German Retailer Lists ZOTAC RTX 5090 GPU with 168 ROPs for $3136, Page Subsequently Removed

The elusive ROP RTX 5090 GPUs continue to circulate in the market, but now buyers can clearly see the ROP count associated with them.

Alternate Lists 168 ROP RTX 5090 for €2, 899: GPU Details and Market Implications

In light of NVIDIA’s recent production of several ‘nerfed’ RTX 50 series GPUs—exhibiting lower than expected ROP counts—it’s no surprise that sellers are eager to offload these units. Although NVIDIA asserts that less than one percent of these modified cards exist, thousands may still be on the market, creating a challenging situation for consumers seeking high-performance options.

Determining which GPUs feature reduced ROP counts has proven to be quite difficult. Reports first surfaced over a month ago regarding the ZOTAC RTX 5090, which revealed a count of only 168 ROPs instead of the standard 176. Following this, additional findings suggested that the RTX 5080 and RTX 5070 Ti also faced similar issues. Recently, the ZOTAC GeForce RTX 5090 SOLID OC, which was noted as the initial suspect, was spotted at a German retailer.

ZOTAC RTX 5090 SOLID OC 168 ROPs Alternate — Image Credit: videocardz.com

The retailer “Alternate”temporarily listed the ZOTAC GeForce RTX 5090 SOLID OC, but removed the page shortly thereafter.Videocardz managed to capture a screenshot of the now-removed listing, which disclosed the reduced ROP count. Notably, the listing was marked as B-Stock, specifying that this edition would only feature 168 ROPs.

The GPU’s price tag stood at €2, 899, approximately US$3, 136 with VAT included. When excluding VAT, the price drops to around US$2, 613, still representing a staggering $600 increase over the base MSRP of the card. Given that the fully specified RTX 5090 with 176 ROPs already retails above $2600, the value for this downgraded version looks particularly unfavorable, especially considering its anticipated performance drop.

A new product page for the same GPU edition is currently visible, but it omits the crucial ROP information. This absence raises questions about whether the previous 168 ROP edition has sold out or if it was removed for other reasons. Interestingly, the standard 176 ROP card is still listed for the same price, which could further complicate consumer decision-making.

It is important to recognize that the absence of ROPs can significantly impact GPU performance. Historical data reveals that these affected GPUs could underperform by as much as 4-5% in certain games, with discrepancies reaching up to 11% in others. As buyers navigate these murky waters, awareness of such details is essential for making informed purchasing decisions.

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