NVIDIA RTX 5090 Ti Rumors: Full GB202 Chip with 24,576 Cores and Extreme Power Could Emerge in 2026
Wednesday, December 24, 2025NVIDIA RTX 5090 Ti Rumors: Full GB202 Chip with 24,576 Cores and Extreme Power Could Emerge in 2026
NVIDIA's Blackwell generation launched with the powerful RTX 5090 in January 2025, but persistent leaks about a full-spec GB202 prototype keep speculation alive for a potential RTX 5090 Ti or Titan variant. Industry insiders point to an unlocked chip with 24,576 CUDA cores and power demands up to 800W—hinting at a halo product to extend the lineup's dominance before AMD's RDNA 5 high-end push in 2027.
The massive GB202 die at the heart of Blackwell flagships
Leaked prototype showcasing the unlocked GB202 configuration
Blackwell's Hidden Beast: The Full GB202 Die
The retail RTX 5090 uses a cut-down GB202 with 21,760 CUDA cores and 575W TDP. However, early 2025 prototypes revealed the complete silicon, leading to ongoing rumors that NVIDIA may release it as a Ti, Super, or revived Titan to counter competition and satisfy ultra-enthusiasts.
Similar to unreleased full-die Ada prototypes (like a potential RTX 4090 Ti), this could remain engineering-only—or become a limited halo card in 2026.
Broader roadmap context amid intensifying competition
Breaking Down the Prototype Specs
Leaked engineering samples from early 2025 highlight the unlocked potential:
| Configuration | CUDA Cores | Memory | TDP (Rumored) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full GB202 Prototype (Potential Ti/Titan) | 24,576 | 32GB GDDR7 (512-bit, up to 32Gbps) | Up to 800W | 13% more cores than retail |
| Retail RTX 5090 | 21,760 | 32GB GDDR7 (28Gbps) | 575W | Current flagship |
| RTX 4090 (comparison) | 16,384 | 24GB GDDR6X | 450W | Previous gen leader |
Prototypes feature dual 16-pin connectors and higher clocks, but a consumer version would likely balance power for practicality.
Timing and Competition: Super Refresh or Standalone Halo?
RTX 50-series Super models are rumored for late 2025/early 2026 with VRAM boosts, but the full-die prototype stands apart—potentially as a separate ultra-premium release in 2026 to bridge toward Rubin (RTX 60-series).
2025 GPU hierarchy – a full-die card could extend NVIDIA's lead
This aligns with AMD's RDNA 5 flagship targeting 2027, giving NVIDIA room to dominate longer.
Why This Matters for Enthusiasts
A full-die release would deliver:
- Notable raster/RT gains over the RTX 5090
- Enhanced DLSS 4 and AI capabilities
- Ultimate 8K and productivity performance
Challenges include "prohibitively expensive" pricing (potentially $2,500+), extreme power/thermal needs, and possible limited availability as a halo product.
Outlook: Halo Beast or Engineering Legend?
While prototypes excite, history shows full dies often stay unreleased. If it launches in 2026, it could redefine ultra-enthusiast GPUs amid escalating competition.
Stay tuned—fresh leaks often precede decisions. Would you buy an 800W monster? Share in the comments!