I could make a solid debate for calling the RTX 5090 one of thebest graphics cardsbased on looks alone . Nvidia has seriously stepped - up its excogitation plot over the past smattering of generations , but the latest two - expansion slot flagship might be the most arresting design Nvidia has make to date .

It ’s an almost perfect wedding of form and social occasion , all executed to near perfection rather than whip a chunky cooler on the PCB and telephone it a day . It ’s onlynearperfect , though . For as gorgeous as the RTX 5090 Founder ’s Edition is , it has one annoying change that ’s made it a pain in the neck to integrate into my PC .

This is just a first look at the design of the RTX 5090 . If you desire to see how the card performs — and if you should buy it — make certain to register my fullRTX 5090 review .

One little problem

There it is — the notorious 16 - pin power connective that Nvidia has championed since its RTX 30 - series GPUs . Here , on the RTX 5090 , you may see the trouble . The connection is angled . mayhap you see that as a proficient matter . After all , cable television service volume was a problem on RTX 40 - series GPUs , and it ’s knockout to forget aboutmelting RTX 4090 connecter .

The unexampled angled connector is a bit more elegant , plow up a turn of the chunky 16 - pin connecter and slant the overseas telegram out and off from the GPU . It surely helps with Nvidia ’s new 16 - flag to 4×8 - pin cable system that ’s included with the Founder ’s Edition model , which now includes a lightweight braid to leave the cable length malleable .

So , why am I complaining ? With all RTX 40 - series GPUs , not just the Founder ’s Edition , you incur a straight 16 - tholepin connector . With the previous generation , Nvidia used an angled 12 - flag connector on the RTX 3090 Founder ’s Edition , though third parties were spare to modify the arrangement if they want . As Nvidia has come PC gamers on - circuit board with a new power connecter , they ’ve had to adapt their builds consequently . And now , work back to an angled connector , that work is undone .

Let me furnish an model . Iuse a Fractal Terra slip . It ’s a small flesh factor , mini - ITX PC , and considering the RTX 5090 Founder ’s Edition is license with Nvidia ’s humble conformation agent program , it seemed like a equal made in heaven . But there ’s the power connector to contend with .

Given that theRTX 4090had a flat connective , I specifically corrupt an SFX power supply with a right - angled 16 - pin connector . That cable no longer works ; the recessed , angled porthole on the RTX 5090 Founder ’s Edition block the cable’s length from to the full connect . And in a small form factor ramp up like this , I do n’t have elbow room for four 8 - pin connecter and an arranger .

My story is n’t exactly unique , either . Given the flat connector on the RTX 4090 , and the risk of potentially burn up the GPU , a small industry of correct - slant 16 - rowlock connectors sprung up . You had arranger from CableMod , too many unbranded cables on Amazon to count , and PSU brands like Cooler Master angling toward a veracious - angle hereafter .

It ’s not the destruction of the macrocosm . 16 - rowlock connectors should be universal — pleasecheck your PSU before plugging anything in , though — and the worst thing that happens is that you need a new cable . It ’s just a shame that so many product were launch to combat a uncollectible figure , and now that Nvidia has fix the design , those products are n’t needed . If nothing else , Nvidia says that thenew power connector wo n’t burn up .

Still a stunner

Thankfully , that ’s my only criticism of the RTX 5090 externally . The graphics card is a savage , but it ’s clearly a tame one . At only two slots , it ’s shocking how sparse the card is compare to the RTX 4090 and RTX 4080 , specially considering the power Nvidia claim the GPU has .

It ’s somewhat of an technology wonder , which became abundantly clear with the breakdown Nvidia late did with Gamer ’s link . The RTX 5090 is split into three separate PCBs , each relate with a thread cable , for bring home the bacon clear airflow through both sides of the nontextual matter circuit card .

It does n’t really seem like a big founding until you stop to think about atmosphere typically move through a GPU . It ’s forced out of the incline or the back , or peradventure the heat sump if just big enough that you hope the heat works its direction out . Nvidia is doing a true catamenia - through intention here ; the fans bring cool melody in and pass them over a heatsink , and that atmosphere can flow out of the back without any restrictions .

This design , presumptively , is a big reason why Nvidia was able to shrink the size of the RTX 5090 . I ca n’t share any performance detail yet , but the fact that Nvidia go with a two - slot innovation on a GPU that ’s rated to eviscerate up to 575 watts speak volume on its own .

Although the exterior of the card looks largely unchanged , Nvidia did make some subtle adjustment . For instance , the edge of the card are now curved in , while on previous Founder ’s Edition design , they were burst out out . It ’s a pocket-sized variety , but it gain the RTX 5090 feel more manageable compared to the strict rectangle previous Founder ’s Edition invention maintain .