RTX 5090D V2 has quietly debuted—with 25% less VRAM and bandwidth yet the same steep price. Chinese consumers face a stripped-down flagship that sparks frustration. For many buyers, the new card is a controversial release that mixes high-end gaming power with noticeable compromises for AI and creation work.
What’s Changed Under the Hood?
Nvidia’s latest model delivers the familiar Blackwell-based GB202 GPU, complete with 21,760 CUDA cores, 680 Tensor Cores, and a 575 W thermal envelope—but the memory subsystem sees significant downgrades compared to the full-fat versions.
VRAM has been cut from 32 GB GDDR7 down to 24 GB, paired with a reduced 384-bit memory bus (down from 512-bit), slashing bandwidth from 1,792 GB/s to 1,344 GB/s. These changes are achieved by disabling four of the 16 memory channels, which is visible on some boards as empty memory pad positions on the PCB.
Why China-Exclusive?
This GPU variant is clearly tailored to comply with U.S. export restrictions limiting AI-capable hardware shipped to China. The AI throughput, already limited in the earlier “5090D” model, remains capped at around 2,375 AI TOPS (versus 3,352 AI TOPS on the full RTX 5090), further constraining AI performance. For Chinese gamers, the RTX 5090D V2 represents both opportunity and compromise.
Gaming: Virtually the Same, with Caveats
Despite its reduced memory spec, early benchmarks from Chinese outlets show gaming performance only trails by ~2%—a negligible difference in most titles. For example, Cyberpunk 2077 at 1440p ran at 424 FPS on the 5090D vs. 418 FPS on the V2. 4K results offer similarly tight margins, meaning that for gaming, the RTX 5090D V2 largely holds its ground in real-world play.
Productivity and AI: Where It Suffers
Productivity applications and AI benchmarks tell a different story. In Blender, performance drops by up to 19% across various scenes; in AI-specific tests like Llama, there’s roughly a 10% penalty. The DLSS-driven gaming numbers hold up, but creators and developers will feel the cut. For heavy rendering or local LLM workloads, this graphics card is measurably behind the full RTX 5090.
Price—and Perception
Perhaps most aggravating for buyers: the RTX 5090D V2 carries the same MSRP of $2,299 (¥16,499) as its predecessor, despite offering reduced performance in memory-sensitive tasks. In a market where MSRPs are often exceeded, paying the same for less fuels negative sentiment around a “compromised flagship.”
What Does It Mean for Consumers?
If you’re purely into 4K gaming, the V2 model is a solid alternative that performs almost as well and is currently available at MSRP with broad third-party stock—unlike earlier scarcity for the 5090D. But for AI workloads, rendering, or productivity, the cut in VRAM and bandwidth can’t be ignored. The RTX 5090D V2 is a sensible pick for gamers, but a cautious one for professionals.
How to Make the Most of RTX 5090D V2
Optimize your setup to play to strengths. Focus on gaming first—benchmark your key titles to verify whether the ~2% gap matters at your settings. Avoid the V2 for AI training or memory-heavy creative projects; consider the full 5090 if regulations and availability allow. Keep an eye on retailer programs and memberships that can bring small price breaks on the RTX 5090D V2.
Global Context and Market Impact
The arrival of Nvidia’s downgraded flagship highlights how geopolitics directly shape technology markets. The move is not only a technical compromise but a sign of how semiconductor companies must navigate regulatory landscapes. The decision pressures AMD and local GPU vendors to court users who need AI-friendlier specs. Enthusiasts also note a hidden cost in future-proofing: less VRAM and bandwidth may age faster as software demands climb.
For Nvidia, the RTX 5090D V2 is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it maintains market presence in China; on the other, the “restricted flagship” narrative could erode brand perception and push some buyers to alternatives. It’s a case study in how policy can bend product design—without fully breaking gaming performance.
For more updates on the latest developments in GPUs and AI hardware, check our Tech section.
Conclusion
The RTX 5090D V2 walks a careful line: enough muscle to satisfy high-end gamers, but weakened for AI and productivity to meet regulatory limits. At the same cost as its more capable cousin, it’s bound to spark debate. Bottom line: strong value for 4K gamers, but a compromised choice for creators and AI developers who depend on memory capacity and bandwidth.
Source: Tom’s Hardware, PCGuide
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