QuasarZone conducted tests on GeForce RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 graphics cards using Cyberpunk 2077 at 4K resolution. The study monitored 16-pin power connector temperatures and power draw when enabling DLSS 5.
For the RTX 5090 Founders Edition, activating DLSS 5 raised connector temperatures from 77.1 and 80.9 degrees Celsius to 83.4 and 91.7 degrees Celsius. The connector became the hottest component on the card.
PCAT measurements showed the RTX 5090 power draw increased from 582.7W to 646.7W with DLSS 5 enabled. Custom models like the MSI RTX 5090 32G Lightning Z recorded spikes up to 848W at 4K resolution.
Current per pin on an Asus ROG Astral RTX 5090 reached 8.51A with DLSS 5, nearing the 9.2A PCI-SIG limit. A simulation of a loose pin showed current hitting 10.1A, exceeding the specification by 10 percent.
