I. Introduction: The New Flagship Arrives, Will It Satisfy Top Players?

The third flagship of NVIDIA's RTX 50 series has arrived. Faced with this change, players can only accept it with a bitter smile and focus more on the performance of the new flagship.

Now in our review room is the ZOTAC RTX 5090 D v2 24GB SOLID OC graphics card. The new flagship is indistinguishable from the previous one in terms of appearance and cooler size configuration. Let's see if it can succeed its predecessor and retain the throne of graphics card performance.

The ZOTAC RTX 5090 D v2 24GB SOLID OC graphics card also features the NVIDIA Blackwell architecture GPU, with a core number of GB202-240. The base clock and boost clock are 2017MHz and 2437MHz, respectively, and it still has 21760 CUDA cores. There is no compromise in the most critical performance indicators.

The main change in the new graphics card is the reduction of GDDR7 memory to 24GB, with the memory bus width also reduced to 384-bit, resulting in a memory bandwidth drop to 1344GB/s. As we will see later, four memory chips have been removed directly from the PCB.

The detailed specifications of the ZOTAC RTX 5090 D v2 24GB SOLID OC graphics card are as follows:

II. Appearance Appreciation: Classic SOLID Series Flagship Cooler with Luxurious Configuration

The ZOTAC RTX 5090 D v2 24GB SOLID OC graphics card continues to use the iconic cooler of the SOLID series, featuring a rugged industrial design with vertical intersecting lines and chamfered edges. The three 95mm diameter fans almost cover the entire front.

Close-up of the 9-blade ring fan. The ultra-thick heatsink with a 3.5-slot specification provides a smoother airflow. The three fans do not require a positive and negative rotation design to optimize airflow, avoiding the re-inhalation of hot air that affects cooling efficiency.

Close-up of the ZOTAC logo on the cooler of the ZOTAC RTX 5090 D v2 24GB SOLID OC graphics card.

The alloy backplate of the ZOTAC RTX 5090 D v2 24GB SOLID OC graphics card is made of high-strength alloy casting. The tail section features a large area of ventilated design. The dark gold pattern and logo on the backplate echo the color of the dark gold alloy middle frame exposed by the ventilated areas.

Close-up of the backplate of the ZOTAC RTX 5090 D v2 24GB SOLID OC graphics card.

The top of the ZOTAC RTX 5090 D v2 24GB SOLID OC graphics card is designed with a large front-to-back opening, clearly showing the dark gold alloy middle frame. It has superior torsion and compression resistance, enhancing the overall structural strength of the graphics card and preventing deformation.

The ZOTAC RTX 5090 D v2 24GB SOLID OC graphics card features a reversely designed 12V 2x6 16P power interface on top. A dual-BIOS switch button is located next to the power interface, allowing one-click switching between performance and silent modes. An ARGB Aura Sync interface is also nearby, enabling synchronization with the motherboard's lighting effects.

Close-up of the top logo light of the ZOTAC RTX 5090 D v2 24GB SOLID OC graphics card.

Close-up of the grille at the tail of the ZOTAC RTX 5090 D v2 24GB SOLID OC graphics card. The dark gold middle frame reserves three screw holes at the tail, allowing users to install a graphics card bracket according to their needs.

The bracket of the ZOTAC RTX 5090 D v2 24GB SOLID OC graphics card features extensive ventilated design. In terms of display interfaces, it provides three DP 2.1b ports and one HDMI 2.1b port.

The ICESTORM 3.0 cooling system of the ZOTAC RTX 5090 D v2 24GB SOLID OC graphics card. It can be seen that the ultra-large vacuum chamber heat spreader fully covers the GPU and memory. The power supply sections at the front and rear ends of the core area are also tightly attached to the composite heat pipes through thermal silicone.

The heat from the entire graphics card is directed to the dense cooling fins through the ultra-large VC and nine heat pipes, and then efficiently dissipated by the three fans.

Overview of the PCB of the ZOTAC RTX 5090 D v2 24GB SOLID OC graphics card. It can be seen that the main components of the single-sided PCB are concentrated on the front, leaving the back very clean. Luxurious power supply components cover the entire PCB without leaving any gaps.

The four empty solder positions for memory chips are very noticeable. It is unclear whether NVIDIA has imposed any other restrictions on the RTX 5090 D v2 besides the physical absence of memory.

Close-up of the GPU chip of the ZOTAC RTX 5090 D v2 24GB SOLID OC graphics card, with a core code of GB202-240.

