Noob question: Preorder GPU this fall?

[LapisSwordfish]

With the shortages, scalping and newfound mainstream popularity of gaming PCs is it going to be impossible to buy a GPU unless you order day one? How long do you all expect the shortages to last for? Do websites let you preorder like consoles? Should brand preferences matter on day one or should you just be thankful to get one at all and not worry about it? Thanks all

[venomtail]

I think the release of new cards will be a purely paper launch. I don't think the average consumer who has their pre-order in line will get first batch treatment before VIP's. But lets hope I'm wrong and people do start receiving their cards before December.

When it comes to brands, it'd say it's worth it to wait out for your favorites but that being said, the cards won't deviate too much from one another because they're within a spec, unless some other circumstances make one perform far better/worse than the rest.