June 22, 2025 – In a move echoing NVIDIA’s past regional restrictions, specifications for a significantly scaled-back variant of the upcoming flagship GeForce RTX 5090D—tentatively dubbed the RTX 5090DD—have surfaced via hardware leakers. The card appears tailored to comply with U.S. export controls targeting China, mirroring 2023’s RTX 4090D strategy.
Core Specs: A Deliberate Downgrade
According to renowned tipster @kopite7kimi, whose track record with NVIDIA leaks spans years, the RTX 5090DD will feature a ~10% reduction in CUDA cores versus the standard RTX 5090D, alongside lower TDP and clock speeds. The leak suggests NVIDIA will retain the same AD102 GPU die but enforce stricter power limits and core configurations to meet regulatory thresholds.
*"RTX 5090DD is not just a BIOS tweak—it’s a hardware-level adjustment. Expect 14,592 CUDA cores (vs. 16,128 in 5090D) and a 420W TDP. Performance will likely trail the non-DD variant by 15–20%."*
— @kopite7kimi
Design & Cooling Innovations
Meanwhile, leaker @Zed__Wang revealed that board partners like ZOTAC are already prototyping compact cooling solutions for the DD variant. These designs prioritize space efficiency and thermal headroom to offset the card’s constrained power envelope.
"ZOTAC’s 5090DD prototype uses a ‘Solid Core’ vapor chamber—half the weight of traditional coolers, with 20% better heat dissipation. This aligns with AIB efforts to maximize efficiency in a neutered flagship."
The "Solid Core" Revolution
ZOTAC’s cooling breakthrough, first teased in March, now takes center stage for constrained cards like the 5090DD. As detailed by GSMGoTech, the "Solid Core" design replaces copper heat pipes with a proprietary alloy lattice, slashing cooler size while boosting thermal transfer.
Embed: ZOTAC’s cooling tech deep-dive
"The innovation here isn’t just about cooling a weaker card—it’s about rethinking how we build GPUs under regulatory pressure. The 5090DD might be nerfed, but partner engineering is pushing boundaries."
— GSMGoTech analysis
Why the RTX 5090DD Matters
The RTX 5090DD underscores NVIDIA’s balancing act:
- Geopolitical Compliance: Adheres to U.S. restrictions on AI-capable hardware exports to China.
- Market Retention: Prevents a vacuum for Chinese gamers/professionals seeking flagship-tier (albeit limited) performance.
- Partner Adaptation: Board partners innovate to differentiate products despite NVIDIA’s imposed limitations.
Industry analysts speculate an October 2025 launch for the RTX 5090D series, with the DD variant likely exclusive to China and restricted markets. Pricing remains unconfirmed, though insiders suggest a minor discount versus the full-fat RTX 5090D.
Final Thoughts
While enthusiasts may lament the RTX 5090DD’s deliberate downgrade, its existence highlights NVIDIA’s commitment to retaining market share amid tightening trade policies. For now, the leaks paint a clear picture: performance ceilings are being redrawn, but ingenuity in design isn’t.
Stay tuned for updates as NVIDIA’s next-gen rollout approaches.
🔗 References
- @kopite7kimi’s RTX 5090DD spec leak
- @Zed__Wang on ZOTAC’s cooling prototype
- ZOTAC "Solid Core" tech breakdown (GSMGoTech)
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