Gigabyte (via Twitter user Vectral) has quietly revised the brand's GeForce RTX 4090 WindForce 24G graphics card. The V2 model features a more compact design, with the 16-pin power connector transplanted to the rear of the graphics card instead of the side placement.
The manufacturer has revamped the GeForce RTX 4090 WindForce 24G's cooler. It still features the WindForce cooling system, comprised of a large copper plate, nine composite copper heat pipes, and three 100 mm cooling fans. While the aesthetics are different, what is more notable is that Gigabyte optimized the design of the cooler, making it significantly more compact.
Gigabyte didn't reduce in the graphics card's length, though. The GeForce RTX 4090 WindForce 24G and GeForce RTX 4090 WindForce V2 24G are still 13 inches (331mm) long. However, the latter isn't as wide or tall as the regular one. With the GeForce RTX 4090 WindForce V2 24G, Gigabyte lowered the width from 5.9 inches (150mm) to 5.4 inches (136mm), representing a 9% reduction.
Like many custom GeForce RTX 4090 models that aren't liquid-cooled, the GeForce RTX 4090 WindForce 24G features a triple-slot design. With V2, however, Gigabyte could trim the graphics card down to a 2.5-slot design. That means dropping the height from 2.8 inches (70mm) down to 2.2 inches (55.5mm), which resulted in the V2 being approximately 21% shorter.
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One of the concerns with the original model has to do with the structural integrity of the graphics card. While it was a triple-slot design, the GeForce RTX 4090 WindForce only had two tabs to secure it to the case. As a result, although the graphics card has a metal backplate to provide additional structural support, there was always the possibility of sagging.
On the other hand, the GeForce RTX 4090 WindForce V2 24G supports and comes with Gigabyte's anti-sag bracket. Unlike other holders or braces that basically have you put a stick or a piece of tempered glass under the graphics card, the anti-sag bracket from Gigabyte lets you fasten the graphics card to the motherboard standoffs using the two screws on the lower right corner of the motherboard. Obviously, there are specific requirements, such as the motherboard's design, clearance space, and the position of the primary PCIe expansion slot.
The most noteworthy change on the GeForce RTX 4090 WindForce V2 24G is Gigabyte's decision to place the 16-pin power connector on the rear of the graphics card. Not many vendors do that on consumer graphics cards. When EVGA was still in the graphics card business, the manufacturer was fond of placing the power connectors on the back of the graphics card, like on some of the brand's custom GeForce RTX 3090 Ti models. Many felt that having the power connectors on the back of the graphics card is easier to maneuver the cables since there is generally more clearance space in that area in comparison to the little space between the graphics card and the side panel. Given the fragility of the 16-pin power connector, users must be careful when bending it.
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The different placement of the 16-pin power connector implies that the GeForce RTX 4090 WindForce V2 24G may potentially be using a different PCB design Than the original. Nonetheless, the graphics card still features the same 2,520 MHz core clock as the first revision; therefore, Gigabyte didn't touch the specifications. it certainly makes you think whether the triple-cooler was necessary in the first place.
It's unknown when the GeForce RTX 4090 WindForce V2 24G will be available or if it'll carry a premium over the regular model. Unfortunately, we haven't found the new revision at any retailers.
Zhiye Liu is a news editor, memory reviewer, and SSD tester at Tom’s Hardware. Although he loves everything that’s hardware, he has a soft spot for CPUs, GPUs, and RAM.
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BillyBuerger That seems like a much more usable location for a power connector. Both for dealing with keeping the cable straight and easier to route and keep out of the way.Reply -
SyCoREAPER No picture with the new connector location? I can't foresee how it will work. I have a larger midtower and there is Zero room on the backside.Reply
I'd just get a GPU bracket/brace or stand and a 160 Adapter if space is an issue. -
BillyBuerger I had to stare at the pictures for too long to see it myself. You can only really see it in picture 3 of 4 right above the 'e' in Geforce.Reply -
slurmsmckenzie Reply
I have a Torrent Compact and discovered that the Windforce was one of few AIB 4090s that would fit in that case without removing the front 180mm fans - looks like the V2 will no longer fit due to the new placement of the power connector. Doesn't bother me though as I'm not planning on getting a 4090 and I do think it is a better location for the power connector if space allows.sycoreaper said:No picture with the new connector location? I can't foresee how it will work. I have a larger midtower and there is Zero room on the backside.
I'd just get a GPU bracket/brace or stand and a 160 Adapter if space is an issue.
EDIT: I see the connector might not be right at the end of the card so maybe not too bad for front fans but given the stiffness of the connector might still be a bit of an issue for smaller cases. -
SyCoREAPER Reply
Ohhh I don't know why I thought they meant the opposite side. Maybe it was GN recent coverage of pins being on the backside of MBs. Well that's still far from ideal. For me it would hit the front 140'sBillyBuerger said:I had to stare at the pictures for too long to see it myself. You can only really see it in picture 3 of 4 right above the 'e' in Geforce. -
ramntry The new location for the connector is shown well in the Twitter post referenced in the article, as well as on Gigabyte's product page for the card: It's at the end of the PCB of the card facing further along the card, but that's only about 2/3 through the length of the card, because the last 1/3 of it has no PCB (like most 4090 designs) but only the heatsink, which in case of this new V2 Windforce has a giant cut out 1/2 the width and 1/2 the height of the cooler (which makes it 1/2 the width and the entire height of the heatsink), clearly allowing to gradually bend the connected power cable in whichever direction necessary, getting it out of the way of either the length of the card (like was possible in V1), or the width of the card (which is only possible with V2), or even both (bending the cable upwards) instead. With a vertical mount the latter would be "behind the card" hiding the cable from view altogether.Reply
It looks like a great design, modulo the cable getting in the way of the airflow (which is probably not really an issue at all, not sure).
Of course, the most interesting question is whether clearly reduced bill of materials here will be passed along to the user, lowering the price (I highly doubt it), or at least allow us to see this in retail at the same price (hopefully?), and the second interesting question is whether it will be as cool and quiet as V1 or not. -
Papusan Reply
In short what Gigabut say... Less metal and shorter heat pipes don't make worse cooling capacity... Why not remove even more of the metal and use even shorther heatpipes?ramntry said:Of course, the most interesting question is whether clearly reduced bill of materials here will be passed along to the user, lowering the price (I highly doubt it), or at least allow us to see this in retail at the same price (hopefully?), and the second interesting question is whether it will be as cool and quiet as V1 or not. -
gifona 2.x slots is OK for this class of card but just 1x HDMI 2.1 is not, unless you plan to upgrade in under 3 years (which I'm not, especially if I'm buying a 4090)Reply