Leaks suggest the RTX 5090 will have 32GB of VRAM, but it's the RTX 5080 I'm worried about

New RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 specs have just leaked, and Nvidia’s potential next-best graphics card contenders are a bit of a mystery. While I don’t find the flagship GPU with 32GB of VRAM that surprising, I’m having a hard time dealing with the RTX 5080 with 16GB.

Graphics cards have more to offer than just memory, but if this generation has proven anything, lower VRAM can have consequences. It seems like only yesterday when, in response to the backlash, Nvidia unannounced its 12GB 4080 card, leaving only the original RTX 4080. In fact, even the 16GB model’s reputation fell into dispute and only recovered slightly thanks to the GeForce RTX 4080 Super.

With this in mind, I find it a bit strange that new leaks from Kopite7Kimi indicate that the RTX 5080 comes with 16GB of GDDR7 VRAM. Admittedly, I was distracted from this part by the fact that the RTX 5090 reportedly uses 32GB, because that’s the kind of generational leap that will put a smile on the face of enthusiasts. But despite the fact that it’s faster memory than GDDR6X, I think the 5080 is playing with fire.

GeForce RTX 5090PG144/145-SKU30GB202-300-A121760FP32512-bit GDDR7 32G600WSeptember 26, 2024

It’s worth noting that the reliable insider has revealed more than just memory specs, as he claims the RTX 5090 will come with 21,760 CUDA cores, a 512-bit bus, and a monstrous TDP of 600W. On the other hand, the RTX 5080 appears to have 10,752 cores, a 256-bit memory bus, and delivers 400W. On paper, the flagship appears to be a much bigger leap than the 80-series card, and that is in itself fascinating.

Massive memory lapse?

(Image credit: Nvidia)

Before I begin to flesh out my thoughts, it’s worth swallowing the usual pinch of salt. While Kopite7kimi was a reliable source, Nvidia likes to chop and change its next-gen GPU plans. However, the green team may already have some generational plans up its sleeve that have resulted in the RTX 5080 staying at 16GB, and on paper the specs aren’t necessarily indicative of performance.

Let’s break down the leaked specs – the apparent RTX 5090 is of course a big step up from the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090, but it doesn’t use a “full” GB202-300. Instead, the chip has been shrunk by about 13% to make room for a potential super card with an increased core count.

The RTX 5080 appears to be in the same position with its GB203-400 GPU, but the fact that its specs are halved means there’s certainly room for a model with a wider memory bus. This, in turn, could lead to Nvidia releasing an RTX 5080 Super with more VRAM soon, providing an opportunity for a mid-generation refresh.

The TLDR of all this boils down to the RTX 5080 looking pretty disappointing compared to the RTX 5090. Personally, I’m not convinced that the 90-class card won’t show up this time in place of an ultra-enthusiast TITAN card, which can have a huge impact on the price. Ultimately, I expect Nvidia will tout the RTX 5080 as a gaming component, while the flagship will be aimed at AI use.

But hey, that’s just a guess, and we won’t know anything for sure until Nvidia reveals its next-gen GPU plans.

topicnews · September 27, 2024

Leaks suggest the RTX 5090 will have 32GB of VRAM, but it’s the RTX 5080 I’m worried about

You may also like...

Recent Posts

topicnews · September 27, 2024

You may also like...

Baden-Württemberg: Wasen in Stuttgart, Schwerer Unfall in Waldbronn, Krankenversicherung teurer?

We lost two members, 27 were hospitalized due to the destruction of our shops – Gbagi Traders

Lucifer star Aimee Garcia plays psychologist

Recent Posts