Title: Diving into the RTX 5090: Nvidia's Powerhouse GPU
I'm not a fan of many graphics cards, finding their sleek designs and low-profile components more appealing than their bulky counterparts. However, the Nvidia RTX 5090 Founders Edition is an exception. This monstrous slab of dark grey metal looks downright menacing, like a demanding, brick-like beetle ready to consume your entire PC.
Nvidia sent me the RTX 5090 for review, but with a catch. I couldn't show you it powered on or even snuggle it up in a desktop case. So, I'm here to share my first impressions.
The Founders Edition measures around 12 inches by 5.3 inches and is 2 inches deep, similar in size to the RTX 4090 Founders Edition with its two-fan design. But the 5090 is slightly shorter, making it a two-slot card. But don't let its size fool you; it's a heavy card, leaving you with a sense of unease about supporting it with only a PCIe slot and two screws.
Comparatively, the 5090 seems more self-contained than the other cards we have on hand, like the PNY RTX 4080 Super, Asus RTX 4080 Super, and MSI RTX 4070 Ti Super, all with three fans. It takes up fewer slots inside your case but demands extra support for any sticking out parts.
Nvidia claims its new cooling system will keep the card cool under pressure, with an intake below and exhaust coming out above. This seems ideal for most setups where airflow moves from bottom to top.
The weight adds to the card's intimidating appeal, especially compared to the RTX 4090's silver sides. It even lets you see the heat pipes running through it when you shine a light on it. The only other notable feature is the glowing GeForce RTX logo when the card is turned on.
The Founders Edition comes in a corrugated cardboard box that mimics the card's footprint, with the GPU itself free from an anti-static bag or sleeve. Inside, you'll find the card, a single 4x PCIe 5.0 adapter, and a 12V-2×6 power connector that Nvidia advises you'll either need hooked up to four PCIe 8-pin connectors or a 600W PCIe Gen 5 cable.
The RTX 5090 requires a power supply with a capacity of 1000W or greater to ensure it receives sufficient power for optimal performance. With its improved 12V-2×6 power connector, the card provides better stability and is the standard for RTX 50 series GPUs.
The 16-pin power connection now sits at an angle to the card itself, which might benefit users with smaller cases. However, for larger setups like mine, it means I need to twist the power connection to fit it correctly. Behind it, you'll find only three DisplayPort 2.1 and a single HDMI 2.1b port.
In short, the RTX 5090 Founders Edition is a formidable graphics card, requiring a powerful and robust power supply to meet its 575W demand.
Despite its intimidating size and weight, the future of gaming technology lies in the hands of the Nvidia RTX 5090 Founders Edition. With its advanced cooling system and improved power connector, it promises to deliver superior performance, setting a new standard for the RTX 50 series GPUs.
