Galax GeForce RTX 5090 D Star Nox specifications and in-depth review

Galax GeForce RTX 5090 D Star Nox

Manufacturer: Galax

The Galax GeForce RTX 5090 D Star Nox is a high-performance graphics card designed to handle demanding tasks. With a base GPU clock speed of 2017 MHz and the ability to boost up to 2407 MHz, this card is built for intense graphical workloads. It also features 32GB of GDDR7 VRAM, making it well-suited for gaming, rendering, and other GPU-heavy applications.

Technical specifications include a maximum memory bandwidth of 1790 GB/s, 21760 shading units, and support for advanced technologies such as ray tracing and DirectX 12 Ultimate. The card also offers multi-display support, a PCIe 5.0 interface, and features an HDMI 2.1b output along with three DisplayPort connectors. Its thermal design power (TDP) is 575W, with a 5nm semiconductor size, ensuring efficient power management while delivering top-tier performance.

Pros
  • Supports DirectX 12 Ultimate and ray tracing, offering advanced graphical features for modern gaming and applications.
  • Equipped with 32GB of VRAM, providing ample memory for high-resolution textures and demanding tasks.
  • Supports multi-display setups, with a maximum of four displays for enhanced productivity or gaming.
  • Features RGB lighting, allowing for customizable aesthetics in compatible setups.
  • Supports ECC memory, improving system stability and reliability for critical workloads.
Cons
  • No support for USB-C, DVI, or mini DisplayPort outputs, limiting connectivity options compared to other GPUs.
  • Does not include air-water cooling, which may impact thermal performance under heavy loads.
  • Requires a significant 575W TDP, demanding a robust power supply for optimal performance.
Who is this for?

The Galax GeForce RTX 5090 D Star Nox is ideal for power users and enthusiasts who demand cutting-edge graphical performance. With its 32GB VRAM and 104.8 TFLOPS of floating-point performance, it excels in high-end gaming, rendering, and content creation. Its support for ray tracing and DirectX 12 Ultimate ensures top-tier visual fidelity, making it well-suited for advanced gaming setups and professional graphics workloads. Additionally, its multi-display support makes it a great choice for users needing expansive screen real estate.

Who is this NOT for?

This graphics card may not be suitable for users with more basic needs or those seeking a compact and energy-efficient solution. Its large 575W TDP and lack of air-water cooling may lead to excessive heat generation in smaller builds or less optimized environments. Additionally, the absence of USB-C and DVI outputs limits connectivity for those needing a broader range of display options or specialized setups.

Performance:

GPU clock speed 2017 MHz
GPU turbo 2407 MHz
pixel rate 423.6 GPixel/s
floating-point performance 104.8 TFLOPS
texture rate 1636.8 GTexels/s
GPU memory speed 1750 MHz
shading units 21760
texture mapping units (TMUs) 680
render output units (ROPs) 176
Has Double Precision Floating Point (DPFP)

The performance of the Galax GeForce RTX 5090 D Star Nox is driven by a base GPU clock speed of 2017 MHz, which can be boosted to 2407 MHz for even higher performance. It offers impressive floating-point performance of 104.8 TFLOPS, coupled with a pixel rate of 423.6 GPixel/s and a texture rate of 1636.8 GTexels/s. The card is equipped with 21760 shading units and 680 texture mapping units (TMUs), ensuring excellent graphical processing power. Additionally, the GPU memory speed is 1750 MHz, and it includes 176 render output units (ROPs). The card also supports Double Precision Floating Point (DPFP), enhancing its computational precision for certain tasks.

Memory:

effective memory speed 28000 MHz
maximum memory bandwidth 1790 GB/s
VRAM 32GB
GDDR version GDDR7
memory bus width 512-bit
Supports ECC memory

The Galax GeForce RTX 5090 D Star Nox is equipped with a substantial 32GB of VRAM using the latest GDDR7 memory technology, offering an effective memory speed of 28000 MHz. It delivers a maximum memory bandwidth of 1790 GB/s, enabling seamless data transfer for high-demand applications. The card also features a wide 512-bit memory bus and supports ECC memory, ensuring greater reliability and error correction for critical workloads.

Features:

DirectX version DirectX 12 Ultimate
OpenGL version 4.6
OpenCL version 3
Supports multi-display technology
supports ray tracing
Supports 3D
supports DLSS
has XeSS (XMX)
AMD SAM / Intel Resizable BAR Intel Resizable BAR
has LHR
has RGB lighting
supported displays 4

The Galax GeForce RTX 5090 D Star Nox includes several cutting-edge features to enhance the user experience. It supports DirectX 12 Ultimate and ray tracing, offering advanced visual effects for more realistic gaming and rendering. With support for multi-display technology, it can handle up to four displays simultaneously, while also providing RGB lighting for aesthetic customization. Additional features include DLSS support for improved performance and Intel Resizable BAR compatibility, optimizing data flow between the GPU and CPU.

Ports:

has an HDMI output
HDMI ports 1
HDMI version HDMI 2.1b
DisplayPort outputs 3
USB-C ports 0
DVI outputs 0
mini DisplayPort outputs 0

The Galax GeForce RTX 5090 D Star Nox is equipped with multiple display options to cater to different setups. It features a single HDMI 2.1b output, along with three DisplayPort outputs, providing flexibility for connecting multiple monitors. However, it does not include any USB-C, DVI, or mini DisplayPort outputs, making it suitable for users who prioritize HDMI and DisplayPort connectivity.

General info:

GPU architecture Blackwell
release date January 2025
Thermal Design Power (TDP) 575W
PCI Express (PCIe) version 5
semiconductor size 5 nm
number of transistors 92200 million
Has air-water cooling
width 348 mm
height 155 mm

The Galax GeForce RTX 5090 D Star Nox utilizes the Blackwell GPU architecture built on a 5 nm semiconductor process, featuring a massive 92 billion transistors for superior performance. With a thermal design power (TDP) of 575W, it requires significant power for optimal operation. The card supports PCIe 5.0 and has a compact form factor, measuring 348 mm in width and 155 mm in height, though it does not include air-water cooling support.

Final Verdict

The Galax GeForce RTX 5090 D Star Nox is a high-performance graphics card designed for enthusiasts and professionals who demand top-tier graphical capabilities. With its impressive 32GB VRAM and 104.8 TFLOPS of floating-point performance, it excels in demanding tasks like gaming, 3D rendering, and content creation. While it lacks certain connectivity options and cooling features, its support for ray tracing and cutting-edge features like DirectX 12 Ultimate make it a strong choice for high-end setups. Overall, it is best suited for power users seeking uncompromising graphical performance and visual fidelity.