Nvidia’s next-generation GeForce RTX 50 “Blackwell” GPUs are on the horizon, and a recent leak by Kopite7kimi sheds light on what to expect. The leaker highlights 5 potential SKUs in a recent Tweet, with 2 seemingly offering a downgrade over their RTX 40-series counterpart – not what we expected.
Here’s a breakdown of the leaked configurations for the new GPUs, which promises changes to core count, performance, memory interface, and cooling to name a few. Let’s dive in.
Core counts and performance boost
The leak suggests significant core count increases for most RTX 50 models compared to their RTX 40 counterparts. The flagship RTX 5090’s GB202 GPU boasts a whopping 24,576 cores, a 33% increase over the RTX 4090’s AD102. Even the mid-range RTX 5070, which will likely be powered by GB205, sees a core count of 6,400, slightly exceeding the RTX 4070’s 7,680. However, the entry-level RTX 5060 might see a core count decrease compared to the RTX 4060.
Top 5 Cyber Monday deals
This year's Cyber Monday has officially kickstarted, offering up huge discounts on some of the market's leading tech products. Below, we'll list the best Cyber Monday deals we can find.
- Samsung Odyssey G9 OLED Curved gaming monitor - WAS $1,599.99 NOW $949.99 Save - $350
- LG C3 Series 65-Inch Class OLED - WAS $1,499.99 NOW $1,196.99 Save - $70
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X 6-Core - WAS $299.99 NOW $186.97 Save - $330
- Beats Stuydio Buds - WAS $178 NOW $99 Save - $300
- Bose QuietComfort Bluetooth 5.1 Headphones - WAS $349 NOW $199 Save - $150
Prices and savings subject to change. Click through to get the current deal prices.
Memory interface and GDDR7
The leak also reveals memory interface details. The high-end RTX 5090 will likely sport a versatile 512-bit memory bus,while the RTX 5080 utilizes a 256-bit bus. Lower-tier models like the RTX 5070 and RTX 5060 are expected to come with 192-bit and 128-bit interfaces, respectively. A significant upgrade is the adoption of GDDR7 memory across most of the RTX 50 lineup. This new standard promises faster speeds and potentially higher bandwidth compared to the GDDR6 memory used in the current RTX 40 series. The entry-level RTX 5060 might be the exception, sticking with GDDR6.
Launch window
While Nvidia hasn’t confirmed an official release date, the leak suggests a late 2024 or early 2025 launch window. The RTX 5080 might be the first to hit retail shelves, followed by the flagship RTX 5090. Interestingly, recent talks with manufacturers hint at the possibility of a launch delay pushing the lineup to early 2025.
Additional leak information
The leak also mentions that Nvidia is exploring various cooling solutions for the RTX 50 series. The high-powered RTX 5090 might utilize a dual-slot, dual-fan design to handle the heat generated by its impressive core count. Also touched upon is the upcoming laptop RTX 50 series. These mobile GPUs are expected to boast at least six SKUs with up to 16GB of GDDR7 memory. Their launch is anticipated for early 2025, likely alongside the next-generation Arrow Lake-HX and Fire Range-HX laptop processors.
Overall, the leaked information paints a picture of a powerful and exciting upgrade for gamers. With increased core counts, a new memory standard, and potential performance improvements, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 50 “Blackwell” lineup is shaping up to be a worthy successor to the current RTX 40 series.
