A Costco shopper reportedly purchased a high end MSI gaming desktop with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 and AMD Ryzen 9 9900X for around $1,900 after receiving multiple discounts.
The MSI Aegis ZS2 was originally listed at $2,800. A store rebate reduced the price to $2,300, before Costco applied another $500 discount because the display unit was missing its bundled keyboard.
The final amount was reported at roughly $1,900 after the available adjustments, giving the buyer a saving of about $900 compared with the original listed price.
The system also includes 32GB of DDR5 memory, a 2TB SSD, and a 360mm liquid cooler. At the discounted price, buying a similarly equipped desktop from separate retail components would likely be difficult.
RTX 5080 and Ryzen 9 9900X Lead the Configuration
The MSI Aegis ZS2 combines a 12 core AMD processor with one of NVIDIA’s higher end gaming graphics cards.
AMD’s Ryzen 9 9900X uses the Zen 5 architecture and provides 12 cores with 24 threads. It is suitable for high frame rate gaming, streaming, video editing, rendering, and other workloads that can use many processor cores.
The GeForce RTX 5080 is the most valuable part of the system. It is designed for high resolution gaming and supports modern NVIDIA features such as hardware accelerated ray tracing and DLSS.
| Component | MSI Aegis ZS2 configuration |
|---|---|
| Processor | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X |
| CPU cores and threads | 12 cores and 24 threads |
| Graphics card | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 |
| Memory | 32GB DDR5 |
| Storage | 2TB SSD |
| CPU cooling | 360mm liquid cooler |
| Original listed price | $2,800 |
| Rebate price | $2,300 |
| Additional discount | $500 |
| Reported final cost | Around $1,900 |
The combination should handle demanding games at 1440p and 4K, although actual performance will depend on graphics settings, cooling, power limits, and the exact RTX 5080 model installed.
Missing Keyboard Led to a $500 Discount
The second discount was reportedly granted because the display unit no longer included its bundled keyboard.
Some MSI prebuilt desktops ship with basic keyboard and mouse accessories. Those peripherals are normally worth far less than $500, making the reduction unusually generous.
Even after buying a replacement keyboard, the customer would remain far below the desktop’s original price.
The computer had been used as a display model, which may explain why Costco was willing to reduce the price more aggressively. Retailers often clear display systems when they need shelf space for newer products or when included accessories are missing.
| Discount stage | Approximate price |
|---|---|
| Original display price | $2,800 |
| Price after rebate | $2,300 |
| Missing keyboard reduction | $500 |
| Price before other charges | About $1,800 |
| Reported final total | Around $1,900 |
The receipt shown with the report listed the MSI desktop at $2,300 before an additional adjustment. Taxes and the exact way Costco processed the discounts may explain the difference between the reduced merchandise price and the reported final total.
Separate Components Could Cost More
The report estimates that the Ryzen 9 9900X costs around $330, while the RTX 5080 starts near $1,300 under current market conditions.
It also claims that the 32GB memory kit and 2TB SSD could cost around $800 together. That estimate appears unusually high for only those two components and may reflect current shortages, premium models, or inflated listings.
A complete desktop also needs a motherboard, power supply, case, cooling system, fans, and a Windows licence.
| Part category | Cost consideration |
|---|---|
| GeForce RTX 5080 | Largest part of the system cost |
| Ryzen 9 9900X | High end 12 core processor |
| 32GB DDR5 | Price depends on speed and memory shortage |
| 2TB SSD | Cost varies by interface and performance |
| 360mm cooler | Adds cooling capacity and value |
| Motherboard | Must support the processor and system features |
| Power supply | Needs enough capacity for the RTX 5080 |
| Case and fans | Affect cooling and noise |
| Windows licence | Often included with a prebuilt |
Component prices vary widely, so the exact replacement cost depends on the brands and models MSI used. Even with more conservative estimates, however, a working RTX 5080 system for around $1,900 would represent strong value.
The graphics card alone accounts for a large share of that amount.
Display Models Should Be Inspected Carefully
A discounted display computer can be an excellent purchase, but it may have spent months operating in a store.
Before accepting one, you should inspect the case, glass panels, ports, fans, cables, and internal components. Missing screws, damaged connectors, dust, or cosmetic marks should be documented.
It is also important to confirm that the listed hardware matches what Windows and the BIOS detect.
| Check | What to verify |
|---|---|
| Graphics card | RTX 5080 is correctly identified |
| Processor | Ryzen 9 9900X appears in the BIOS and Windows |
| Memory | Full 32GB capacity is detected |
| Storage | 2TB SSD is present and healthy |
| Temperatures | CPU and GPU remain within normal limits |
| Cooling | Pump and all fans work properly |
| Ports | USB, audio, networking, and display outputs function |
| Accessories | Any missing items are listed on the receipt |
| Warranty | Coverage applies to the display unit |
Running a demanding game or benchmark can reveal overheating, crashes, unusual fan noise, or unstable performance.
The SSD’s health information may also show how long the system was used while on display.
Costco Warranty Coverage Adds Value
The usefulness of the deal depends partly on whether the computer retains normal warranty and return coverage.
A display model should ideally include written confirmation of the missing accessory and any cosmetic damage. This prevents confusion if the system later needs to be returned or repaired.
MSI’s manufacturer warranty may also require the original receipt and serial number. The buyer should register the desktop and verify its coverage soon after purchase.
A strong return policy makes display hardware less risky, since faults may not appear during a quick inspection in the store.
Similar Deals Are Difficult to Predict
The discount appears to have been specific to one location and one display unit.
Costco stores may have different inventory, rebate periods, and clearance policies. A missing accessory does not guarantee that another branch will offer the same reduction.
Still, shoppers looking for high end hardware may benefit from checking display shelves and asking staff whether older systems are scheduled for clearance.
The buyer’s MSI Aegis ZS2 combines an RTX 5080, Ryzen 9 9900X, 32GB of DDR5 memory, and 2TB of storage for less than the cost of many similarly equipped custom builds. Assuming the system is complete, stable, and covered by warranty, the missing keyboard was a minor compromise for a discount of roughly $900.
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