**Justin's Micro Center Adventure**
It's 5 o'clock in the morning, and I'm on a mission to find Ken and see how the night's going at Micro Center. My main goal is to find parking anywhere inside the store, but it seems like everyone else has the same idea.
As I arrive, I notice that there are at least 200 people stretching all the way through the parking lot and a block down the street. I'm not sure if this is a good sign or a bad one, considering we're less than 30 minutes away from the launch.
I spot Austin and strike up a conversation. "What's up dude? Good luck." He's been here since 12 am, and the line was already this long at midnight! I'm impressed by his dedication.
Austin tells me that he's been waiting for 10 hours, and it's his first PC build ever. He's trying to get the RTX 3070 graphics card for his son, who's going to be thrilled when he wakes up in the morning and finds a brand new graphics card from dad!
I chat with Austin and learn that Ken invited him to stay for the launch, and it turned out to be a great experience. I also discover that my own PC build was actually one of Ken's creations - who knew?
Just then, someone yells out, "The line is moving!" The crowd cheers, and we all get excited. It's finally time to move forward.
Ken arrives, looking tired but triumphant. He's had a long night, but it seems like everything has gone smoothly so far. I'm handed a voucher, which will grant me access to the front register.
As I approach the front desk, I hear someone say, "That's it! That's my first PC build!" It's Austin, and he's beaming with pride. He's managed to get his hands on an RTX 3070 founder's edition - a feat that requires dedication and perseverance.
I learn that Austin has been waiting for two days, with only brief naps in between. He's sacrificed sleep and comfort to ensure that his son gets the best graphics card possible.
I approach Ken and ask him how he's doing. "Tired" is his response, accompanied by a chuckle. I sympathize with him - it's been a long night for everyone involved.
As we near the end of our journey, Austin thanks me for my help, and I thank him for being such an inspiration. It's heartening to see people come together like this, even if it means waiting in line for hours on end.
Finally, I'm back from Micro Center with my RTX 3070 founder's edition in hand. The experience has been a rollercoaster of emotions, but it's one that I'll never forget.
I reflect on the night's events and realize that this launch day was one for the books. It took dedication, perseverance, and a strong community to make it happen. And as I gaze at my new graphics card, I feel grateful for the opportunity to be a part of it all.
WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: en- So you guys are planningon sleeping here tonight?- Yes.- Yeah.- Yeah, pretty much.- Hopefully.- Hopefully? What do you mean hopefully?- If I can fall asleep.(all laugh)- So we're here in oursponsor Micro Center's,Tustin location in California.Take a closer look at the RTX 3070,and what exactly goes into the most hyped PChardware launch of the year.- I've been here since 4:00 a.m.- I've been here yesterdayat like around 7:00 p.m.- Can you guys explain to me,what is the deal withthe line and the system?How is the line being run today?- I think all I did was like, or we,we just went up to the guy.I think it was- They you call youa list master.- The list of master?Wait, who's the list master?- I don't know the guy- The first guy,- So the first guy came .- Andy up in here- So the first guy came andhe's now the list master,because he's first.Sir, what was your name?- Andy.- Okay, Andy.I've been told that youare the list master.- I am.- What is the list master?- The guy that showed up firstand got the list plopped in his lap.- I just got here on likeready to get in line.What do I do?So I called you and say,hey, I wanna be on the list.What's the process?- I tell you, what cardare you looking for?We have one,that's solely for thelaunch, the 3070 list.And then we have,the 3000 for 3080 or 90,because drops for those cardsare completely not guaranteed.- How often do I need to check it?- Every three hours onthe designated times.- So are people coming andgoing throughout the day?- So in between call times,you're free to do whatever you want.You can wait in your car,you can go home.Your line space is reservedas so long as you are hereduring calls.- Did you come yesterdaywith the intention of being line master?- Hell no.Do you think(laughing)do you think anybody just like,has this kind of duty, like,thrust upon them and they're like, yes.- What led you to stand in linefor over 24 hours for a graphics card?- Okay. So I missed out on the 3080,which was the biggest mistake I've made.And then I was like, you know,I need a graphics card now.And so I was, I made that decision.I'm gonna come hereand get the 3070, no matter what.- So one of the big reasons we're here,is because the previousRTX 30 series launches,the 3080 and the 3090,had massive lines.So we're talking about dozensif not hundreds of peoplesitting in line for days,waiting to get their handson these new graphics cards.