NVIDIA is about to roll out its new GeForce RTX 5090 D V2 in China tomorrow, but the launch is already sparking heated debate. Created to comply with new US export restrictions, this version swaps out the original RTX 5090 D’s 32 GB of GDDR7 VRAM for 24 GB and trims the memory bus down to 384-bit.
On paper, it’s a clear downgrade – yet early listings show no mercy on price.
Board partner Colorful has already listed four different editions of the RTX 5090 D V2 on a major Chinese e-commerce platform. Prices start at a hefty 20,699 Yuan (about $2,880 USD) and go as high as 20,999 Yuan (~$2,900 USD). That’s far above earlier expectations, which had suggested a drop to around 14,000 Yuan – roughly $830 less than the outgoing model. If these early numbers hold, Chinese buyers will be paying the same price for a cut-down card.
Some industry watchers say NVIDIA might simply be matching the old 5090 D’s MSRP because leftover stock has already sold out – with some units even fetching over $5,000 abroad. Meanwhile, the full-fat RTX 5090 continues to find its way into China through unofficial channels, sometimes converted into AI accelerators. In some cases, stripped PCBs from these cards have even slipped back into the market through grey supply chains.
The controversy has sparked plenty of snark in online communities. