NVIDIA's China-Exclusive RTX 4090 D GPU, Lacks Overclocking Feature; Complies with US Rules

NVIDIA has introduced the GeForce RTX 4090 D Gaming GPU, exclusively for the Chinese market, with some key differences from its original RTX 4090 model. This new variant is designed to comply with the latest U.S. regulations imposed on various companies in China.

The RTX 4090 D, featuring a slightly lower power draw (425W compared to the original's 450W) and a cut-down GPU, does not support overclocking. It maintains a base and boost clock speeds similar to the original model but is hardware-locked against overclocking. The GPU is expected to launch in late January and is currently in full production.

Is the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 D Gaming GPU Not Overclockable?

Benchlife adds two more pieces of information about the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 D, a Gaming GPU intended particularly for the Chinese market, to the earlier leak. The GPU will be designed to replace the original RTX 4090, which has been banned in China as a result of the most recent US laws placed on various enterprises. As a result, when it is released, the RTX 4090 D will be the country's flagship and fastest gaming chip.

The GeForce RTX 4090 D will reportedly have a TGP of 425W, which is 25W less than the original model. This is to be expected given that the card features a cut-down GPU known as the AD102-250, which should feature a lower number of cores to meet TPP (Total Processing Performance) parameters.

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 D Gaming GPU Has Lower Power Draw

The main point raised by Benchlife is that the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 D GPU will not enable overclocking. That's an especially intriguing move, given that the GeForce RTX 4090 offers pretty strong OC capabilities, allowing the card to run above 3000 MHz. The RTX 4090 D has relatively similar clocks, so it shouldn't be too difficult to overclock it. However, according to this claim, OC is intentionally or hardware-locked on the AD102-250 SKUs.

It will be fascinating to see how AIBs react to this, as they always create both an OC and a non-OC design centered around a flagship product. This means that any bespoke designs from AIBs for an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 D graphics card must adhere to the reference clock speeds of 2280 MHz base and 2520 MHz boost clocks. Sources told WCCFTech that the RTX 4090 D is currently in full production, with AIBs already completed with marketing, so fans can expect a late January debut if all goes as planned.

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