- The problem with 3080 launch,is they stopped sending us20 series cards that day.So for now, almost a month,we haven't had 30 seriescards to sell customersor just to tide peopleover any 20 series cards.- For the 3080 launch,we had a little bit of a scuffle outside.Just some raised voices,no violence physically let's say.But, yeah there was some confusion aboutwho was on the list and who wasn't.- What sucked actually is,I was here for 3090, right?I showed up 15 hours early.I'm thinking, okay,that might be, I might have a shot.By then the 3090 list,was like 65 deep.And they only had 26 confirmed cards.So these are our currenttotals for those list.- 77 people are waitingfor 3070 right now?- Right now.- And 29 people for the 3080 and 3090.- And remember, these are,there's no guarantee whatsoever.- There could be no cards- At all- I found that (chuckling)they formed like a littlecivilization outside.I felt like a littletribe of people waiting.In some cases, I knew oneguy who waited for eight daysjust to get a 3080.- I'm working on a spreadsheetonline so that people can seelike where they are on the list.- So have you done like a line,like an overnight line like this before?- I have never done this before?- So what are you doing here then?Or you're that at adsfor the graphics cards?- Cause I'm doing myfirst compute PC bill.- This is your first PC bill?- Yeah.- What do you think it is,that compels people to spenddays in line waiting for agraphics card,as opposed to just waiting a month or twoand trying to track one downwhen they're actually in stock?- I think part of it is,there's a little bit of athrill that goes with it.is everybody that I've seen,that has waited multiple daysand finally comes in the store.It's like they win a million bucks.- You just got here.What are you here for?- I'm actually here totry to resell cards.- And I know tons of peopleare flipping their used cardsfor crazy prices too.- I actually just kinda didlike a hand-me-down thingfor my old wing,I'm giving some of mynephews and friends so..- After chatting with peoplefor a couple hours outside,my next goal was to see if Icould actually get my handson the holy grail itself,the RTX 3070,which I'll tell you all about,right after this word fromour sponsor Micro Center.If you don't feel like waiting daysto get your hands on the latest new tech,they're currently running a promotion,where they're giving awaya free 32 gig flash driveand a 32 gig micro SD card.All you need to do,is enter your email to get the code.And then the next timeyou're in the store,you can pick up your free swag.And of course all that willbe linked in the description.- (giggling) Here it is.This is what everyone outsideis standing in line for!The RTX 3070.So what makes this card special,is that it's $500.It is more powerful than theprevious best graphics cardyou could get for gaming period!$1,200, the RTX 2080 Tia couple of years ago,was the king of the roost.But now, the 3070 has dethroned itand dethroned it at lessthan half the price.- We're checking in for four o'clock,starting with the 3070for tomorrow's launch.First, me.Second, Rodrigo....- Here.- Tommy....- Here- Jeffrey....- Here- Ishmael....- Here- Freddie Vale.(crowd murmuring)Freddie ValeV-A-L-EFreddie Vale(crowd murmuring)Last call,Freddie Vale..All right.If you guys didn't hear your names callor you just arrived,come to me, I'll be at the front.Next roll call is at seven.- How many other peopleon the list right now?- Right now?It seems like, there is 94.- 94 people right now?- We'll be pushing a hundredby next check-in for sure.(giggling)It's nearly a sure shotthat like the first, I'm assuming 50are gonna get 3070's for sure.And then, they sound likethey have even more than that,- but who knows- but who knows?- The national launch is 9:00 am Eastern.We will open up withevery other chain at six.We will be 6:00 AM becauseof the Eastern time.All right.So we wanna make sureyou guys have the abilityto post,I got it!At the same time with somebody in New YorkAll right guys.Thank you.(clapping)- So we have a last-minute update.Ken, has been lured by the idea of a 3070.He's gonna stay here tonight.So what's the move right now?So you wanna put your name on the list?- Yeah, I'll do it.- All right.So just so you guys know,we've already hit triple digits.It's not even the 7:00 PM check-in,so, chances are low- Got yabut we anticipate the most fall-off,in the middle of the night.So you might get luckyinto the double digits.- All right- First and last.- Kenneth, K-E-N-N-E-T-H.- You're at 103.- 103! Oh yeah, cause youhad some names crossed outearlier too.- What has compelled youto decide to stay in line?I, for the record didnot ask for this at all.He volunteered.- Look, if I have a mini ITX build,that could fit some sort of 3070 I think.Also, I'm going back to some of the thingsthat I kinda miss, out of,back when we had normal lives,which is, waiting to spend money.- All right, this is it.They're leaving me.- Bye Ken!