Something strange is happening in high-end GPU markets. Reports suggest that custom ZOTAC GeForce RTX 5090 graphics cards are not achieving expected performance benchmarks for a mighty 5090. It appears some cards are shipping with lower Raster Operations Pipelines (ROPs) than anticipated.
The Mystery of the Missing ROPs
Techpowerup and sharp-eyed users have identified a potential issue in the analysis of ZOTAC RTX 5090 "SOLID" edition cards using GPU-Z. These cards are reportedly showing only 168 ROPs. The expected value is 176, consistent with the standard RTX 5090 design, including NVIDIA's Founders Edition.
ROPs are crucial in graphics rendering. They handle anti-aliasing, color blending, and finalize pixel output. Fewer ROPs can lead to reduced performance in graphically demanding situations.
Performance Implications: Slower Performance Observed
Early tests indicate slower than expected performance. Re-testing by Techpowerup showed a ZOTAC RTX 5090 performing somewhat slower than the NVIDIA RTX 5090 Founders Edition. The performance is notably below that of other manufacturers' RTX 5090 cards. Discrepancies are apparent in games like Elden Ring, Starfield, and Doom Eternal, which heavily utilize ROP performance.
Techpowerup stated, "In re-testing, this was replicated, confirming that the ZOTAC RTX 5090 cards are indeed performing slower than expected. As far as ROP count goes, the Founders Edition RTX 5090 is equipped with 176 ROPs while the ZOTAC RTX 5090 cards show 168."
Hardware or Software Issue?
The key question is the cause of these ZOTAC cards showing fewer ROPs. More importantly, can it be resolved?
Two potential scenarios exist:
- Software/BIOS Bug: If the issue stems from the card's BIOS or NVIDIA drivers, a software update could potentially restore the missing ROPs and expected performance.
- Hardware Defect: In a more serious scenario, the ROPs may be non-functional due to a hardware defect. This would imply manufacturing with fewer functional units, making a fix challenging and potentially leading to product recalls or replacements.
Responsibility and Next Steps
ZOTAC, like other graphics card manufacturers, relies on NVIDIA for core GPU specifications. NVIDIA releases GPU chips after quality assurance processes. Determining responsibility is complex and may involve both NVIDIA and ZOTAC's quality control.
This situation is unfavorable for consumers. NVIDIA and ZOTAC are under pressure to investigate and provide a solution quickly. Owners of ZOTAC RTX 5090 cards, especially the SOLID edition, should verify their ROP count using GPU-Z and monitor performance.
The coming weeks may reveal the cause and the path forward. The PC gaming community is closely observing how NVIDIA and ZOTAC address this unexpected development in the high-end GPU market.
