Tag: RTX 5090

February 13, 2025
RTX 5080 Added to Blackwell GPUs That Overheat Power Connectors
Key Takeaways
1. A Reddit user reported a malfunctioning RTX 5080, highlighting potential issues in the RTX 50 series.
2. The RTX 5080 showed a red light warning, indicating a cable connection issue, leading to reduced GPU performance.
3. Damage was found at the PSU end of the 12VHPWR connector, though not as severe as issues with the RTX 5090.
4. Tests revealed RTX 50 series cards could reach extremely high temperatures and draw excessive current, suggesting design flaws.
5. Concerns over the reliability of RTX 5090 and 5080 may lead buyers to consider alternative options like the RX 9070 XT.
If the issues with the spontaneously combusting Ryzen 7 9800X3D and GeForce RTX 5090 power connectors weren’t enough, there’s a new problem on the horizon. A Reddit user recently shared their experience with a malfunctioning RTX 5080, which has almost half the thermal design power (TDP) of the RTX 5090.
The Discovery of a Problem
User u/Ambitious_Ladder1320 realized something was wrong when their GeForce RTX 5080 began flashing a red light, an indicator often linked to a cable connection issue. After re-seating the cable and rebooting their system, the warning light disappeared; however, the GPU performance dropped to PCIe Gen3 speeds. Consequently, their display’s refresh rate and resolution were noticeably lower. A closer look revealed significant damage at the PSU end of the 12VHPWR connector, though it was not as severe as the issues seen with the earlier RTX 5090.
Design Flaws in the RTX 50 Series
This points toward a possible design flaw in the RTX 50 series, especially since Der8auer’s tests showed that the cards could reach temperatures of 150 degrees Celsius and pull as much as 22 Amperes of current—much higher than the wire’s specifications allow. Gamer’s Nexus has also jumped in to examine the situation, offering to purchase the PSU, cable, and the RTX 5080 for further investigation.
User Error or Serious Concern?
We will have to wait and see if this is a matter of user mistake, a theory proposed by at least one Redditor. Regardless, this raises red flags for anyone considering buying an RTX 5090 or 5080. However, acquiring one of these cards is nearly impossible right now. It might be wiser to hold out for the RX 9070 XT, and with a bit of luck, you could even get your hands on the 32 GB version later this year.
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Tags: RTX 5080, RTX 5090, Ryzen 7 9800X3D
February 11, 2025
Melted RTX 5090 Power Connector Due to Circuit Design Flaw
Key Takeaways
1. A user experienced a dead RTX 5090, initially thought to be user error due to third-party cables.
2. Der8auer investigated and found severe burns on both connectors and cable shielding, indicating a serious issue.
3. One cable was pushing nearly 260 Watts (22 Amperes) through a single wire, far exceeding the recommended 5-6 Amperes.
4. Thermal images revealed a hot spot over 100 degrees near the PSU, suggesting potential for cable failure under extreme conditions.
5. Caution is advised with power setups for the RTX 5090, and it’s too early to blame the hardware without further investigation from Nvidia.
Getting an RTX 5090 turned out to be quite a challenge, and for the few lucky ones who did get their hands on one, there was an unfortunate incident where a user ended up with an extremely costly piece of junk. Recently, on Reddit, one user shared their troubles with a dead RTX 5090, and many thought it was just a case of user fault since they were utilizing a third-party cable.
A Deeper Investigation
However, Der8auer connected with the user to check out the damaged GPU and its cables. His findings tell a completely different story. In a video he shared, you can see that both sides of the connectors were entirely burnt. The cable’s shielding also suffered burns from the intense current flowing through it. Notably, this issue occurred with just one wire on the 12V-2×6 cable, suggesting that it carried more current than the others.
Shocking Power Draw
Using a cable provided by Nvidia, Der8auer discovered that one cable was pushing nearly 260 Watts (22 Amperes) through a single wire, which is drastically higher than the advised range of 5-6 Amperes. Thermal images taken during the test confirmed the presence of a hot spot exceeding 100 degrees near the power supply unit (PSU). This indicates that any cable, even those supplied by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM), can fail under such conditions.
Caution Advised
While there may be real concerns regarding how the RTX 5090 draws power from the PSU, this is just one documented case, and it’s too soon to start blaming the hardware. Nvidia has not yet provided an official statement on the matter. It might take some time for them to respond, as they are likely preoccupied with addressing black screen problems that have arisen from a recent driver update.
