Hands-On Review of NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 GPU: Compact PCB with Impressive Performance

At CES 2025, we had the opportunity to closely examine several models of NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 50 GPU series, featuring the RTX 5090 and its remarkably compact PCB design.

Exploring NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 50 GPUs and the Impressive RTX 5090

Diving into the latest advancements unveiled by NVIDIA, the GeForce RTX 50 series includes the RTX 5090, alongside the RTX 5080, RTX 5070 Ti, and RTX 5070. Among these new offerings, the RTX 5090 stands out as the flagship model, boasting unparalleled speed and innovative engineering enhancements.

Hands-On with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 GPU

Revamped Founders Edition: Sleek and Efficient

Unlike its predecessors in the RTX 30 and 40 series, which employed a bulky triple-slot and dual axial fan configuration, NVIDIA’s latest Founders Edition adopts a more streamlined design, featuring a dual-slot cooler with two efficient flow-through fans. This new form factor not only enhances aesthetics but also improves compatibility with a wider range of PC builds, reducing the spatial footprint required.

For dimensions, while the higher-end models like the RTX 5090 and 5080 maintain consistent lengths of 304mm and widths of 137mm, the RTX 5070 sees a compact reduction to 242mm in length and 112mm in width, still adhering to the dual-slot design. This is a slight decrease compared to the RTX 4070’s 244mm.

It is noteworthy that, aside from the RTX 5070 Ti, all cards will be released in Founders Edition variants, with custom models featuring up to five fans anticipated to launch soon.

Enhanced Power Delivery and Connector Design

Another significant improvement lies in the design of the power connector. All cards utilize a 16-pin (12V-2×6) connector, which mitigates thermal risks associated with the previous generation connectors that resulted in notable issues with the RTX 4090 series. This new angled placement allows for greater clearance, minimizing stress on the connector connections.

The visual design of the RTX 50 Founders Edition draws heavily from its RTX 30 and 40 predecessors. They present an updated appearance while maintaining familiar aesthetics, featuring a dual-fan system that promotes airflow through the heatsink, strategic exhaust vents, and RGB lighting accents for a modern look.

A Look at the Compact PCB Engineering

One of the standout features of the GeForce RTX 50 series is its engineering marvel—the ultra-compact PCB. NVIDIA engineers have crafted a PCB that rivals the design of AMD’s RX Nano, known for its small footprint, while accommodating robust GPU technology.

The PCB includes critical components such as the GPU, VRAM, and memory chips, with the layout standardized across the RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 models. Specifically for the RTX 5090, it incorporates the powerful GB202 GPU, which was produced in the 38th week of 2024, flanked by 16 GDDR7 memory chips.

The robust power management for the RTX 5090 is particularly impressive, featuring a “30 phases”power delivery system complemented by the angled power connector on the main PCB.

On the rear side of the PCB, additional electrical components are visible, confirming the model version as “PG144A”. The modular design is evident as there are separate connectors for the PCIe interface and display output, all linked through minuscule connectors, enhancing the compact nature of the PCB.

In summary, the Founders Edition RTX 5090 features a dual-slot cooling solution, utilizing a double flow-through design with compact dimensions of 304mm in length and 137mm in height. This model is poised to utilize liquid thermal interface material and a pioneering triple-layer PCB. Anticipate further updates regarding its internal cooling solutions in the near future.

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