Nvidia's highly anticipated GeForce RTX 5090 Founders Edition is set to arrive later this month, and we've had the opportunity to get our hands on one for a preliminary examination. This isn't a full-fledged review, but rather an initial look at the card's design and how it compares to its predecessor, the RTX 4090.
A New Look, Inside and Out
The first thing that stands out is the striking departure from the RTX 40-series Founders Edition packaging. Nvidia has opted for a more compact and distinctive approach, housing the RTX 5090 within a smaller, bone-shaped gray cardboard shell that resides within a larger brown outer box. This unique design, reminiscent of a dog toy, adds a touch of personality to the otherwise technical presentation.
Power Delivery Enhancements
The outer box, emblazoned with the tagline "Inspired by gamers. Enhanced by AI. Built by Nvidia," also contains a revised power adapter cable for the RTX 5090. This cable incorporates an updated version of the 12VHPWR connector, requiring four standard PCIe eight-pin power connectors or a new 12V-2x6 cable. While the 12V-2x6 connector exhibits minor variations from the existing 12VHPWR standard, it's crucial to note that existing 12VHPWR cables will still be compatible with the RTX 5090.
A Slimmer Profile, Same Performance
The RTX 5090 maintains the same width and length as its predecessor, the RTX 4090. However, it boasts a significantly slimmer profile, thanks to its two-slot design compared to the RTX 4090's three-slot configuration. This reduction in size is a remarkable achievement, demonstrating Nvidia's commitment to optimizing the card's footprint without compromising on performance.
Cooling System Overhaul
The exterior design changes necessitate a complete overhaul of the RTX 5090's cooling system. Nvidia has transitioned to dual flow-through fans, drawing cooler air from below and efficiently exhausting it above the card into the rest of the system. While the RTX 5090 lacks the rear exhaust present in the RTX 40-series Founders Edition cards, it incorporates small slots on either side to establish an airflow boundary, preventing warm air from recirculating beneath the card.
The PCB of the RTX 5090 is strategically positioned at the center of the GPU, surrounded by large heat pipes that effectively transfer heat away from the core, facilitated by the cool air drawn in by the dual flow-through fans.
Stay Tuned for the Full Review
This initial glimpse of the RTX 5090 provides a tantalizing preview of Nvidia's latest flagship graphics card. While this article focuses on the card's design and physical characteristics, a comprehensive review, including performance benchmarks and in-depth analysis, will be forthcoming.
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