Tags: Der8auer, NVIDIA, RTX 5090
February 11, 2025
Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 Beats RTX 4090 in VR: Up to 2.5x FPS
Key Takeaways
1. The RTX 5080 launch was disappointing, showing minimal upgrades compared to the previous model, while the RTX 5090 performed significantly better.
2. The RTX 5090 features 33% more CUDA cores, 32 GB of GDDR7 VRAM, and a 79% increase in memory bandwidth, making it ideal for ultra-high-resolution VR.
3. In VR gaming benchmarks, the RTX 5090 demonstrated substantial performance gains, including a 50% boost in Skyrim VR at 300% resolution and a 65% improvement in Outer Wilds VR.
4. The RTX 5090 outperformed the RTX 4090 by an impressive 152% in Red Matter 2 at 400% resolution, showcasing its dominance in VR applications.
5. Designed for enthusiasts, the RTX 5090 is a strong choice for VR fans, provided supply issues are resolved.
The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 and 5080 had a rather controversial launch, to say the least. The RTX 5080 turned out to be quite disappointing, showing a barely noticeable upgrade compared to its earlier version. On the other hand, the RTX 5090 performed better, which was expected given its 33% increase in CUDA cores and VRAM. A recent analysis on YouTube suggests that the RTX 5090 could offer a remarkable generational leap in a particular area: ultra-high-resolution Virtual Reality.
Specs of the RTX 5090
Before we get into the exciting details, let’s recap what the Nvidia RTX 5090 has to offer: It has 33% more CUDA cores compared to the RTX 4090, a TDP of 575 watts, and 32 GB of GDDR7 VRAM on a 512-bit bus, leading to an enormous ~79% increase in memory bandwidth. This rapid memory bandwidth is crucial for ultra-high-resolution VR settings. It’s worth mentioning that several high-end VR headsets with incredibly high per-eye resolutions are on the way, which is why @Omniwhatever set up 400% virtual desktop (6144×6432) on his Quest 3 headset, which is currently priced at $500 on Amazon.
Performance in VR Games
Kicking off with Skyrim VR, the GeForce RTX 5090 showed a 24.5% advantage over the RTX 4090, a modest gain that aligns with gaming benchmarks. But at 300% resolution, the RTX 5090 achieved an impressive ~50% boost compared to the RTX 4090. In Outer Wilds VR, the RTX 5090 really shines, boasting a significant 65% improvement at 400% resolution. The super-fast 1.792 TB/s memory bandwidth is clearly proving its worth.
Dominance in Red Matter 2
In Red Matter 2, the GeForce RTX 5090, to put it simply, leaves the RTX 4090 in the dust—at 400% resolution, the RTX 5090 surpasses the RTX 4090 by an astonishing 152%. Omniwhatever tested a variety of other games on both graphics cards, and the RTX 5090 consistently showed remarkable performance gains. Even so, VR still remains a niche market even in 2025, particularly in the ultra-high-end category where the RTX 5090 truly excels.
Conclusion
The RTX 5090 is designed for enthusiasts. Its impressive performance in demanding workloads is excellent news for VR fans with deep pockets, assuming that the poor supply situation improves. Be sure to check out Omniwhatever’s outstanding video embedded below!
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Tags: Nvidia GeForce, RTX 5090, Virtual Reality
February 9, 2025
Zotac Launches RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 GPUs for Gamers
Much like the launch of the 30 series in 2020, the new RTX 50 series GPUs are facing serious scalping issues, with large quantities being purchased in mere seconds after they become available. To tackle this problem, Zotac has introduced an interesting approach. However, as of now, this solution is only available to people living in the United States.
Engaging with the Community
Zotac has transformed the process of getting a GeForce RTX 5090 or RTX 5080 into a sort of game. To participate, users must join their Discord server and actively take part in challenges, discussions, and other community events. The more you engage in meaningful ways, the greater your chances of being selected. It’s important to note that this program gives you a chance to buy a graphics card, not to receive one for free.
Fair Purchase Opportunities
Selected participants will have a limited window to buy their new RTX 5090 or RTX 5080. Zotac has also implemented a one-per-household rule to ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity. Users caught reselling the GPUs will be disqualified from future raffles. Currently, only GeForce RTX 5080 cards are available, and there is no update on when the RTX 5090 models will be restocked.
Joining Zotac’s Discord
For those interested, joining the Zotac USA Discord is essential to taking part in this unique purchasing opportunity. Users must be prepared to engage actively to increase their chances of being chosen for a chance to buy these in-demand graphics cards.
