Leaked NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Prototype: Full GB202 GPU, Dual 16-Pin Connectors, 24,000 Cores, 32 GB Memory & 32 Gbps Speed

NVIDIA appears to be making strides in its next-generation graphics cards, as a prototype of the GeForce RTX 5090 has been uncovered. This new iteration reportedly showcases the impressive full GB202 GPU, boasting an astonishing count of over 24,000 cores.

Unveiling the GeForce RTX 5090: A Glimpse into the Future of Gaming GPUs

Known for their innovative hardware, NVIDIA has a history of developing several prototypes ahead of official releases, as evidenced in previous generations. The recent RTX 4090 prototypes, for example, introduced unique PCB and cooling designs. However, it is essential to note that these prototypes are primarily intended for internal testing and rarely make it to market, as was the case with the anticipated RTX 4090 Ti and Titan Ada models, which never launched despite their existence.

As we await the RTX 5090’s official debut, a prototype PCB has surfaced in the hands of a Chiphell Forum member. This PCB follows a standard design, diverging from the more compact variant earmarked for the Founders Edition of the RTX 5090. Instead, it seems to represent a potential AIB (Add-In Board) variant of a graphics card yet to be confirmed or announced.

Diving into the details, the GB202-200-A1 GPU featured in this prototype showcases remarkable specifications. Unlike the RTX 5090, which operates on a slightly reduced GB202-300-A1 GPU with 21,760 cores, the prototype includes a robust configuration with a total of 24,576 cores—an impressive 13% increase in core count. This advanced chip was produced in the 29th week of 2024.

Surrounding the powerful Blackwell GPU are 16 GDDR7 memory dies, collectively offering 32 GB of memory capacity, with each die reportedly capable of 32 Gbps transfer speeds. NVIDIA has confirmed that the entire RTX 50 series will utilize GDDR7 memory modules from various manufacturers, with Samsung being the first on their list.

The prototype also reveals heightened clock speeds, boasting a base rate of 2100 MHz and a boost clock up to 2514 MHz. In comparison, the RTX 5090 officially clocks at 2017 MHz base and 2407 MHz boost. With this enhanced GPU and memory configuration, the power requirements have surged, with the card now demanding dual 16-pin connectors and an overall rating of 800W TBP, significantly higher than the 575W TBP of the RTX 5090.

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Prototype Front — Image Source: NVIDIA

Although the Forum member was unable to test the prototype due to a lack of compatible drivers, there’s uncertainty about whether this specific card will function with future drivers intended for the RTX 5090.

The potential performance boost of the Blackwell GPU could be staggering, possibly nearing a 50% increase compared to the RTX 4090. With the standard RTX 5090 projected to deliver approximately 30% more performance than the RTX 4090 in non-DLSS gaming scenarios, there’s considerable excitement surrounding these developments. However, delays in a potential release could stem from challenges like pricing and the engineering demands needed to support the card’s 800W power capacity. A robust cooling solution, possibly a 3-slot RTX 50 Founders Edition cooler, may also be necessary to keep thermal levels in check.

Specifications Overview

Specifications	GeForce RTX 5090 Ti?	GeForce RTX 5090	GeForce RTX 4090
Architecture	Blackwell	Blackwell	Ada Lovelace
Process Node	4NP (TSMC’s 5nm)	4NP (TSMC’s 5nm)	4N (TSMC’s 5nm)
GPU	Blackwell GB202-200	Blackwell GB202-300	Ada Lovelace AD102-300
CUDA Cores	24,576	21,760	16,384
Streaming Multiprocessors (SM)	192	170	128
Tensor Cores	768	680	512
RT Cores	192	170	128
Clock Speed (Base/Boost)	2100 / 2514 MHz	2017 / 2407 MHz	2235 / 2520 MHz
VRAM Size and Type	32 GB GDDR7	32 GB GDDR7	24 GB GDDR6X
Memory Speed	32 Gbps	28 Gbps	21 Gbps
Memory Bus Width	512-bit	512-bit	384-bit
Memory Bandwidth	2048GB/s	1792 GB/s	1008 GB/s
Total Board Power (TBP)	800W	575W	450W
Power Connector	2x 12V-2×6 (16-pin)	1x 12V-2×6 (16-pin)	1x 12VHPWR (16-pin)
Price	–	$1999	$1599
Release Date	Unreleased	January 2025	October 2022