GDDR7 memory chips from Samsung, totaling 12 pieces to form a 24GB capacity.

The luxurious power supply section of the ZOTAC RTX 5090 D v2 24GB SOLID OC graphics card. The 22+7 phase power supply ensures a stable performance output of 575W for the graphics card.

III. Theoretical Performance Test: Flagship-Level Performance Still Leads by a Wide Margin

The test platform configuration is as follows:

1. Speed Way

In the Speed Way test for overall performance in 3DMark, the total score was 13923, with a graphics card test score of 139.24FPS.

2. Steel Nomad

In the Steel Nomad test for reliability, stability, and sustained performance in 3Dmark, the total score was 14131, with a graphics card test score of 141.32FPS.

3. Port Royal

In the Port Royal test of 3Dmark, which measures real-time ray tracing performance, the overall score was 33881, with a GPU score of 156.86FPS.

4. Time Spy

In the 3DMark Time Spy (DX12+2K render resolution) test, the overall score was 36014, with a GPU score of 41591.

5. Time Spy Extreme

In the 3DMark Time Spy Extreme (DX12+4K render resolution) test, the overall score was 20812, with a GPU score of 24739.

6. Fire Strike

In the 3DMark Fire Strike (DX11+1080P render resolution) test, the overall score was 51539, with a GPU score of 74233.

7. Fire Strike Extreme

In the 3DMark Fire Strike Extreme (DX11+2K render resolution) test, the overall score was 41669, with a GPU score of 51135.

8. Fire Strike Ultra

In the 3DMark Fire Strike Ultra (DX11+4K render resolution) test, the overall score was 30915, with a GPU score of 32639.

9. NVIDIA DLSS 4 Test

In the 3Dmark NVIDIA DLSS feature test, the frame rate was around 77.3FPS with DLSS 4 off. With DLSS 4 2x enabled, the frame rate increased to 252.66FPS. With DLSS 4 3x enabled, the frame rate increased to 342.81FPS. With DLSS 4 4x enabled, the frame rate increased to 420.51FPS.

The ZOTAC RTX 5090 D v2 24GB SOLID OC graphics card continues to lead significantly in 3Dmark tests, with a 34% advantage over the RTX 5080 and a similarly large advantage over the previous generation flagship. Its flagship status is unshakable, and top-tier enthusiasts seeking performance can still choose it with confidence.

IV. DLSS 4 Game Tests: Up to 4x Frame Rate Increase for Smooth 3A Gameplay

1. Black Myth: Wukong

In Black Myth: Wukong, using the cinematic quality preset with DLSS sample precision set to 50, the game frame rate at 4K resolution was recorded.

In Black Myth: Wukong, with DLSS 4 set to the highest 4X level of multi-frame generation, the test frame rate at 4K resolution was 246.

2. Cyberpunk 2077

In Cyberpunk 2077, we used the 'Ray Tracing: Ultra' preset and selected the Transformer model in DLSS, with DLSS super resolution set to default automatic. The performance test was run at 4K resolution.

In Cyberpunk 2077, with DLSS 4 set to the highest 4X level of multi-frame generation, the test frame rate at 4K resolution was 276.56.

3. Hogwarts Legacy

In Hogwarts Legacy, using the Ultra quality preset with DLSS super resolution set to Balanced, the game frame rate at 4K resolution was recorded.

In Hogwarts Legacy, with DLSS 4 set to the highest 4X level of multi-frame generation, the test frame rate at 4K resolution was 374.

4. Alan Wake 2

In Alan Wake 2, using the highest quality preset and DLSS frame generation, the game frame rate at 4K resolution was recorded.

In Alan Wake 2, with DLSS 4 set to the highest 4X level of multi-frame generation, the test frame rate at 4K resolution was 140.

5. Star Wars: Jedi Survivor

In Star Wars: Jedi Survivor, using the highest quality preset and DLSS frame generation, the game frame rate at 4K resolution was recorded.

In Star Wars: Jedi Survivor, with DLSS 4 set to the highest 4X level of multi-frame generation, the test frame rate at 4K resolution was 324.

6. Doom Eternal

In Doom Eternal, using the default Ultra Nightmare performance metric and DLSS frame generation, the game frame rate at 4K resolution was recorded.

In Doom Eternal, with DLSS 4 set to the highest 4X level of multi-frame generation, the test frame rate at 4K resolution was 355.

We then manually enabled the latest ray tracing feature in Doom Eternal to test the frame rate performance with DLSS 4 under the Ultra Nightmare performance metric.

