Nvidia acknowledged that some of its latest high-end graphics cards shipped with a manufacturing defect that reduces gaming performance by up to 10%, affecting both the $2,000 RTX 5090 and newly launched RTX 5070 Ti.
Why it matters: The revelation raises questions about quality control in Nvidia‘s manufacturing process, as defective units passed both internal testing and partner validation before reaching consumers.
Technical Impact: The manufacturing flaw affects the graphics processors in several ways:
- Missing render output units (ROPs)
- Up to 10% lower gaming performance
- Reduced 3D rendering capabilities
Consumer Protection: Nvidia has implemented several measures to address the issue:
- Free replacements through board partners
- GPU-Z verification tool available
- Production process already corrected
The defect stems from missing render output units (ROPs) – critical components that handle final pixel processing before images appear on screen. The RTX 5090 should have 176 ROPs but affected units only have 168, while defective RTX 5070 Ti cards have 88 instead of 96.
“We have identified a rare issue affecting less than 0.5% of GeForce RTX 5090 / 5090D and 5070 Ti GPUs which have one fewer ROP than specified,” says Ben Berraondo, Nvidia’s global PR director, according to The Verge. “The average graphical performance impact is 4%, with no impact on AI and Compute workloads.”
Independent testing reveals more significant impacts in some scenarios. A user on ComputerBase forums documented up to 12% lower performance in certain games with their affected RTX 5070 Ti, while TechPowerUp measured an 11% decline in 3DMark Time Spy with a defective RTX 5090.
The issue compounds recent challenges for Nvidia‘s RTX 50 series launch, including reports of melting power connectors, PCIe stability problems, and ongoing supply constraints. However, the company says production corrections are already in place to prevent future defects.
Looking ahead, consumers can verify their cards using the GPU-Z utility – if it shows fewer ROPs than specified, they should contact their board manufacturer for a replacement.
