NVIDIA’s latest flagship, the GeForce RTX 5090 GPUs, is stirring up some unwanted drama as reports reveal defects in many units due to a faulty "Blackwell" GB202 chip.
The Downfall of NVIDIA’s Blackwell RTX GPU: Missing ROPs Raise Concerns
Gamers are once again caught in a whirlwind of disappointment and frustration with the GPU market. First, the much-anticipated RTX Blackwell models trickled in slowly, scarcely occupying shelves. Now, there’s chatter that some of these high-performance chips have been produced with defects, resulting in noticeably diminished capabilities. Our sources indicate that a troublesome ZOTAC GeForce RTX 5090 is part of this saga. The latest word from @MEGAsizeGPU points to deeper issues with the Blackwell GB202 chip, which we’re going to delve into.
The concern stems from diminished ROPs displayed in GPU-Z for the RTX 5090, signaling compromised performance for affected users. Initially, it seemed GPU-Z might be showing errors, but now, reports confirm the core issue resides within the defective GB202 chip, casting a shadow over these revelations.
To validate these concerns, an RTX 5090 was examined using HWINFO. Results showed a drop in ROPs, solidifying the seriousness of this issue. It’s still early days, so only a few SKUs are impacted. However, the concern isn’t restricted to just one third-party provider, as rumors suggest every variant, including the Founders Edition, might be susceptible.
Source: @BuildLabEx
So, what’s the plan moving forward? We’ve reached out to NVIDIA for further insight. Given the problem’s roots in the GB202 chip, it’s plausible that NVIDIA will initiate a replacement drive under warranty, which is undoubtedly crucial if the issue continues to escalate. This situation is particularly unfortunate for NVIDIA, especially since their mid-range GPUs are already rumored to face production delays because of performance concerns.
For those using the GeForce RTX 5090, we advise you to inspect your hardware for any abnormalities in the ROP count. Anything under 176 might indicate an issue, so keep us informed. As this predicament develops, we’re still in the dark about any possible effects on other models, like the GeForce RTX 5080. Stay tuned as we continue to monitor this evolving story.
