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Yes—the January 3, 2025 leak was substantially correct. NVIDIA’s finalized specifications list the GeForce RTX 5090 at 575W Total Graphics Power (TGP) and the RTX 5080 at 360W TGP. The important correction is terminology: the original report called these figures “TDP,” while NVIDIA officially uses TGP for these graphics cards.
That power increase has practical consequences for your power supply, cabling, case clearance, and cooling. It does not mean the entire PC always draws 575W or 360W, nor does it mean every RTX 5090 build needs a 1,500W PSU.
What was rumored on January 3, 2025?
The original report, attributed to GPU leakers Kopite7Kimi and hongxing2020, claimed that the upcoming RTX 5090 would carry a 575W power rating and the RTX 5080 a 360W rating. At the time, it was unclear whether the figures represented TDP or TGP, and NVIDIA had not published final specifications.
The figures appeared notably higher than the previous-generation reference cards:
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| Graphics card | Listed board-power figure | Change versus predecessor |
|---|---|---|
| RTX 5090 | 575W | About 27.8% above the RTX 4090’s 450W |
| RTX 5080 | 360W | About 12.5% above the RTX 4080’s 320W |
Those percentages compare published power ratings, not measured average gaming consumption or total power drawn from the wall.
Tom’s Hardware’s original report appropriately treated the numbers as leaks and noted the TDP-versus-TGP uncertainty.
NVIDIA confirmed both numbers
NVIDIA later published the specifications for the cards, which launched on January 30, 2025. The final reference figures are:
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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →| GPU | Official specification | NVIDIA recommended minimum system power |
|---|---|---|
| GeForce RTX 5090 | 575W TGP | 1,000W |
| GeForce RTX 5080 | 360W TGP | 850W |
See NVIDIA’s official RTX 5090 specifications and RTX 5080 specifications.
So the best current verdict is: the leaked wattage figures were right, but the finalized technical label is TGP rather than TDP.
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- Fully Modular: Reliable and efficient low-noise power supply with fully modular cabling, so you only have to connect the cables your system needs.
- Cybenetics Gold-Certified: Rated for up to 91% efficiency, resulting in lower power consumption, less noise, and cooler temperatures.
- ATX 3.1 Compliant: Compliant with the ATX 3.1 power standard from Intel, supporting PCIe 5.1 and resisting transient power spikes.
- Native 12V-2x6 Connector: Ensures compatibility with the latest graphics cards with a direct GPU to PSU connection – no adapter necessary.
- Embossed Cables with Low-Profile Combs: Sleek, ultra-flexible embossed cables look great and make installing and connecting the RMx a breeze.
TDP versus TGP: what is the difference?
TDP commonly describes a thermal design target used when planning a cooling solution. Manufacturers do not always use the term identically, so it should not automatically be treated as a precise measurement of every operating condition.
TGP, or Total Graphics Power, is NVIDIA’s official board-level power specification for these cards. It describes the graphics card’s rated graphics power, not the total electricity consumed by the computer.
Actual consumption can vary with the game or application, GPU clock behavior, factory overclocking, power-limit settings, drivers, firmware, transient spikes, and the specific add-in-board design. Partner cards may therefore have different limits, connectors, dimensions, and cooling requirements from NVIDIA’s reference design.
What the RTX 5090’s 575W TGP means for a build
Power supply
NVIDIA recommends a 1,000W minimum system power supply for its specified RTX 5090 configuration. That is a system recommendation—not a claim that every RTX 5090 computer must use exactly 1,000W or more regardless of its components.
A high-quality 1,000W unit can be appropriate for a stock system, but additional headroom is sensible with a high-end CPU, CPU or GPU overclocking, several drives, expansion cards, or sustained rendering and AI workloads. A reputable ATX 3.1/PCIe 5.1 PSU is a strong choice for a new build because it is designed for modern transient behavior and typically provides a suitable native GPU cable.
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Do not judge a PSU by the wattage printed on its label alone. A poor-quality 1,000W unit is not equivalent to a well-built model with appropriate protections, transient handling, and cabling.
Power connector options
NVIDIA’s RTX 5090 guide specifies either:
- One native PCIe Gen 5 16-pin cable rated for 600W or more; or
- The included adapter connected to at least four independent PCIe 8-pin cables.
When using the adapter, follow the guide’s independent-cable requirement rather than automatically connecting multiple plugs through one daisy-chained lead. Never assume modular PSU cables are interchangeable between brands or product families.
Seat the 16-pin connector fully and avoid a sharp bend immediately at the plug. A native cable from a compatible PSU reduces adapter complexity, but it still must meet the rating and installation guidance for the exact card.
