NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Experiences 5% Performance Decline with 3x 8-Pin Power Connections

For those who have recently acquired NVIDIA’s RTX 5090 graphics cards, it’s critical to pay attention to the type of power cables in use. The use of inappropriate connectors can result in significant performance reductions, an aspect that all users should consider.

Importance of Proper Power Adapters for NVIDIA RTX 5090 Users

This article aims to highlight essential considerations for NVIDIA’s RTX Blackwell series, particularly focusing on the necessity of using the correct power adapter. Recent testing conducted by ComputerBase has revealed that performance can suffer substantially if users operate their RTX 5090 with suboptimal power configurations. Specifically, performance tests show that using 100W less power leads to approximately a 5% drop in rasterized performance.

RTX 5090 Performance Testing — Image Credits: ComputerBase

The tests focused on configurations with various Thermal Design Powers (TDP): 575W, 450W, and 400W. It became clear that power limitations were detrimental to overall performance, a conclusion that aligns with general expectations. Notably, while the RTX 5090 can operate with a three-pin connection, functionality diminishes significantly with only two 8-pin connectors, making a 300W operation unfeasible.

Equipped with four 8-pin power connectors, the NVIDIA RTX 5090 has the potential to draw a substantial 600W of power, a requirement particularly relevant for more demanding variants such as the ROG Astral GeForce RTX 5090. NVIDIA’s approach to allowing operation at 450W is a strategic move, as it ensures that users with insufficient power supplies will not encounter complete non-functionality, although performance will inevitably be impacted.

As NVIDIA’s latest Blackwell GPUs are being released into the market, various reports are anticipated, including potential issues leading to GPU failures, possibly linked to malfunctions in BIOS, drivers, or PCIe connections. It is paramount for users to maintain optimal operating conditions to prevent complications, especially following the previous 12VHPWR incident that raised concerns about power supply reliability.

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