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Tags: RTX 5080, RTX 5090, Zotac
February 8, 2025
RTX 5090 & 5080 Users Report Black Screen Issues, Driver Problems
Not too long ago, there were reports about the GeForce RTX 5090D and RTX 5080 GPUs in China facing bricking issues stemming from driver complications. Some regular RTX 5090 users had similar experiences, but the numbers weren’t as high. Now, these two Blackwell GPUs are causing even more trouble for users (H/T @Zirkoz1 on X), just after they jumped through numerous hoops to get their hands on one. A user shared their experience on Reddit, detailing the following situation:
I got my RTX 5090 Gaming Trio yesterday. When I tried to run 3DMark Time Spy, I encountered the strangest issue. Once the loading bar completes, the screen turns completely red, and it cycles through blue, white, green, black, and red continuously, while the benchmark runs in the background. Then it stops and shows loading for the next test (Graphics test 1, Graphics test 2, and CPU test).
User Complaints
Another user mentioned facing a black screen problem, but that post has since been removed from r/Nvidia. Additionally, several users on Hardwareluxx’s forums are reporting similar difficulties with their systems.
Hey, I’m still dealing with issues on my MSI 5090 Gaming Trio OC. I’d really appreciate any help, as I’m running out of ideas. Whether it’s in games or benchmarks like 3DMark (Steel Nomad), I get a black screen and the sound lags for about a minute before my PC restarts. I have a multi-boot setup with different Windows versions, but the issue occurs on both.
Affected Models
Although most issues seem to arise from the RTX 5090, there is at least one RTX 5080 reported to be affected, but in fewer cases. Some suggested fixes include operating the card on PCIe Gen4, avoiding riser cables, downgrading Windows versions, and for the first Reddit user, using just one monitor at 4K 60 Hz.
Currently, it appears that only a small number of users are affected. However, more cases may surface as additional RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 units are delivered. Most of the problematic cards appear to be from MSI, but a Founders’ Edition and a Gigabyte variant are also facing issues.
Uncertainty Around Causes
At this point, it’s unclear if Nvidia’s drivers are behind the chaos or if it’s related to Windows updates. However, it seems likely that the drivers are the culprits since some previous-generation cards are also misbehaving after the recent GeForce Game Ready 572.16 driver update.
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Tags: driver issues, MSI, RTX 5090
February 3, 2025
GeForce RTX 5090 Sells for 193% Markup in US and Japan
One of Zotac’s latest RTX 5090 graphics cards recently fetched an impressive $6,600 during an eBay auction. The specific model that sold is the Zotac Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 Solid Overclocked Triple Fan SKU, which is currently priced at $2,249.99 on Micro Center, although it is not available for purchase. The seller of this graphics card mentioned that they had just acquired it from Micro Center, meaning they earned a profit of over $4,000 in just a few days, thanks to a remarkable 193% markup.
Scalpers and Resellers
It’s common to see scalpers and resellers asking outrageous fixed prices for in-demand items like the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090. While we’ve reported on this before, the recent eBay auction for an AIB RTX 5090 that ended at $6,600 adds a new layer to this discussion. Interestingly, the Zotac model is not even the priciest option available, as the Asus Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 Astral LC is listed for $3,099.99 at Micro Center. If you calculate a 193% markup on that price, the Asus card would reach a jaw-dropping $9,083.
Global Scalping Trends
A similar trend is happening in Japan where PC fans are vocalizing their frustrations over reseller prices on platforms like Yahoo Auctions. As of now, an MSI GeForce RTX 5090 is available with a fixed price of 1,000,000 yen, which is around $6,445. Additionally, another MSI Gaming Trio board has received 33 bids and is currently listed at 651,000 yen, just under $4,200, with about 18 hours left for eager or affluent gamers to potentially line the pockets of scalpers.
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Tags: RTX 5090, Scalping, Zotac
January 31, 2025
Nvidia RTX 5080 and 5090 Prices Surge Due to Shortages
Many gamers had braced themselves for a letdown on the day Nvidia launched the RTX 50 series. Just a few days earlier, Nvidia had dampened expectations, cautioning consumers about potential shortages in GPU stock. Unfortunately, these worries have come true, as inventory at stores has either vanished quickly or is completely absent. Unsurprisingly, scalpers are exploiting the situation, reselling the scarce RTX 5080 and RTX 5090 GPUs for several hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than their original prices.
