Size Comparison: NVIDIA RTX 5090 vs. 4090 Founders Edition

After what feels like an eternity of rumors and jokes—mostly about NVIDIA’s new graphics cards needing cooling systems the size of an AC unit—we finally have some concrete details about the RTX 5090. Contrary to everyone’s wild imagination, this latest flagship in the GeForce lineup is more compact than you might have expected, trimming down to just two slots in width. That’s about half the bulk compared to its RTX 4090 predecessor, while still holding onto that familiar edge-to-edge design.

The most striking change has to be the new “Double Flow Through” cooling system from NVIDIA, featuring dual fans on the same side of the card. The iconic heatsink fin pattern is still present, though it’s been refined, and the branding has been minimized. You’ll find the modest ‘RTX 5090’ logo subtly positioned on the card’s reverse.

My curiosity piques about how this streamlined design might impact cooling, especially given the beefed-up internals we’re yet to explore—thanks to a restrictive non-disclosure agreement. While I need to bite my tongue on performance insights for now, the RTX 5090’s fresh look, complete with its sleek metallic finish, is already winning me over.

Shedding some weight, this card is 16.51% lighter compared to the prior RTX 40 Series heavyweight. Weighing in at 1.82 kg (about 4.01 lbs), you might still need a sag mount for your PC case to protect your motherboard’s PCIe slot, but at least the power connection is smarter. The 600W power cable now angles nicely, potentially saving it from harsh bends and damage.

### RTX 5090 vs. RTX 4090: Side-by-Side Showdown

Putting the RTX 5090 FE next to the RTX 4090 FE makes the enhancements obvious. While it holds its own in aesthetics, the two-slot design of the RTX 5090 FE stands out starkly against its older sibling. The power connectors now sit at an angle, and there’s a noticeable switch-up with the video-out ports located on the rear mounting bracket. Also, you’ll spot a big drop in ventilation space alongside the DisplayPort and HDMI openings.

But we can’t ignore two major subjects when discussing the RTX 5090: its “price tag” and “power draw.” Unboxing it reveals a substantial PCIe adapter that calls for a robust four-way connection with the industry’s top power supply units. My trusty 450W cable from the previous generation just isn’t enough for this powerhouse. I’ll have to dig deeper into my cable stash to meet the 600W requirement.

NVIDIA instead leans fully into eco-friendly packaging, in a move reminiscent of Apple’s approach. Everything is cardboard and paper, which I commend, though I have to admit I’ll miss having another anti-static bag for my GPU collection. Given the sustainability awards handed out at CES 2025, it’s clear NVIDIA is marching in step with current green trends.

I could dive into speculative performance details, but I’d rather leave you eagerly anticipating the official reveal. In the meantime, I’ve become quite fond of the GeForce RTX 50 Series design. However, I’m slightly worried about my impending electric bill. Whether it’s truly time for me to part ways with my trusty RTX 3060 12GB daily driver is still up in the air, but I admit the allure of this sleek model is drawing me away from the sometimes less appealing third-party versions.