MADISON HEIGHTS (WWJ) -- More than 100 computer enthusiasts have lined up outside a Micro Center store in Madison Heights in the hopes of buying a popular gaming chip.
People in line could snag the Nvidia RTX 3080 TI graphic card, which retails for $1,200, but will sell for much more online.
One person joked with WWJ's Charlie Langton that his "mama would kill [him]" if he didn't get one of the highly sought-after graphics cards.
A graphics processing unit (GPU) is specialized processor intended to accelerate rendering on graphics. It's used most often used for 4K computer gaming, as well as video editing.
The high demand comes in response to a current semiconductor shortage, which has led increased prices of most GPUs.
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Mary-Ann of Clinton Township told Charlie Langton that she had spent the majority of the last two days waiting in line at the Micro Center in Madison Heights, but the chip wasn't for her.
"My son died of COVID last month and he was building a computer for my grandson," she explained. "So grandma's standing here trying to get this stupid graphic card."
A short time later, a manager came out of the store to give Mary-Ann a voucher for the Nvidia RTX 3080 TI, allowing her to gift the card to her grandson on his 16th birthday, which is today.