Retail Availability
Retailers like Best Buy and Newegg released Nvidia’s newest GPUs this morning around 9 AM EST. However, only a handful of buyers tracking stock on platforms like Reddit and Discord reported any success. While locating a product page with a card available wasn’t particularly hard, hopes faded fast once consumers reached the checkout stage. Other frustrated gamers directed their anger towards Nvidia’s official store, which still hadn’t listed the RTX 5080 or RTX 5090 Founders Edition for purchase.
Scalper Success
At first, scalpers took a gamble by investing in the RTX 50 series when the market was still uncertain. But soon, eBay’s closing prices clearly showed that they could earn significant profits, even after accounting for steep selling fees. Many dubious listings that violate eBay rules are swiftly taken down. Meanwhile, sellers who post images holding an RTX 5090 are reaping the highest sale prices. One seller with a good reputation on eBay showcased a Zotac Gaming GeForce RTX 5090 Solid outside a Micro Center, and it closed at just over $6000—far above the expected price of $1999.
RTX 5080 Pricing
The Nvidia RTX 5080 is not fetching as high a price above retail as the RTX 5090. Most sales hover around $2000-2200, with a few Zotac Gaming GeForce RTX 5080 GPUs sold for about $1800. While this price is still inflated, it’s not nearly as extreme as the triple MSRP for many RTX 5090 units.
The outlook for any meaningful restocks of the RTX 50 series isn’t bright. Many experts attribute this to a design flaw in the Blackwell GPU chips, which caused delays in production. Companies like MSI received only a small fraction of the units they anticipated, significantly lowering the availability of custom cards.
Future Supply Challenges
If history serves as a guide, the supply of certain graphics cards may never fully satisfy demand. Nonetheless, after another frustrating launch, buyers are hopeful that Nvidia will find a way to accelerate the production timeline.
Tags: NVIDIA, RTX 5080, RTX 5090
January 25, 2025
RTX 5090 vs RTX 4090: Efficiency Comparison at Same Power Level
Reviews of the RTX 5090 have been released, and for those who seek top-tier performance without worrying about price or energy use, Nvidia has truly outdone itself with the RTX 5090. This graphics card excels in both rasterization and ray tracing, offering unmatched capabilities at 4K resolution. With the addition of DLSS 4, this GPU can achieve over 200 FPS in 4K gaming for titles that utilize Nvidia’s Multi-Frame Generation technology.
Performance Comparison
However, the RTX 5090 does not represent as significant an improvement over the RTX 4090 as the RTX 4090 did compared to the RTX 3090. In our evaluations, the new GPU shows an average performance increase of 27% over the RTX 4090. It’s important to note that this performance boost comes with a hefty rise in power usage; the RTX 5090 has a power rating of 575 W, compared to the RTX 4090’s 450 W.
Power Normalization Insights
This raises an intriguing question: How does the performance of the RTX 5090 stack up against the RTX 4090 when both cards are adjusted for power consumption? Luckily, ComputerBase has conducted tests, and the findings are quite enlightening.
Their research indicates that the RTX 5090 achieves an average of 17% more FPS compared to the RTX 4090 in rasterization tasks when both GPUs are limited to 450 W. This means that when the RTX 5090 is restricted to using 125 W less power, it experiences an 8% decline in performance.
CUDA Cores and Performance
The 17% increase in performance at 450 W is particularly noteworthy, especially since the RTX 5090 contains 33% more CUDA cores than the RTX 4090. One might expect a more significant performance disparity than the observed 17% when the power advantage of the RTX 5090 is negated. That said, the slightly lower clock speeds of the RTX 5090 (113 MHz less) likely play a role in limiting its overall performance.
In conclusion, it appears that Nvidia is relying on sheer power to maintain a competitive edge for the RTX 5090 over the RTX 4090. However, this approach may not bode well for the efficiency of the GPU, as the RTX 5090’s performance scales linearly with thermal design power (TDP)—showing a 27% performance increase for a 28% increase in energy consumption. For context, the RTX 4090 boasts over a 50% performance lead compared to the RTX 3090, with only a 29% higher TDP.
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Tags: DLSS 4, RTX 4090, RTX 5090
January 24, 2025
RTX 5090 at $2,799 and RTX 5080 at $1,899: Price Leak
Just recently, the official pricing for the new Blackwell series graphics cards from Nvidia was revealed. The author noted that the flagship RTX 5090’s price was “pretty fair,” while the other models were “priced reasonably”:
High Expectations for the RTX 5090
It was no secret that the GeForce RTX 5090 would come with a hefty price tag, given its impressive specifications, including 32 GB of GDDR7 VRAM and 21,760 CUDA cores. The listed price for the RTX 5080 appears to be acceptable. However, gamers looking to get the highly modified Asus ROG Astral OC version should prepare to spend an additional $900, bringing the total to $1,899.99—this amount is before any scalpers get involved. Gigabyte also has a pricier version of the RTX 5080, called the Windforce SFF, which is reportedly priced at $1,369.99.
