NVIDIA Shrinks Flagship GPU: RTX 5090 Slimmer, Lighter, and More Powerful Than Ever

After numerous rumors about the RTX 5090 from NVIDIA and countless memes depicting oversized cooling fans on their upcoming next-gen graphics cards, I’ve uncovered evidence that contradicts expectations. Instead of being as wide as its RTX 4090 Founders Edition predecessor, the new RTX 5090 FE has reduced in size to a two-slot configuration, while maintaining its edge-to-edge shape.

As a researcher studying graphics cards, one noticeable modification I’ve observed in the RTX 50 Series reference card design is NVIDIA’s implementation of their “Double Flow Through” cooling system, featuring two fans positioned on the same side of the card. The heatsink fin pattern remains, though it has been redesigned in a more compact fashion. Additionally, there’s been a significant decrease in branding sizes, with the ‘RTX 5090’ logo now located on the opposite side to minimize visual distractions.

As an analyst, my initial thoughts are centered around the impact of this sleek redesign on the cooling capabilities of NVIDIA’s latest fan system, given the upgraded internal components. Unfortunately, due to a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA), I can’t delve into that aspect just yet, but rest assured, I’ll share more details as soon as I’m allowed to. However, I must say, the design refresh for the RTX 5090 has instantly captured my admiration, with its metallic casing boasting a sleek, polished finish.

Compared to the RTX 4090 FE, this model is 16.51% lighter, tipping the scales at 1.82 kg (or 4.01 lbs), whereas the RTX 4090 FE weighs 2.18 kg (or 4.80 lbs). Although it’s still quite heavy and may require a sag mount in your PC case to protect your motherboard’s PCIe slot from undue stress, the good news is that the 600W power supply’s 12V2x6 cable now connects at an angle. This change reduces the risk of damage caused by over-bending.

RTX 5090 vs. RTX 4090 side-by side

Without a doubt, the RTX 5090 FE appears impressive individually, but it’s the generational contrast that truly showcases its advancements. When placed beside the GeForce RTX 4090 Founders Edition, the slimmer two-slot design of the RTX 5090 FE seems almost alien from an overhead view. Noticeable differences include the angled power connector and flipped video output ports located on the rear mounting side. However, the most striking change is the significant decrease in ventilation near the DisplayPort and HDMI connections.

In the RTX 5090’s space, two obvious issues stand out – the “price” and the “power consumption,” and it’s no wonder that a hefty PCIe adapter comes in the package, requiring a four-way connection with many high-powered PSUs currently available. I have a 450W 12VHPWR cable suitable for my 1300W unit, but it won’t suffice for NVIDIA’s newest powerhouse. To handle this beast, I’ll need at least a 600W PSU, which means I’ll have to rummage through my collection of power cables.

Discussing the packaging, it’s entirely crafted from paper and cardboard, reminiscent of Apple’s design. It’s quite impressive, although I’ll surely miss the anti-static bag that usually comes with other GPUs, like the RTX 5090, for storage during testing. The emphasis on eco-friendly packaging is a trend we anticipate in 2025, a topic we recognized and celebrated at CES 2025. It’s heartening to see NVIDIA aligning with this approach.

Instead of guessing about the performance specifications, I prefer to maintain a legally secure suspense for a while longer. For now, let it be known that I’m quite fond of the GeForce RTX 50 Series aesthetic design. However, my electricity bill is showing signs of anxiety as to whether upgrading from my reliable RTX 3060 12GB daily driver will be worth it. Nonetheless, this sleek design has certainly piqued my interest and is potentially luring me away from the less appealing GPUs manufactured by third-party brands.

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2025-01-20 21:09