Nvidia's RTX 5090D gets blower-style cooler: AI's gain, gamer's pain?
Shenzhen, Friday, 18 April 2025.
Reports indicate that NVIDIA’s RTX 5090D, powered by the Blackwell GPU, now features a blower-style cooler. This design is not aimed at gamers. Instead, these cards are intended for AI servers, where demand is currently high. These cards feature a GB202 GPU, 32 GB of GDDR7 memory, and a PCIe 5.0 x16 interface. The shift could lead to increased competition and potentially, scams involving RTX 5090 cards.
Nvidia targets AI market
The strategic shift towards AI servers could significantly bolster NVIDIA’s revenue streams [1]. The dual-slot, blower-style design is specifically tailored for AI server clusters, which require efficient cooling in dense configurations [1]. This move allows NVIDIA to capitalize on the escalating demand for AI computing power, especially in China, where customers seek more affordable options [1]. By repurposing RTX 5090 cards for AI, NVIDIA can address a broader market segment and potentially increase its market share in the rapidly expanding AI sector [1].
Competitive landscape
NVIDIA’s focus on AI could intensify competition, particularly with companies specializing in purchasing gaming cards and adapting them for AI applications [1]. This adaptation involves transferring GB202 GPUs from RTX 5090 cards to customized boards optimized for server environments [1]. While this provides more affordable AI solutions, it also creates a parallel market that may impact the availability and pricing of high-end gaming GPUs [1]. AMD is planning to release the RX 9060 XT series, which may increase competition [3].
Potential risks and scams
The increased demand and adaptation of RTX 5090 cards for AI servers also introduces the risk of scams [1]. Unscrupulous actors may remove GPUs and memory from RTX 5090 cards and sell them as fully functional units, preying on unsuspecting buyers [1]. This issue has occurred in previous generations, and consumers need to be vigilant when purchasing RTX 5090 cards from unofficial sources [1]. This situation could damage NVIDIA’s brand reputation if widespread fraud occurs [alert! ‘potential for reputational damage’] [1].
Nvidia’s ai integration
NVIDIA technology is being used in AI applications within the film industry, demonstrating the versatility and demand for their products. The film The Wandering Earth 3 utilizes an AI application named WEi, which is accelerated by the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 D [8]. WEi leverages the DeepSeek R1 large language model and integrates diverse knowledge resources to aid the film crew in production, showcasing a practical application of AI in creative processes [8]. This highlights NVIDIA’s growing influence beyond traditional gaming and data centers [8].