NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090: Leaked Specs and What to Expect

The tech world, especially the PC gaming community, has been buzzing with excitement over leaked details about NVIDIA's next-generation flagship GPU, the GeForce RTX 5090. Fresh leaks suggest significant hardware upgrades that could once again set benchmarks in the realm of gaming and graphical performance. If you're a gaming enthusiast, tech junkie, or content creation powerhouse, buckle up, because this GPU might just be what you're dreaming of.

The Heart of the Beast: GB202-300 GPU​

NVIDIA is preparing to debut its latest GB202-300 GPU, a part of the much-anticipated Blackwell architecture family. Known for pushing the limits of graphical processing power, Blackwell is poised to be the successor of NVIDIA's Ada Lovelace architecture utilized in the RTX 40 series. Early information indicates that this new GPU package will be no ordinary upgrade—it’s a massive leap.
Here are the juicy details so far:

• CUDA Cores: A jaw-dropping production of 21,760 CUDA cores. This significant increase marks a leap from the RTX 4090's 16,384 cores, guaranteeing a gaming and computational performance boost.
• Die Size: With a die size of approximately 24x21 mm, production is reportedly on a cutting-edge 5nm fabrication process. Smaller die size often implies better power efficiency, but in this case, it'll also house the beefed-up CUDA cores, enabling unparalleled parallel processing power.

For context: CUDA cores are the processing units within GPUs that handle calculations for rendering graphics, AI computations, and gaming physics simulations. A higher count allows the card to handle more visual or mathematical elements simultaneously, which translates to smoother gameplay and quicker workloads.

GDDR7 Memory – The Future of Graphics Memory​

The RTX 5090 isn’t just getting a GPU upgrade; it’s packing GDDR7 memory, a technology that doubles down on performance compared to GDDR6X found in the RTX 4090. The leaked configuration shows:

• 32GB of GDDR7 Memory: This makes the GPU future-proof for years to come, handling 4K, 8K gaming, and all the AI or machine learning frameworks one could expect.
• Speeds of 28 Gbps: This makes data transmission within the memory significantly faster, enhancing load times, in-game textures, and rendering speeds.
• Memory Bandwidth of 1,792 GB/s: To put this in perspective, the RTX 4090’s bandwidth tops out at around 1,008 GB/s. The jump demonstrates what seamless performance may look like when processing massive workloads.

Memory speed and bandwidth are critical for modern GPUs. They dictate the velocity at which the card can load textures or perform graphical calculations. With bandwidth closing in on 2TB/s, RTX 5090 ensures better framerates, reduced stuttering, and lightning-fast creative workloads like 3D rendering.

A Board Built to Dominate​

Based on the leaked PCB images and specifications from trusted sources, the GeForce RTX 5090 promises to be an absolute juggernaut of graphical performance. Here's what stands out:

• Massive GPU Package: The card boasts a physical package size of 63x56mm, making it colossal by GPU standards. Such a large area is reserved for housing robust components, likely including additional VRMs (Voltage Regulation Modules) to manage power delivery.
• Power Connectors: It uses a 16-pin PCIe Gen 5.0 power connector, ensuring it can sip up to 600W of power. Yes, this means you’ll want a sturdy PSU upgrade if you’re planning to adopt this beast.
• Advanced Display Outputs: 3x DisplayPort 2.1a and 1x HDMI 2.1 are built-in. The DP 2.1a compatibility ensures future-proofing for ultra-high refresh rates at resolutions beyond 8K.

The staggering power requirements are par for the course for cutting-edge hardware, but NVIDIA is continuing its push for energy efficiency. Though the RTX 5090 requires significant wattage, its generational architectural upgrades hint at better performance-per-watt ratios.

What Makes NVIDIA Blackwell Architecture Special?​

The Blackwell generation is expected to build on advancements in:

1. Efficiency Gains: Aiming at both performance and sustainability by shrinking transistor sizes and optimizing core designs.
2. Improved Ray Tracing: Blackwell might introduce better RT cores (responsible for real-time ray tracing), pushing lifelike reflections, shadows, and light scattering even further.
3. AI-Powered Processes: Tensor cores could see revamped functionality, empowering AI-assisted graphics and computational workloads like DLSS 4.0.

DLSS 4.0 (Deep Learning Super Sampling)—if introduced—could make high-resolution, ultra-smooth gaming accessible even on lower wattage settings by upscaling graphics using machine learning.

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Can the World Handle the Power?​

Of course, sticking this kind of power into an air-cooled GPU comes with challenges:

• Thermals Could Be Tricky: The monstrous performance may mean that NVIDIA needs equally impressive cooling designs. Expect triple or even quad-slot coolers with enhanced thermal dissipation techniques.
• Compatibility: At 600W and this physical size, you might need a case upgrade. Space and airflow will inevitably become critical.
• Price: Just like the RTX 4090 shook wallets, the RTX 5090 will likely fall in the same premium-tier price range. If you’re building a PC around this card, start saving now.

It’s also important to note that power-hungry rigs like this often carry supply chain risks. Manufacturing the GPU components and specialized GDDR7 memory might mean limited availability upon launch.

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Why This Matters to Windows Users​

For Windows users, hardware like NVIDIA’s upcoming RTX 5090 ties into key workflows:

• Gaming: This GPU will redefine the boundaries, enabling settings cranked to ultra in resolutions as high as 8K.
• Productivity: Those in design, 3D modeling, or video editing ecosystems like Blender, Adobe Premiere, and Unreal Engine will see those time-intensive renders cut down drastically with this level of processing power.
• Windows 11 Optimization: Features like DirectStorage, an API in Windows 11 designed to reduce load times using NVMe drives and GPU decompression, will be fully utilized with such robust hardware.

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Key Takeaways​

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 stands to be a game-changer in more ways than one. With the upgraded GB202-300 GPU, cutting-edge GDDR7 memory, jaw-dropping bandwidth of 1,792 GB/s, and an early 2025 unveiling at CES, it embodies NVIDIA's commitment to pushing technological boundaries.
Whether you’re gaming at the highest fidelity, using your PC to crunch creative workloads, or simply want bragging rights for owning the world’s most powerful GPU, the RTX 5090 seems primed for the title. Just make sure you’ve got the power supply, space, and funds to back it up.

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What are your thoughts on this upcoming powerhouse? Are you upgrading for the RTX 5090, or is it simply too much for your workflow? Let us know in the comments below on WindowsForum.com—we want to hear all those GPU and gaming dreams!

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Source: VideoCardz.com NVIDIA GB202-300 GPU and GDDR7 memory for GeForce RTX 5090 leaked