A First Look at Nvidia's RTX 5090 vs RTX 4090: Design and Features

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090: Overview and Unboxing

The highly anticipated Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 Founders Edition graphics card is set to launch later this month, and we’ve had the privilege of unboxing one to closely examine its design compared to its predecessor, the RTX 4090. Please note that this is a preliminary look, and comprehensive performance analysis and benchmarks will follow in our detailed review.

Redesigned Packaging

The RTX 5090 comes in a completely revamped packaging compared to the RTX 40-series Founders Edition. Encased in a smaller, bone-shaped gray cardboard shell, it sits within a larger brown box. This outer packaging features the slogan, “Inspired by gamers. Enhanced by AI. Built by Nvidia.”

Updated Power Adapter

Inside the box, Nvidia includes a new power adapter specifically for the RTX 5090, which incorporates an updated version of the traditional 12VHPWR connector. Users will require either four standard PCIe eight-pin power connectors or a new 12V-2x6 cable to power the graphics card. Fortunately, existing 12VHPWR cables will remain compatible.

Dimensions and Design Changes

While the RTX 5090 maintains the same length and width as the RTX 4090, it has been streamlined into a two-slot design, making it significantly slimmer than the bulky three-slot RTX 4090. This transition is impressive considering the powerful capabilities of the hardware.

Innovative Cooling System

Nvidia has reimagined the cooling system of the RTX 5090, featuring dual flow-through fans that intake cooler air from below while exhausting heat out the top. Unlike the previous models, the RTX 5090 opts out of a rear exhaust system — substituting this with two small side slots to manage airflow efficiently and reduce the chance of warm air recirculating.

Layout and Functionality

The PCB of the RTX 5090 is now centrally located, surrounded by substantial heat pipes to direct cooling effectively. This design allows Nvidia to certify the RTX 5090 for small form factor builds, ensuring compatibility with a broader range of enclosures.

Power Connector Adjustment

Nvidia has also ingeniously angled the power connector to ease installation, particularly in cases where space is tight.

Rear Ports and Port Orientation

At the rear of the card, users will find three DisplayPort 2.1b ports and one HDMI 2.1b port. A noteworthy alteration is the upside-down orientation of the ports, which may require adjustments during setup, particularly for those with neat cable management in tight spaces.

Aesthetic Updates

The RTX 5090 features LED lights that illuminate from the top and side, and the metal housing has been redesigned with a darker gray tone — creating a sophisticated appearance that strikes a balance between the previous editions.

Community Insights and Future Reviews

Currently, we cannot share images of the RTX 5090 within a PC or powered on, but tech enthusiast Jayztwocents had "special permission" to showcase a small form factor build featuring the RTX 5090. Stay tuned for our upcoming full review, where we’ll compare the RTX 5090 to the RTX 4090, diving deeper into performance metrics.