The modified RTX 5090 consumes more than 1.5 kW of power via two 16-pin connectors.

Modified RTX 5090 consumes over 1.5 kW of power via two 16-pin connectors

Enthusiasts continue to test the limits of NVIDIA's flagship graphics card, and the latest experiment with the Gigabyte RTX 5090 Gaming OC model is impressive. To unlock the full potential of the GB202 graphics processor, modders equipped the card with a second 16-pin 12V-2x6 power connector. The result was staggering: at its peak, the graphics card alone consumed an incredible 1521 W. Of course, this was after replacing the firmware with one that removes consumption limits. Even in factory overclocking, the original video card is limited by restrictions that prevent it from fully utilizing the power of the Blackwell architecture. Adding a second power connector allowed these limitations to be bypassed, ensuring a stable power supply necessary for operation at extreme frequencies.

Predictably, a standard cooler was not enough to cool such a monster. Modders had to use a massive liquid cooling system with an external radiator to keep the chip temperature within reasonable limits.