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A recently discarded NVIDIA graphics card prototype has emerged from an unexpected source—a dumpster. Reported by VideoCardz citing an anonymous tipster from Reddit, the new GPU is identified as an experimental RTX 4090 variant, and has very unique design features and engineering choices. The recovered prototype shares core specifications with the retail RTX 4090 Founders Edition, featuring identical PG147 SKU 330 board architecture and power specifications of 450 W typical draw with a 600 W peak capacity. However, technicalities reveal some differences, particularly in its BIOS version (95.02.01.22.01) and operating frequencies, with a 2115 MHz base clock and 2355 MHz boost clock running approximately 5% lower than the regular Founders Editions model.
Most intriguingly, the prototype implements an interesting triple-fan cooling solution, distinguished by a concealed middle fan integrated within the heatsink structure. This design element aligns with previous industry speculation about NVIDIA's development of an 900 W-capable Founders Edition card. However, the discovered unit maintains standard RTX 4090 branding without any "Ti" or "TITAN" designations, which we previously associated the massive heatsink with. Further analysis suggests the prototype's distinctive three-section PCB layout was likely developed to accommodate additional processing cores and memory components, pointing to NVIDIA's exploration of more powerful variants that ultimately never reached production.
The unit's compatibility with public GPU drivers has enabled preliminary functionality testing, confirming its operational status. To ensure proper documentation and analysis, the finder plans to transfer the prototype to the popular channel Gamers Nexus for review. This discovery offers a rare glimpse into NVIDIA's product development process, which goes through several phases of getting the prototype from basic functionality to full operational status and to the sleek and polished design that ultimately ends up being shipped to consumers. We are eager to see what this modified heatsink offers regarding performance and potential overclocking.
View at TechPowerUp Main Site | Source
Most intriguingly, the prototype implements an interesting triple-fan cooling solution, distinguished by a concealed middle fan integrated within the heatsink structure. This design element aligns with previous industry speculation about NVIDIA's development of an 900 W-capable Founders Edition card. However, the discovered unit maintains standard RTX 4090 branding without any "Ti" or "TITAN" designations, which we previously associated the massive heatsink with. Further analysis suggests the prototype's distinctive three-section PCB layout was likely developed to accommodate additional processing cores and memory components, pointing to NVIDIA's exploration of more powerful variants that ultimately never reached production.
The unit's compatibility with public GPU drivers has enabled preliminary functionality testing, confirming its operational status. To ensure proper documentation and analysis, the finder plans to transfer the prototype to the popular channel Gamers Nexus for review. This discovery offers a rare glimpse into NVIDIA's product development process, which goes through several phases of getting the prototype from basic functionality to full operational status and to the sleek and polished design that ultimately ends up being shipped to consumers. We are eager to see what this modified heatsink offers regarding performance and potential overclocking.
View at TechPowerUp Main Site | Source