After manually enabling the ray tracing feature and combining it with the Ultra Nightmare performance metric, DLSS 4 at the highest 4X level of multi-frame generation achieved a frame rate of 225 at 4K resolution.

With the support of DLSS 4, the ZOTAC RTX 5090 D v2 24GB SOLID OC graphics card allows all 3A games to be played at the highest 4K quality settings without hesitation, with up to a fourfold increase in frame rate. Even games like Alan Wake 2 can reach 140 frames, and large 3A games like Cyberpunk 2077 or Black Myth: Wukong can easily exceed 240 frames at the highest 4K quality settings, providing extremely smooth gameplay.

V. Other 4K Game Tests: Latest Games Easily Reach Over 100 FPS

1. Forza Horizon 5

In Forza Horizon 5, using extreme quality settings at 4K resolution, the final test score was 186fps.

2. Gears 5

In "Gears 5", using 4K resolution and ultra-high graphics settings for testing, the average frame rate is 172.0.

3. "Horizon Zero Dawn"

In "Horizon Zero Dawn", using 4K resolution and ultimate quality graphics settings for testing, the average frame rate is 193.

4. "Tomb Raider: Shadow of the Tomb Raider"

In "Tomb Raider: Shadow of the Tomb Raider", using 4K resolution and the highest graphics settings for testing, with DLSS super sampling set to quality, the average frame rate is 237.

5. "Monster Hunter: World"

In "Monster Hunter: World", using 4K resolution and very high graphics settings for testing, with frame generation enabled, the test result is 161.49fps.

6. "Assassin's Creed: Shadow"

In "Assassin's Creed: Shadow", using 4K resolution and very high graphics settings for testing, with DLSS frame generation enabled, the test result is 145fps.

The ZOTAC RTX 5090 D v2 24GB SOLID OC graphics card easily exceeds 120 frames per second in games that do not support DLSS 4, be it older games or the latest titles like "Monster Hunter: World" or "Assassin's Creed: Shadow", providing an extremely smooth gaming experience with virtually no perceived stress.

We also tested the performance of the ZOTAC RTX 5090 D v2 24GB SOLID OC graphics card in 2K games for players' reference.

VI. Stress Test and Temperature: Stable 575W Output with Core Frequency Boosting up to 2947MHz

We conducted a 10-minute stress test on the ZOTAC RTX 5090 D v2 24GB SOLID OC graphics card using Furmark, with a room temperature of approximately 28°C. The GPU power consumption stabilized at 575W, the core frequency at 2460MHz, the temperature at 78.1°C, and the fan speed between 1800-2200RPM, resulting in virtually no audible noise.

During our 3Dmark tests, we also recorded the GPU's operating frequency. In scenarios closer to real-world gaming, the ZOTAC RTX 5090 D v2 24GB SOLID OC graphics card's core frequency accelerated to over 2.9GHz, with a maximum power output exceeding 580W.

VII. Conclusion: Flagship Status Remains Solid, the Ultimate Choice for Top-Tier Gamers

The ZOTAC RTX 5090 D v2 24GB SOLID OC graphics card undoubtedly reigns supreme in terms of performance, maintaining a significant lead over both previous-generation flagship and secondary flagship models. Gamers need not worry about insufficient performance in the new version.

In 3Dmark theoretical performance tests, the ZOTAC RTX 5090 D v2 24GB SOLID OC graphics card demonstrated an average performance advantage of 36% over the previous flagship RTX 4090 D and an even more substantial lead of 44% over the secondary flagship RTX 5080, continuing to stand tall above the rest.

In actual gaming tests, the ZOTAC RTX 5090 D v2 24GB SOLID OC graphics card easily achieves over 100 frames per second at 4K resolution with the highest graphics settings, regardless of whether the game supports DLSS 4 technology, providing a very smooth gaming experience.

If the game supports DLSS 4, frame rates can even exceed 300. To some extent, it can be said that the ZOTAC RTX 5090 D v2 24GB SOLID OC graphics card is already prepared for future 8K displays. Perhaps only at 8K resolution can the limitations of 24GB of VRAM be truly felt.

For the most elite gaming enthusiasts, the ZOTAC RTX 5090 D v2 24GB SOLID OC graphics card remains the undisputed flagship, with a solid flagship status. Coupled with ZOTAC's uncompromising luxury configuration, including an ultra-large VC with a nine-heatpipe triple-fan flagship cooler and a luxurious 22+7 phase power supply, it ensures stable operation of the graphics card. The maximum performance output of 580W empowers top-tier gamers to dominate and excel in their games.