 24 hours, the situation spiraled into chaos.
Major retailers like Newegg and Micro Center sold out their MSRP allocation in under 10 minutes. Amazon’s listing never even went live at the advertised price.
⚠️ Important: The “official” MSRP only applied to a tiny fraction of available stock – most cards launched at inflated partner prices.
Here’s the timeline of events I witnessed:
- March 6, 9 AM EST: Launch begins, MSRP stock sells out instantly
- March 6, 11 AM EST: First scalper listings appear on eBay at $999+
- March 7, Morning: Retailers begin canceling MSRP preorders
- March 8-12: Partner cards restocked at $50-$130 above MSRP
- March 13: AMD acknowledges pricing issues publicly
The PowerColor Hellhound RX 9070 XT, supposedly a $599 card, immediately appeared at $749 from authorized retailers.
ASRock’s Challenger model jumped from $599 to $679 overnight.
Even worse, retailers like Overclockers UK listed the XFX Mercury at £789 (about $985) – a 64% markup over MSRP.
How Much Scalpers Are Charging for AMD’s Latest GPUs?
I spent three days documenting scalper prices across eBay, Amazon Marketplace, and StockX.
The numbers are staggering.
| Model | MSRP | Scalper Price Range | Highest Seen | Markup % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RX 9070 XT Reference | $599 | $999-$1,499 | $2,000 | 67-234% |
| RX 9070 Standard | $549 | $849-$1,199 | $1,500 | 55-173% |
| PowerColor Hellhound XT | $599 | $1,099-$1,399 | $1,599 | 83-167% |
| ASUS TUF Gaming XT | $649 | $1,199-$1,599 | $1,799 | 85-177% |
| XFX Mercury XT | $599 | $999-$1,299 | $1,499 | 67-150% |
One eBay seller with the username “gpu_king2025” has sold 47 RX 9070 XT cards at $1,499 each.
That’s $70,453 in revenue from a single scalper operation.
The most egregious listing I found was a “bundle” on Amazon Marketplace: one RX 9070 XT plus a generic mousepad for $1,999.
“These aren’t individual resellers – they’re organized operations using bots to instantly purchase any stock that appears at MSRP.”
– Hardware Unboxed investigation
StockX, the “sneaker marketplace” that now sells GPUs, shows completed sales averaging $1,285 for the RX 9070 XT.
That data represents over 500 transactions in the first week alone.
Why Retailers Are Canceling Preorders and Raising Prices?
The retailer situation is even more complex than simple scalping.
I received three separate preorder cancellation emails last week, all with different explanations.
Ebuyer sent this message to customers: “Due to a pricing error, we’re unable to fulfill your order at the advertised price.”
Translation: They sold cards at MSRP before AMD’s partners told them the “real” prices.
⏰ Time Saver: Don’t waste time on “preorder” listings that seem too good to be true – they’ll likely get canceled.
Here’s what’s actually happening behind the scenes:
- Limited MSRP allocation: AMD only provided a handful of cards at the $599 price point
- Partner pricing freedom: Board partners can set their own prices above MSRP
- Retailer margins: Stores add their own markup on top of partner prices
- Supply manipulation: Some retailers holding back stock to create artificial scarcity
Micro Center initially listed the PowerColor Fighter at $599 but changed it to $679 after selling just 12 units.
Their explanation? “Vendor price adjustment.”
Newegg’s situation is particularly telling – they had ASRock Challenger cards at MSRP for exactly 7 minutes before the listing changed to $729.
A Newegg customer service rep told me off the record that they received “less than 50 units” at the MSRP price for the entire United States.
AMD’s Official Response to the Scalping Crisis
Frank Azor, AMD’s Chief Architect of Gaming Solutions, finally addressed the situation on March 13.
His statement reads like corporate damage control but contains some important admissions.
“We’re aware of the pricing challenges and are working with our partners to ensure better availability at MSRP,” Azor posted on X (formerly Twitter).
That’s AMD-speak for “we can’t control what our partners charge.”
The company later released a more detailed statement:
“The suggested retail price remains $599 for the RX 9070 XT. We’re increasing production and working with board partners to meet demand at competitive price points.”
– AMD Official Statement, March 14, 2026
What AMD isn’t saying directly: they have limited control over partner pricing and can’t force retailers to sell at MSRP.
Industry sources suggest AMD allocated less than 10,000 units globally at the $599 price point for launch week.
The rest came from board partners who immediately added their premium.
How GPU Scalping Affects PC Builders and Gamers?
I’ve been building PCs for 15 years, and this launch feels different from previous shortages.
During the crypto boom, at least miners were using the cards. Now, they’re sitting in scalper warehouses.
