Workstation

Automated Purchase of an EVGA GeForce RTX 3070 FTW3

This page details the approach I used to successfully purchase an EVGA GeForce RTX 3070 FTW3 graphics card for my workstation during a time of high demand and limited supply. At the time (as of January 25, 2021), supply shortages were rampant, and scalpers were exploiting the situation by reselling GPUs at inflated prices. To level the playing field, I developed and deployed a Python-based stock-checking bot, which I ran continuously for about a month. On Christmas Eve, the bot successfully completed a purchase — a moment I might call a holiday miracle, though more accurately, it was the result of automation and persistence.

Device

Throughout this process, I encountered various challenges:

  • NVIDIA’s site implemented bot detection and transitioned to a waitlist system.
  • EVGA’s site eventually began redirecting automated traffic to error pages.
  • Amazon occasionally presented CAPTCHAs, which my bot was able to solve.
  • Best Buy was initially accessible but later implemented stricter protections (which were still bypassable until December 24, 2020).

Project Overview

This guide will walk through:

  • Creating an isolated Python virtual environment using Anaconda.
  • Writing and configuring the automation script for continuous monitoring and cart-checkout logic.
  • Sharing insights into bot design and handling anti-bot measures.
  • Showcasing the final workstation setup, including integration with a side project involving an ESP8266 LED lighting system.

By combining Python scripting with careful handling of site mechanics, I was able to automate the GPU purchase process in a way that mirrored — and competed with — commercial scalping bots, while staying within personal ethical boundaries and technical curiosity.