The Nvidia RTX 5090 Founders Edition is a robust dual-fan GPU—slightly smaller yet more formidable than the RTX 4090.
Graphics cards don’t usually catch my eye. Compared to the sleek and low-profile components found in modern setups, most GPUs feel bulky and excessive—unless they come with bold case designs or pre-built desktops balancing power and aesthetics. However, the Nvidia RTX 5090 Founders Edition stands out. Its dark grey metal exterior exudes a menacing presence, like a brick-like beetle poised to attach to your PSU and dominate your PC setup.
Nvidia provided me with the RTX 5090 for review but, for now, I’m restricted from showcasing it powered on or installed in a desktop case. With that in mind, here are my initial impressions.
The RTX 5090 Founders Edition measures approximately 12 inches long, 5.3 inches wide, and 2 inches deep—comparable in length and width to the RTX 4090 Founders Edition, which also features a two-fan design. However, the RTX 5090 is notably shorter. While it’s a two-slot card, it’s worth noting that future OEM designs may not stick to these dimensions.
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The RTX 5090 Founders Edition is a hefty card, both in weight and presence. When I first unboxed it, the metal felt ice-cold from its time in a FedEx truck—so cold it was almost painful to touch. Even after reaching room temperature, the card retained its solid, chunky feel, with no wasted space in this densely packed slab of metal and silicon. It’s the kind of GPU that gives you pause when installing, knowing it will be supported only by a PCIe slot and a couple of screws. Extra support for the card feels less like an option and more like a necessity.
When compared to other cards on hand, such as the PNY RTX 4080 Super, Asus RTX 4080 Super, and MSI RTX 4070 Ti Super—all featuring three fans—the RTX 5090 seems more streamlined and self-contained. While it occupies fewer slots in your case, its weight and overhang outside the motherboard make it a prime candidate for additional bracing to ensure stability.
Nvidia assures users that the card’s upgraded cooling system is more than capable of keeping it under control during intense workloads. With an intake positioned below and exhaust vents above, the cooling design aligns with standard airflow setups, which typically move air from bottom to top. This should provide sufficient cooling in most cases, assuming your system’s airflow is optimized.
The weight and industrial design of the Founders Edition also contribute to its commanding aesthetic. The grey metallic finish gives it an intimidating presence, especially when compared to the RTX 4090’s silver accents. Shine a light into the GPU, and you can see the intricately placed heat pipes within. When powered on, the iconic GeForce RTX logo glows, adding a familiar touch to its otherwise bold appearance.
Nvidia has introduced a new packaging design for the Founders Edition, shipping it in a corrugated cardboard box shaped to reflect the footprint of the card. Inside, the GPU comes snugly secured without an anti-static bag or sleeve—a testament to the packaging’s precision fit. Alongside the card, the box includes a single, short 4x PCIe 5.0 adapter. Nvidia specifies that you’ll need either four PCIe 8-pin connectors hooked up to the adapter or a 600W PCIe Gen 5 cable to power this beast.
Speaking of power, the RTX 5090 demands a minimum of 1000W of system power. If you’ve been comfortably running an RTX 4080 Super with an 850W PSU, this upgrade will likely require you to rethink your setup. The 16-pin power connection has been reoriented to sit at an angle relative to the card, a potential benefit for smaller cases but potentially tricky for builds like my current Origin PC setup, where twisting the power cable into place could prove challenging.
On the I/O side, the card features three DisplayPort 2.1 ports and a single HDMI port, catering to high-performance display needs. Altogether, the RTX 5090 Founders Edition is a powerhouse in every sense, offering immense performance potential but requiring careful consideration for integration into your system.