HardwareGraphics CardsNvidia’s RTX 5090 might not be the jumbo big boi we were all expectingWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

HardwareGraphics CardsNvidia’s RTX 5090 might not be the jumbo big boi we were all expectingWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Nvidia)

Nvidia RTX 30 series cooler

We expect Nvidia’s next-generation flagship graphics card to be a powerful beast. In terms of pixel-pushing power, it surely will be. But aside from being fast, will it end up as the big, hot, power guzzling behemoth that we’re expecting?

Perhaps not, according to reliable leakster and Kimi Raikkonen superfanKopite7kimi. They suggest that Nvidia’s hypothetically named RTX 5090 could actually end up with a dual -slot, twin-fan cooler. That would fly in the face of current thinking, when even 250-300W cards are commonly equipped with very large triple fan coolers that can take up over three slots.

No, RTX 5090 FE has a 2-slot cooler.May 29, 2024

No, RTX 5090 FE has a 2-slot cooler.May 29, 2024

Now it may be that Nvidia is able to extract a lot of performance from theBlackwell siliconwithout having to push 450 watts through it. That’s the rated power consumption of theRTX 4090, which features a triple slot cooler.

But, if Nvidia could shrink the RTX 5090 cooler down to two slots, I can’t imagine it being a 450W card. If so, that opens up new lines of speculation. Would it mean the RTX 5090 will not use the high end GB202 chip? Or if it does, are an unusually high number of shader units disabled?

Your next upgrade(Image credit: Future)Best CPU for gaming: The top chips from Intel and AMD.Best gaming motherboard: The right boards.Best graphics card: Your perfect pixel-pusher awaits.Best SSD for gaming: Get into the game ahead of the rest.

Your next upgrade

(Image credit: Future)Best CPU for gaming: The top chips from Intel and AMD.Best gaming motherboard: The right boards.Best graphics card: Your perfect pixel-pusher awaits.Best SSD for gaming: Get into the game ahead of the rest.

(Image credit: Future)

Nvidia RTX 4070 and RTX 3080 Founders Edition graphics cards

Best CPU for gaming: The top chips from Intel and AMD.Best gaming motherboard: The right boards.Best graphics card: Your perfect pixel-pusher awaits.Best SSD for gaming: Get into the game ahead of the rest.

It’s all speculation for now, but I would contend that the rumor of a dual slot cooler could simply be an unintentional mis-statement. Manufacturers are often generous when reporting a card’s width. A dual slot card could be 2.5 or 2.7 slots in width, even though it takes up three in reality, as the extra fraction means an adjacent PCIe slot cannot be used.

We know Nvidia has tested avery large quad-slot coolerwith a perpendicular mounting. It looks like the kind of cooler that could handle a ludicrous 600W TDP.

Whatever form Nvidia’s cooler takes, partner cards are certain to push the envelope. There are several quad slot cards on the market already, and Asus even has a five-slot RTX 4080 complete with Noctua fans. We can expect more of the same when it comes to next generation behemoths.

The biggest gaming news, reviews and hardware deals

From what we can gather, the launch of Nvidia’s next-gen Blackwell-series graphics cards isnot imminent. There are plenty of rumors, but with many months remaining, take any rumors with a grain of salt for now.

What is certain is that the RTX 5090 will be a fast card. But how fast? We look forward to finding out.

TOPICSNvidia

TOPICS

PRODUCTSNvidia GeForce RTX 5090Nvidia Blackwell

PRODUCTS

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Is the new RTX 5070 really as fast as Nvidia’s previous flagship RTX 4090 GPU? Turns out the answer is yes. Kinda.It’s time for me to admit that AI-accelerated frame generation might actually be the way of the future and that’s a good thing

Nvidia RTX 5070 graphics card

Is the new RTX 5070 really as fast as Nvidia’s previous flagship RTX 4090 GPU? Turns out the answer is yes. Kinda.

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Nvidia RTX 5090 Founders Edition rendered on a green background.

It’s time for me to admit that AI-accelerated frame generation might actually be the way of the future and that’s a good thing

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