NVIDIA’s latest endeavor with the GeForce RTX 5090 promises an impressive jump in die size compared to what we saw with the RTX 4090. The flagship GPU of the upcoming "Blackwell" series is expected to bring significant improvements, harnessing TSMC’s advanced 5nm technology.
The RTX 5090’s brain will be the GB202 chip, measuring a substantial 24x31mm, which translates to a remarkable 744 mm². Alongside this, the package size will be notably larger at 63x65mm or approximately 4095mm². To put that in perspective, the RTX 4090’s AD102 chip came in smaller at 609 mm² for the die and 2601mm² for the packaging. This new design represents a 22% increase in die size and a whopping 57% uptick in packaging space.
However, it’s important to note that a larger die doesn’t automatically mean increased power consumption or heat generation. It’s still smaller than NVIDIA’s initial ray-tracing GPU, the 754 mm² Turing TU102. Since that groundbreaking release, NVIDIA has consistently refined their chip designs, optimizing for performance and efficiency with each new process node.
Diving into specifics, the top-of-the-line RTX 5090 will feature the PG144/145-SKU30 PCB and the GB202-300-A1 GPU core. It’ll pack 170 SMs out of a potential 192, with a hefty 21,760 cores—about an 11.4% reduction compared to what’s theoretically possible, resembling the core reduction seen in the RTX 4090’s lineup.
In terms of memory, the RTX 5090 is no slouch, equipped with a massive 32 GB of GDDR7 VRAM across a 512-bit interface. It’s designed for 28 Gbps speed, delivering a considerable 1792 GB/s bandwidth. Enhanced L3 caching and cutting-edge memory compression techniques are set to further elevate its performance. With a 600W TBP rating, it’s crafted for power and efficiency, though actual usage is likely below this rating, akin to past launches. Expect to see a sleek 2-slot cooler for the Founders Edition.
Fans can look forward to an official unveiling at CES 2025, so keep your eyes peeled for more juicy details as we edge closer to the launch. NVIDIA’s new cards are shaping up to offer a potent mix of performance and cutting-edge technology.
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series Specifications (Projected):
Here’s a snapshot of the expected specs for the upcoming 50 series:
| Graphics Card: | GPU: | SMs: | Cores: | Memory Capacity: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RTX 5090 | Blackwell GB202-300 | 170/192 | 21,760 | 32 GB GDDR7 |
| RTX 5080 | Blackwell GB203-400 | 84/84 | 10,752 | 16 GB GDDR7 |
| RTX 5070 | Blackwell GB205 | TBD | TBD | 12 GB GDDR7 |
| RTX 5060 | Blackwell GB206? | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Other Key Specifications:
- Memory Bus: 512-bit for RTX 5090, stepping down across the series
- Bandwidth: Starting at 1792 GB/s for the 5090
- TBP: 600W for the 5090, reducing through the lineup
Which new GPU are you most excited about? Join the conversation on social media and let your gaming buddies in on the upcoming tech! Don’t forget to share your thoughts and stay tuned for more updates as we approach CES 2025.
