Nvidia's next-generation flagship graphics card, the RTX 5090, is shaping up to be a beast of unprecedented proportions, if recent rumors are to be believed. The upcoming GPU is said to feature significant upgrades in power consumption, memory, and overall performance that could leave its predecessor, the RTX 4090, in the dust.
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| The upcoming Nvidia RTX 5090 promises unprecedented power and performance enhancements as a next-gen flagship graphics card |
Dual Power Connectors: A New Era of Power Consumption
One of the most striking rumors surrounding the RTX 5090 is the potential inclusion of two 16-pin power connectors. This information comes from a recent showcase of MSI's new high-wattage power supplies, which feature dual 12V-2x6 connectors. MSI claims this design is to accommodate next-generation GPUs, leading many to speculate it's specifically for Nvidia's upcoming flagship.
The addition of a second power connector could be Nvidia's solution to the melting cable issues that plagued some RTX 4090 users. By distributing the power load across two cables, the risk of overheating and damage might be significantly reduced.
Performance Leap: A 33% Increase Across the Board
According to leaks from reliable sources, the RTX 5090 is set to offer substantial improvements over its predecessor:
- CUDA Cores: 21,760 (33% increase from RTX 4090)
- Memory: 32GB GDDR7 (33% increase)
- Memory Bus: 512-bit (33% wider)
- TGP: 600W (33% higher)
These consistent 33% increases suggest Nvidia might be targeting a similar performance uplift. However, the memory bandwidth is rumored to see an even more impressive 78% boost, reaching 1,792 GB/s thanks to the combination of the wider bus and faster GDDR7 memory.
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| Enthusiasts eagerly await the performance specifications of the RTX 5090, with substantial upgrades being the talk of the community |
Cooling Concerns and Form Factor
Despite the significant power increase, rumors suggest the RTX 5090 might maintain a dual-slot design for its Founders Edition. This has led to speculation about potential liquid cooling solutions or other innovative cooling techniques Nvidia might employ.
Pricing Speculation
With such massive performance gains, many are wondering about the potential price tag. Given the lack of competition in the high-end GPU market, estimates suggest the RTX 5090 could launch at around $2,100, a significant premium over the RTX 4090's $1,600 MSRP.
RTX 5080: A Less Exciting Prospect?
While the RTX 5090 is generating buzz, rumors about the RTX 5080 have been less enthusiastic. With only a reported 5% increase in CUDA cores over the RTX 4080 Super, the mid-range offering might struggle to justify an upgrade for current 4000-series owners.
Launch Timeline
Current speculation points to a potential unveiling at CES 2025, with a possible launch in late 2024 or early 2025. However, with Nvidia facing no significant competition in the high-end GPU market, they may not feel pressured to rush these new cards to market.
As always, it's important to approach these rumors with caution. While the sources have been reliable in the past, specifications and launch dates can change as we get closer to official announcements. Nonetheless, the potential leap in performance has many enthusiasts eagerly anticipating Nvidia's next move in the GPU arms race.