What could be done to stop bots for the 50 series launch?

[Hostile_18]

Any ideas what OCUK could do to make it more likely genuine customers can buy the new cards this time round?

Like maybe a randomised que, early access for established accounts, capchas etc.

What is the best/fairest method people have experienced?... and also will the site crash again (place your bets now!).

 

[Hostile_18]

Just show the price...

That didn't work so well last time! Lol.

 

[Hostile_18]

Never had any issues getting a 4000 series FE. Things have slowed down a huge amount due to mining no longer being profitable etc.

I was there at the start of the 40 series. 10 minutes before launch a back door link was published on discord so they had none left for the actual launch time.

 

[Hostile_18]

Have enough supply so the bots can't buy it all.

True but we can't control supply, hopefully software wise though OCUK could invest not to ensure a smoother launch.

 

[Hostile_18]

It's just a but of fun, not life and death. That been said I think the top tier will be very limited quantities (single digits for many?).

So with the 4090 launch the fe sold out before launch due to a bug and the OCUK website went down for around two hours on launch.

From there people had to wait months to get some of their orders. So I don't think this will be an easy launch personally. Worst case scenario is it's not needed, best case allocations don't fall into the hands of scalpers. Worth taking the risk now in terms of a software solution IMO.

 

[Hostile_18]

With the PS5 Pro recently Sony put everyone in a timed que. Once through the que people had half hour on the website to make a purchase. It wasn't perfect but better than normal.

 

[Hostile_18]

It worked very well. 4090's were readily available on launch.

Sure, specific flagship cards such as 4090 Strix were very limited - though this is always the case.

They absolutely were not in the UK. Sold out 10 minutes, OCUK came back online 2 hours later and was sold out on about 10 minutes as well.

 

[Hostile_18]

I’m expecting the card to be over £2500 I’m sure that will stop a few bots.

Ufff imagine from £1599>£2500. Kopite didn't seem to think there would be a significant increase for the 50 series. I'm predicting around £2000.

 

[Hostile_18]

I'd like at least one halo high end launch that isn't gone in seconds/minutes before I declare it not an issue anymore, personally

 

[Hostile_18]

OC could just do what they've done before. List them at some insane price like £5000 but have a discount code on the forum to drop the price. Sure, some bots would still pay £5k but I'm not exactly unhappy with the idea that they get that ripped off

That's actually a really good idea. Wonder why that wasn't implemented for the 40 series? I guess it's a lot of money to deny in back orders.

 

[Hostile_18]

The thing with loyal forum members early access is their are no doubt loyal shop only customers too.

I think early 30 minute access might be best of both worlds, with strict account control. But that been said it would be a lot of time and money for OCUK software wise for not much gain.

Randomised que windows probably the "fairest".

 

[Hostile_18]

The best way to stop bots is to let them buy every 50 series GPU in the world. Then for people to refuse to buy them so scalpers get into serious financial difficulties. The 60 series will be bot free.

Scalpers would suffer and learn the hard way.

People would have to have some serious restraint and I think the scalpers could just return them in that case.

Restraint is the easy answer, but it's a shame genuine customers can't get someone thing as soon as its available if they so wish.

 

[Hostile_18]

Remember when you only needed to pay £500-£600 for the top end GPU we thought that was expensive. eg 980ti. Anything over £1000 is stupid money nowadays. I bawked at the idea of paying £949 for my 3090. It will be my last high spend GPU period. If you can afford the 5090 for £2000 or whatever it appears at all power to your wallet not one to be-grudge your spending power but from a personal standpoint last few years I've got off the upgrade roundabout.

I doubt this time you have to worry about bots there will be plenty of stock.

My 4090 really held its value, in fact yesterday I sold it for a profit. I think the 5090 will be similar. With regards to plenty of stock, people were saying that a few days ago about the 9800x3d launch and it lasted about 10 minutes lol. I'd like one high end launch with it readily available before I believe it lol

 

[Hostile_18]

Noxia is right there was loads of stock issues with the 40 series. You had to sign up to discord alerts where the stock would be available for minutes only.

Not sure where this confusion has come from. Do people not remember OCUK getting in like 2 units a week for some lines with ques of hundreds of people and offering to change people's pre order?