Air-Cooled RTX 5090 with Shunt Mod Surges to Top Positions in 3DMark Benchmark Tests; Power Limit Enhancement Boosts Overclocker to World-Class Performance

In an impressive display of resourcefulness, an overclocker has demonstrated how shunt modding can elevate the performance of the RTX 5090 without the aid of liquid cooling. This innovative technique not only enhances power delivery but also pushes the GPU to achieve remarkable benchmark scores.

Overclocking Breakthrough: Unlocking 1200W TDP on the RTX 5090 with 1MOhm Shunt Resistors

In the world of graphics processing units (GPUs), shunt modding has emerged as a popular method for boosting power limits. This strategy can result in performance increases of up to 20%, particularly when coupled with efficient cooling solutions. Generally, this technique requires sophisticated liquid cooling systems, but one Redditor, u/thatavidreaderture, has proven otherwise with the stock cooler of his GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 5090 Aorus Master ICE.

Close-up view of computer circuit board components, highlighting specific electronic parts. — Upgrading shunt resistors can significantly enhance GPU power delivery; Image Credit: Reddit

By replacing the standard 2MOhm resistors with 1MOhm shunt resistors, the power ceiling of this GPU was effectively doubled. Originally, the RTX 5090’s maximum power consumption hit nearly 600W under full load. With the shunt modding, however, the GPU was able to handle an astonishing 1200W.

Circuit board with thermal paste applied for cooling. — Thermal repasting enhances heat dissipation for superior performance; Image Credit: Reddit

In addition to the shunt mod, the user performed a GPU repaste using PTM 7950 and Upsiren UX Ultra thermal putty—far superior to the stock thermal paste. This setup allowed the RTX 5090 to pull around 820W of power at peak performance while achieving a clock speed of 3.2 GHz at a stable temperature of approximately 79 degrees Celsius. Remarkably, this configuration propelled the user to the ninth position in the 3DMark Speedway rankings, scoring an impressive 16, 559 points. Moreover, the GPU secured the 11th spot in Steel Nomad with 17, 125 points, and the 15th position in Port Royal with 43, 378 points.

3DMark Port Royal benchmark results with NVIDIA RTX 5090 showing performance graphs and scores. — Performance results of the shunt modded RTX 5090 in 3DMark benchmarks; Image Credit: Reddit

Astoundingly, this user stands as the sole air-cooled RTX 5090 holder within the upper echelons of these performance charts, a testament to the capabilities of high-quality AIB coolers. The shunt mod also allowed the GPU to exceed a clock speed of 3.2 GHz while operating at approximately 1.060 volts, a far cry from the reference design’s boost clock of 2.4 GHz. While this achievement highlights a viable path for performance enhancement, it’s essential to consider the potential warranty voiding that accompanies such modifications.

For further details, you can refer to the original discussion on [Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/nvidia/comments/1misc3t/shunt_modded_9950x3d5090_results_with_air_cooling/).

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