Cooling and case clearance
A 575W graphics card can put substantial heat into the case during demanding workloads. NVIDIA lists its reference RTX 5090 design at 304mm long and two slots thick, while also advising clearance equivalent to an additional expansion slot for airflow. Partner cards can be longer, thicker, taller, and heavier.
Check the exact model’s dimensions, support-bracket requirements, radiator clearance, and 16-pin cable-bend space. “RTX 5090 compatible” is not enough if the particular partner card cannot physically fit.
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- Fully Modular: Reliable and efficient low-noise power supply with fully modular cabling, so you only have to connect the cables your system needs.
- Cybenetics Gold-Certified: Rated for up to 91% efficiency, resulting in lower power consumption, less noise, and cooler temperatures.
- ATX 3.1 Compliant: Compliant with the ATX 3.1 power standard from Intel, supporting PCIe 5.1 and resisting transient power spikes.
- Native 12V-2x6 Connector: Ensures compatibility with the latest graphics cards with a direct GPU to PSU connection – no adapter necessary.
- Embossed Cables with Low-Profile Combs: Sleek, ultra-flexible embossed cables look great and make installing and connecting the RMx a breeze.
What the RTX 5080’s 360W TGP means for a build
The RTX 5080 is less demanding than the RTX 5090 but remains an enthusiast-class card. NVIDIA recommends an 850W minimum system PSU.
According to the RTX 5080 installation guide, the Founders Edition can use either:
- One native PCIe Gen 5 16-pin cable rated for 450W or more; or
- The included adapter connected to at least three independent PCIe 8-pin cables.
An existing, high-quality 850W-or-better PSU may be suitable depending on the CPU and rest of the system. Check the exact partner card, because factory-overclocked models can have different power limits and physical requirements.
The RTX 5080 launched with 16GB of GDDR7, while the RTX 5090 launched with 32GB. That difference may matter for local AI, professional applications, and unusually demanding high-resolution workloads, even though it does not change the official PSU guidance.
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Why transient power and cable installation matter
TGP is a useful planning number, but it does not fully describe short-duration power excursions. Modern GPUs can briefly demand more power than their nominal board rating, which is one reason ATX 3.1/PCIe 5.1 power supplies are attractive for new systems.
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Whether you use a native 16-pin lead or an adapter:
- Use only cables supplied or approved for your PSU.
- Follow the GPU manufacturer’s required cable count.
- Use separate PCIe cables for adapter plugs when the instructions require independent cables.
- Push the 16-pin connector completely into the socket.
- Leave adequate clearance so the cable is not sharply bent at the connector.
These steps are more important than simply buying the largest wattage number you can find.
RTX 5090 or RTX 5080: which is easier to integrate?
The RTX 5090 is the flagship option, with 32GB of GDDR7 and the highest performance in the launch desktop RTX 50-series lineup. Its 575W TGP also brings the greatest demands for power delivery, airflow, case space, and heat management.
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The RTX 5080’s 360W TGP and 850W system recommendation make it easier to integrate into an existing high-end PC. It is still not a low-power upgrade, and its 16GB frame buffer may be a limitation for some creator and AI workloads.
Neither card’s TGP alone proves anything about performance per watt. That requires controlled testing under comparable workloads. Likewise, NVIDIA’s launch claims about performance improvements should be understood in their stated context, including DLSS 4 where applicable, rather than inferred from power figures.
Buying checklist
- Check the exact card model. Partner versions can differ in size, connector layout, power limit, and factory overclock.
- Start with NVIDIA’s baseline. Use 1,000W for the RTX 5090 and 850W for the RTX 5080 as the official reference points, then account for the rest of the system.
- Prefer a reputable ATX 3.1/PCIe 5.1 PSU for a new build, particularly for the RTX 5090.
- Confirm native-cable ratings. The RTX 5090 requires a 600W-or-greater native Gen 5 cable; the RTX 5080 requires 450W or greater for the reference guidance.
- Verify adapter cabling. The 5090 requires four independent 8-pin cables with its adapter; the 5080 requires three.
- Measure the case. Confirm length, thickness, height, airflow room, support clearance, and connector-bend space.
- Consider sustained workloads. Rendering, AI, and overclocking can justify more PSU headroom than a stock gaming system.
Final verdict
The RTX 5090’s rumored 575W figure and RTX 5080’s rumored 360W figure turned out to be accurate as numerical specifications. NVIDIA officially lists them as 575W TGP and 360W TGP, respectively—not TDP.
For buyers, the practical numbers are NVIDIA’s 1,000W RTX 5090 and 850W RTX 5080 system-power recommendations, combined with the correct native cable or independent adapter wiring. Choose the PSU, case, and cooling setup for the exact card and complete system—not for the headline wattage alone.
For context, both cards launched on January 30, 2025, at official starting prices of $1,999 for the RTX 5090 and $999 for the RTX 5080. Those launch prices are not guarantees of current retail pricing.
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