- Bye!They're my ride home.I didn't bring my car here.So, I hope to God, Austin comes backand I hope to God he keeps his promise,but he's been a good boss,for three or four of the five yearsI've been working for him, soSo it is currently 10.30.I'm out here alone.Even though I have somefriends that showed up,there're their chairs,they all went to the bathroom.My friends have brought mesome friends, AKA plushies.They're back from the bathroom.(engine revving)This is homebase, she's hanging out too.All right. So a quick little update.It is currently 11 o'clockand we were about two-ish hours awayfrom the next roll call and...200 people!Almost 200 people, to try toget their hands on the 3070.So we'll see where this goes.All right, 1:00 AM.Let's go to this roll call.There's already (honking)a lot of people there.(chuckling)- Salvatore Pinero........- Here- Urban Wells.....- Here.(laughing)- Kenneth Bolido.....- Here- Collin (indistinct)....- Here- So the magic number is 212,212 people are here and among those,(giggling) one of them got crossed off.Didn't show up.So I imagine,there's gonna be 200people fighting for cards.All right. So after takinga 15 minute power nap,I woke up,we went to the bathroom ata hotel across the streetthat was so kind, to let us use it.And now I just finishedthe 4:00 AM roll call,which means now,we're gonna fall in line(honking)single file,social distance.And we're going to be locked in.We cannot leave our spot in line,until 6:00 AM when the store opens.And when I will eventually,or hopefully, will maybe, probably,get my 3070(beeping)- Justin- Here- It's just a little bit pastfive o'clock in the morningright now.And I cannot find parkinganywhere inside Micro Center.So my main goal,is to find Kenand see how the night's going.- Leave yourname and your message.- It's not a good sign.We're less than 30 minutesaway from the launch.And people have stretchedand round the store,all the way through the parking lotand a block down the street.There are at least 200people here right now.And I can't find Ken anywhere.- Austin...- What's up dude.Good luck.- Oh men (sighing)- Thank you- How long have you been here?- Since 12.- Been since here so..- 12:00 AM?- The line wasthis long at 12 am?- Yeah, I was at 220 when I got here.- How long have been here?- 10.- So you'vebeen here since 10:00 PM.- Yeah.- Is it worth it?- I think so, yeah.(chuckling)It's my first build.So yeah.- This is your first PC build?- Yeah.- I'm here to get the 3070graphic card for my son.- You're doing it for your son?- Yes.It's gonna be his first PC build.- He's gonnawake up in the morningand have a 3070 sitting there from dad.- Yes!- Dude, that is so cool.- Yes- Say that one more time- Do you want context beforeyou put this on camera?- Please,please give me all the context.(giggling)Why am I the reason you're here?- Well, let's just thinking,he invited,- You're doing this cause of Ken?- He invited us out and we're just like,you know what?We'll stay for the card.- My first PC was actually one of your,I think it was your $800 build- Oh really?- From like five years ago.- Oh that's awesome manThe line is moving.(exclaiming)Apparently....You guys ready?(crowd cheering)There we go!- That....- What's up- Ken Bullido- Yeah.- How are you feeling?- Tired.(laughing)- Cold- Cold's a good one.- Yeah cold- Very cold.Dude had to wake me up to get the voucher.(giggling)Okay- I was actually knocked out.All right. So I hand you the voucher.- Oh yeah.- Okay.- So all you're gonna dois actually end up goingto the front register.(indistinct)- Yeah....- There you go- Big bowler- Thank you very muchThere it is.Done!It's in my hands.I'm going to run away beforethey regret that decision.(giggling)- You got the card?- Yeah.(chuckling)Finally.I mean kind of like unceremoniously,as it seems, everyone's getting a card.- But better, safe than sorry.- So what two daysin line to get the 3070like this,- Two days,no sleep.I slept for a total of maybe two hours.- (exclaiming)- And I was like 20 minute micro naps.And just every three hoursJust screaming my lungs out,getting everybody in line(chuckling)- Dude, you arethe MVP of this launch man.Good job.- Thank you(triumphant music)- All right.So I am back from Micro Centerwith the RTX 3070 founder's edition.So if we just open this up,(exclaiming)(all) Look at that.- I really am proud of my mini ITX build.I've spent a lot of hours just, you know,getting the cables right.It is in there.It is working the 3070 founder's edition.It looks really nice.It is up and running.I got my drivers updated.I don't know if I will ever waitmultiple, multiple, multiple hoursovernight in the cold,for a graphics card ever again.But, I can say that at the very least,the experience,was one of the more interesting onesthat I've ever dealt with,with as far as a launch day is concerned.It's a little bit of acalibrating experience,but also seeing how crazy it can getand also in a weird way,how the community can just band togetherto make things happen.And, today really showed that.And I'm super impressed withliterally everything today,even for as long as I've been waiting,you lose some games at fall guys,other times you get a graphicscard on your boss's dime.