The ripple effects extend beyond just GPU availability:
- Complete builds delayed: Customers waiting months for reasonably priced GPUs
- Used market inflation: Even 3-year-old cards selling above original MSRP
- Consumer trust erosion: Buyers losing faith in advertised prices
One Reddit user documented their experience: “Saved for 6 months to upgrade from my RX 5700. Now I’m looking at laptops instead.”
System integrators are feeling the squeeze too.
A boutique builder in California told me they’ve had to refund 30 orders because they can’t source GPUs at prices that make builds viable.
✅ Pro Tip: Consider laptops with integrated graphics as a temporary solution if you need a system immediately.
The psychological impact is real too.
Forums are filled with frustrated builders who’ve given up on PC gaming entirely.
The constant disappointment of failed purchase attempts and canceled orders takes a toll.
Alternative GPUs to Consider While Waiting
After watching this disaster unfold, I’ve researched alternatives that offer better value right now.
The RX 7800 XT suddenly looks attractive at its current $499 street price.
It’s 15% slower than the 9070 XT but actually available.
| Alternative GPU | Current Price | Performance vs 9070 XT | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| RX 7800 XT | $499 | -15% | Good |
| RX 7900 GRE | $549 | -8% | Moderate |
| RTX 4070 | $549 | -5% | Good |
| RTX 4070 Super | $599 | +5% | Good |
The RTX 4070 Super at $599 (actual street price) outperforms the 9070 XT in ray tracing.
You can walk into Best Buy today and buy one.
For sim racing enthusiasts, the RX 7900 GRE offers excellent rasterization performance at 1440p.
How to Avoid Scalpers and Get a Card at MSRP?
I’ve successfully purchased three GPUs at MSRP during shortage periods.
Here’s my strategy that actually works:
- Join store notification systems: Best Buy, Micro Center, and B&H Photo send restock alerts
- Follow restock Twitter accounts: @GPURestockAlerts has legitimate leads
- Use browser extensions: Distill Web Monitor checks pages every 30 seconds
- Sign up for EVGA Queue: They still honor MSRP pricing on available models
- Check physical stores: Micro Center often has in-store only stock
Avoid these red flags that indicate scalper listings:
- “Ships from Hong Kong” – Often counterfeit or mining cards
- Bundle deals with junk items – Classic scalper tactic to inflate prices
- No return policy – Legitimate retailers always accept returns
- Cryptocurrency payment only – Zero buyer protection
⚠️ Important: Never use payment methods without buyer protection when purchasing from unknown sellers.
The AMD Direct Buy program occasionally has stock at MSRP.
Check Thursdays at 10 AM EST – that’s when they typically restock.
Local computer stores sometimes have inventory that doesn’t appear online.
I found an RX 7900 XTX at MSRP by calling 12 stores in my state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are RX 9070 XT cards being scalped so aggressively?
The RX 9070 XT offers competitive performance at a $599 MSRP, making it highly desirable. Limited launch supply combined with high demand created perfect conditions for scalpers using bots to monopolize inventory and resell at inflated prices.
Is it illegal for scalpers to resell GPUs at high prices?
GPU scalping isn’t illegal in most jurisdictions, unlike ticket scalping which has regulations in many states. However, using bots to bypass purchase limits may violate retailer terms of service and some proposed legislation aims to ban bot usage for purchasing.
When will RX 9070 XT be available at normal prices?
Based on previous GPU launches, expect 2-3 months before consistent MSRP availability. AMD has promised increased production by May 2026, but partner pricing and retailer markups may keep prices elevated through summer.
Should I buy from scalpers or wait for restock?
Wait for legitimate restock unless you absolutely need a GPU immediately. Scalper purchases encourage the practice, offer no warranty protection, and you’re paying 50-150% premium. The RX 7800 XT or RTX 4070 are better values currently.
Why are AMD’s board partners charging more than MSRP?
Board partners like PowerColor and ASRock set their own prices based on custom cooling solutions and factory overclocks. AMD’s MSRP is “suggested” – partners aren’t obligated to follow it, especially when demand exceeds supply.
Can AMD force retailers to sell at MSRP?
No, AMD cannot legally enforce MSRP pricing due to antitrust laws. They can only suggest prices and control their own direct sales. Retailers and board partners have freedom to set prices based on market conditions.
Looking Forward: When Will the Market Stabilize?
Based on previous GPU launches and current market dynamics, I expect prices to normalize by June 2026.
AMD’s production ramp-up combined with Nvidia’s RTX 5060 launch should increase supply and competition.
Until then, your best bet is patience and persistence with legitimate retailers.
The scalpers will eventually run out of buyers willing to pay double MSRP, and the market will correct itself – it always does.