GeForce RTX 4090 GPUs Smuggled into China Despite Sanctions

Scalpers strip GPUs from pre-built PCs to meet high demand in the Chinese market.

Despite US sanctions, GeForce RTX 4090 GPUs are being smuggled into China by stripping them from pre-built PCs purchased in neighboring countries.
The demand for the RTX 4090 remains high in China, leading to a significant increase in sales and prices in Asian markets such as Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, and Vietnam.
Retailers have attempted to curb this practice by selling the GPUs within pre-built systems, but scalpers continue to profit by selling the stripped GPUs in China.
The RTX 4090D, a slightly cut-down variant offered by Nvidia as an alternative, has not diminished the demand for the original RTX 4090 model.
The smuggling and resale of RTX 4090 GPUs are driven by the high demand from Chinese AI firms and gamers, despite the availability of the RTX 4090D.