Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 5090 Founders Edition marks a significant leap in graphics card technology. This powerhouse GPU boasts unprecedented performance, but it also demands an enormous amount of power. To meet these requirements, Nvidia engineered a revolutionary three-piece printed circuit board (PCB) design.
The main PCB of the RTX 5090 houses the GB202 chip, 32 GB of GDDR7 memory, and a massive 30-phase voltage regulating module. This compact yet powerful design enables the card to handle its 575W total board power rating while maintaining stability. The innovative layout separates display outputs and fan connectors onto separate boards, potentially reducing electrical noise and improving overall performance.
Exploring the RTX 5090 FE’s Cutting-Edge Design and its Place Among RTX 40 Series Cards
Advanced Cooling System on the RTX 5090
NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 5090 Founders Edition (FE) card boasts a novel cooling setup. Its dual-slot design is notable, especially considering the expected power draw of the 5090. The uniquely shaped fins within the cooler optimize airflow, efficiently dissipating heat from the powerful 5090 GPU, even under heavy loads.
This focus on thermal management distinguishes the RTX 5090 from even the powerful 4090 graphics card and other RTX 40 series cards. This is a noticeable improvement from even the 4090, which also required robust cooling.
Three-Piece PCB in the 5090
The RTX 5090 FE’s printed circuit board (PCB) uses a three-part design, a significant departure from previous NVIDIA PCB designs, including those found in the 4090 and other RTX 40 series cards.
This innovative design likely enhances signal integrity and heat distribution. Shorter traces between components, facilitated by the three-part PCB, result in faster signal transmission and reduced interference.
This is a key difference between the 5090 and the 4090 gpu design.
Power, Size, and the 4090 Price Comparison
The RTX 5090 is anticipated to have high power consumption, typical of high-end graphics cards. The cooling system is engineered to handle this. Its design also prioritizes fitting into smaller PC cases, catering to small form-factor builds, a feature sometimes lacking in larger cards like some 4090 rtx models.
When considering the 4090 price and the expected RTX 5090 price, the 5090’s compact design adds value. This contrasts with some larger 4090 graphics card options. Many users looking at the 4090 price are also considering the relative value proposition of the 5090.
Performance, DLSS, and Comparisons: 4070 vs 4090, 4070 Ti vs 4070, 4070 vs 4080
While details on raw performance await release, the RTX 5090 is expected to offer a substantial performance leap over the 4090 gpu. This will likely impact comparisons like 4070 vs 4090, 4070 ti vs 4070, and 4070 vs 4080. DLSS technology will likely play a significant role in maximizing performance on the 5090, similar to its impact on the NVIDIA RTX 4070 and the 4090 rtx.
The question of “which 4090 is the best” might become less relevant once the 5090 arrives, shifting the focus to the new generation. Those looking at the 4090 price might find the 5090 offers a more compelling price-to-performance ratio. The NVIDIA 5090 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 are expected to set a new performance benchmark. This will affect how people view the RTX 40 series, including the NVIDIA 4090 and NVIDIA RTX 4070.
Key Features at a Glance: RTX 5090 Compared to RTX 40 Series
| Feature | Details (RTX 5090) | Relevance to RTX 40 Series |
|---|---|---|
| Cooling | Dual-slot design with uniquely shaped fins | Improved over some 4090 cooling solutions |
| PCB | Three-piece design | Different from 4090 and other RTX 40 series designs |
| Size | Designed for small form-factor PCs | Addresses concerns about 4090 size in some builds |
| Performance Target | Significant leap over the 4090 | Will impact 4070 vs 4090 and other comparisons |
| DLSS | Expected to be supported and further enhanced | Builds on DLSS performance in RTX 40 series |
Key Takeaways
- Nvidia’s RTX 5090 features a unique three-piece PCB design for improved power delivery and performance
- The graphics card uses a 30-phase VRM to handle its high power demands efficiently
- The compact main PCB houses the GPU, memory, and power delivery components, with other functions on separate boards
RTX 5090 Specifications
The spec sheet for the RTX 5090 has already been released and here’s a table summarizing the key specs, release date, and pricing:
| Feature | RTX 5090 |
|---|---|
| CUDA Cores | 21,760 |
| RT Cores | 4th-gen, 318 TFLOPS |
| Tensor Cores | 5th-gen, 3,352 AI TOPS |
| Boost Clock | 2.41 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.01 GHz |
| Interface | PCIe 5.0 x16 |
| VRAM | 32GB GDDR7 |
| Memory Interface | 512-bit |
| Memory Bandwidth | 1,792 GB/s |
| Total Board Power (TBP) | 575W |
| Power Connectors | 1 x 16-pin |
| Release Date | January 30, 2025 |
| MSRP | $1,999 |
Important Notes:
- These specs are based on current information and may be subject to change.
- The MSRP is for the Founders Edition. Expect third-party cards with custom designs and overclocks to be priced higher.
- Availability at launch is always a factor, and prices may fluctuate based on demand.
RTX 5090 Release Date: The anticipated release date for the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 is January 30, 2025. The embargo for the card will be over on January 24, 2025 so you can expect to see reviews, benchmark data, and never before seen pictures and videos on that date.
RTX 5090 Pre Orders: Pre-orders for the RTX 5090 are expected to begin on January 24, 2025 when the embargo period has finished. The release date is January 30th so you won’t get your card until then (at the soonest) but if you get in on a pre-order you will be able to pay the MSRP price.
