NVIDIA’s Curious RTX 5090D V2: Less Memory, Same Price for China
NVIDIA has quietly replaced its flagship RTX 5090D in China with a new “V2” model featuring 24GB of GDDR7 memory – down from 32GB – while retaining the same 21,760 cores and 16,499 RMB ($2,270 USD) price tag. The unannounced swap raises questions about compliance with U.S. export restrictions targeting China’s AI capabilities.
Key Changes & Specs
| Feature | RTX 5090D (Original) | RTX 5090D V2 |
|---|---|---|
| CUDA Cores | 21,760 | 21,760 |
| VRAM | 32GB GDDR7 | 24GB GDDR7 |
| Memory Bus | 512-bit | 384-bit |
| TGP | 575W | 575W |
| Price | 16,499 RMB | 16,499 RMB |
| Performance | Baseline | ~2% slower (per tests) |
Why the Downgrade?
- Export Compliance: 24GB likely skirts U.S. restrictions on AI-capable chips (32GB+ triggers limits)
- Inventory Shift: Reuses partially disabled GB202 dies
- Market Control: Maintains NVIDIA’s premium pricing despite reduced specs
The Silent Launch
- No press release or blog mention – NVIDIA silently updated its Chinese website
- Original 5090D product page now redirects to V2
- International markets unaffected (global 5090 retains 32GB)
Real-World Impact
- Gamers: Marginal performance loss (~2%) in 4K gaming
- AI Buyers: 24GB VRAM may bottleneck large LLM training
- Pricing Reality: Scalpers still charge 20,000+ RMB due to scarcity
Industry Context
- Loophole Strategy: Similar to 4090D’s CUDA core cut in 2023
- Competition: China’s local chips (e.g., Moore Threads) can’t match even this downgraded performance
- Next Move: RTX 5080 SUPER (24GB) rumored as NVIDIA’s true China-focused AI card
Also, Read
- RTX 5090 Catches Fire Mid-Game – ZOTAC Card Burns During Battlefield 6 Beta
- NVIDIA RTX 50 SUPER Series May Launch Early – 50% More VRAM, Q4 2025 Release Rumored
- NVIDIA N1X SoC Spotted on Windows – Furmark Leak Hints at Desktop ARM Future
The Bottom Line
NVIDIA’s RTX 5090D V2 is a calculated compromise: delivering flagship gaming performance to China while technically complying with export rules. For Chinese gamers, it’s the only legal path to Blackwell’s top tier – but they’re paying 32GB money for 24GB hardware.