Price Surprises for Custom Boards
The custom RTX 5090 models are also facing some surprising pricing strategies. A list shared on Reddit and NeoGAF seems to stem from a mistake by B&H Photo and PC PartPicker. For instance, MSI’s Ventus 3X OC variant is being offered for $200 more than Nvidia’s suggested price. The premiums quickly escalate, with some models costing over $400, $500, and even $800 more than Nvidia’s official retail price, with the previously mentioned Asus card at the forefront:
RTX 5090
– Asus ROG Astral OC: $2,799.99
– Asus TUF Gaming: $2,449.99
– MSI Suprim Liquid SOC: $2,499.99
– MSI Suprim SOC: $2,399.99
– MSI Vanguard SOC Launch Edition: $2,379.99
– MSI Vanguard SOC: $2,379.99
– MSI Gaming Trio OC: $2,349.99
– MSI Ventus 3X OC: $2,199.99
RTX 5080
– Asus ROG Astral OC: $1,899.99
– Asus TUF Gaming OC: $1,699.99
– Asus Prime OC: $1,499.99
– Asus Prime: $1,399.99
– Gigabyte Windforce SFF: $1,369.99
– Gigabyte Gaming OC: $1,199.99
– MSI Suprim Liquid SOC: $1,299.99
– MSI Suprim SOC: $1,249.99
– MSI Vanguard SOC: $1,229.99
– MSI Gaming Trio OC: $1,199.99
– MSI Gaming Trio OC (White): $1,199.99
– MSI Inspire 3X OC (Gold): $1,169.99
– MSI Ventus 3X OC Plus: $1,139.99
Scalpers Will Likely Dominate the Market
Considering that only a limited number of units are expected to be available at launch, it’s clear what’s likely to happen: Scalpers will grab all the stock and attempt to sell them at ridiculous prices on eBay. For those looking for a more affordable option, maybe check out something from the Lovelace series: the Asus Dual GeForce RTX 4070 is currently being sold for $569.99 on Amazon.
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Tags: Asus ROG Astral OC, RTX 5090, scalpers
January 22, 2025
Nvidia Responds to RTX 5090 Power Connector Melting Issues
With the Nvidia RTX 5090 priced at $1999, there’s a growing concern about a potential melted power connector. This issue previously affected the RTX 4090, leading both Nvidia and third-party manufacturers to update their cabling solutions. The revamped 12V-2×6 16-pin cable has helped reduce incidents, but the new flagship GPU demands even more power. A Korean tech site, Quasar Zone, reported that Nvidia attempted to ease worries about this problem at a recent press event.
Initial Concerns and Blame
Soon after the RTX 4090 launched in October 2022, users began to voice complaints about overheating connectors. Nvidia initially pointed the finger at users, suggesting that improper seating of the connector could result in melting. However, this explanation didn’t sit well with many seasoned system builders. Ultimately, Nvidia encouraged the shift to the newer 12V-2×6 cables included with the more recent RTX 4090 cards. This change nearly eradicated instances of damaged GPUs, although older models with the previous connector were still available for sale.
Power Draw and System Stress
The earlier versions of the RTX 4090 came equipped with the 12VHPWR connector, capable of handling a 600-watt power draw. In contrast, the updated 12V-2×6 cables are designed to be more robust, featuring shorter and more efficient pins. The RTX 5090 requires 575 watts, an increase from the 450 watts of the previous generation Nvidia GPU, putting additional strain on power systems. Nevertheless, during the GeForce Update Editor’s Day in 2025, Nvidia expressed confidence that the 12V-2×6 connector would avert future issues.
Manufacturer Innovations
Not every manufacturer of the RTX 5090 is convinced that the standard 12V-2×6 design is sufficient. MSI has opted for yellow-tipped power adapters, which provide a clearer indication of a secure connection. With the new Nvidia GPU set to launch on January 30th, testers are currently pushing its performance limits. Should any issues arise due to the high power demands, it is hoped that potential buyers will be informed before making a purchase.
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Tags: NVIDIA, power connector issues, RTX 5090