Most major PC Parts retailers will be opening up to pre-orders (like Amazon, Newegg, Microcenter, and Best Buy) so expect more information to come out once the embargo is over.
RTX 5090 Pricing: The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 is expected to be $1,999 for the Founders Edition. Custom cards from board partners like ASUS, MSI, and Gigabyte are likely to be priced higher, depending on their specific features, cooling solutions, and factory overclocks.
RTX 5090 Benchmark Data: Nvidia’s official RTX 5090 benchmark data reveals a substantial performance leap over the RTX 4090, with rasterization gains reaching up to 33% in select titles. This performance boost is attributed to several key architectural improvements, including a significant increase in CUDA cores, the adoption of faster GDDR7 memory with higher bandwidth, and a larger 32GB VRAM capacity.
A major highlight is the introduction of DLSS 4, featuring Multi Frame Generation, which promises to double frame rates in supported games by generating entirely new frames. While Nvidia has showcased benchmark results across various games demonstrating these improvements, it’s crucial to remember these are internal tests. Independent reviews and benchmarks will be essential for a complete understanding of the RTX 5090’s real-world performance across diverse system configurations and gaming scenarios.
RTX 5090 Specs: The RTX 5090 boasts impressive specifications, built on the Blackwell architecture. It features a significant increase in CUDA cores, reportedly up to 24,576, alongside 318 Ray Tracing Cores and 3,352 Tensor Cores. The card is equipped with 32GB of GDDR7 memory operating across a 512-bit memory interface, delivering a massive memory bandwidth of 1,792 GB/s.
Clock speeds are reported to be around 2.41 GHz for the boost clock and 2.01 GHz for the base clock. This powerhouse of a card connects via PCIe 5.0 x16 and has a total board power of 575W, utilizing a single 16-pin power connector. These specs position the RTX 5090 as a high-performance graphics card designed for demanding gaming and professional workloads.
RTX 5090 vs 4090: The RTX 5090 is the direct successor to the RTX 4090. It is expected to improve performance with better architecture, more CUDA cores, faster memory, and higher clock speeds. The 5090 will also enhance ray tracing and AI performance. In various tests, the 5090 outperforms the 4090. It has more CUDA cores, providing about a 30% boost in rasterization performance. The 5090 uses faster GDDR7 memory with a bandwidth of 1,792 GB/s, compared to the 4090’s GDDR6X at 1,008 GB/s, allowing it to handle high-resolution textures and complex scenes more smoothly. Additionally, the 5090 has 32GB of VRAM, a 33% increase from the 4090’s 24GB. This extra memory is useful for demanding games and professional applications. Finally, the 5090 features DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation, potentially doubling frame rates compared to the 4090’s DLSS 3, making it a key choice for gamers wanting top performance.
RTX 5090 Power Connector: The GeForce RTX 5090 uses a single 12V-2×6 power connector. This connector is the standard for RTX 50 series GPUs and is an improved version of the previous 12VHPWR, providing better stability.
Key points about the RTX 5090 power connector:
- Type: 12V-2×6
- Number of connectors: One
- Reason for update: Previous 12VHPWR connectors had overheating issues, leading to the newer 12V-2×6 standard.
Questions About the GeForce RTX 5090 FE
What’s Inside the RTX 5090 FE’s Circuit Board?
The GeForce RTX 5090 Founders Edition features a cutting-edge printed circuit board (PCB). It houses a massive 30-phase voltage regulator module (VRM) to supply clean, stable power to the GPU and memory. This design choice supports the card’s high power requirements and aims to enhance performance stability.
How Much Power Does the RTX 5090 FE Use?
Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 5090 Founders Edition has a total board power (TBP) rating of 575W. This represents a significant increase from previous generations, reflecting the card’s enhanced performance capabilities. The higher power consumption aligns with the GPU’s advanced features and processing power.
Is the RTX 5090 FE’s Power Supply Up to the Task?
The RTX 5090 FE requires a robust power supply to meet its 575W demand. Nvidia recommends using 3 or 4 PCIe 8-pin cables connected to the included power adapter. This setup ensures the GPU receives sufficient power for optimal performance. Users should verify their power supply’s capacity before upgrading.
What’s the Benefit of 30 Power Phases?
The 30-phase VRM in the RTX 5090 FE provides several advantages:
- Improved power stability
- Better heat distribution
- Enhanced overclocking potential
- Reduced voltage ripple
These factors contribute to consistent performance and potentially longer component lifespan.
What Cooling Is Needed for the RTX 5090 FE?
Given its 575W power consumption, the RTX 5090 FE requires robust cooling. Nvidia has redesigned the Founders Edition cooler to be larger than its predecessor. The card is longer and taller but maintains a dual-slot thickness. This suggests an improved heatsink and fan design to manage heat output effectively.
How Does the RTX 5090 FE Perform?
The GeForce RTX 5090 FE is positioned as Nvidia’s most powerful consumer GPU. Early hands-on reports from CES 2025 indicate impressive gaming performance. The card is expected to deliver significant improvements in frame rates and support advanced features like ray tracing and AI-enhanced graphics. Benchmark results are not yet available, but the GPU aims to set new standards in high-end gaming and content creation.
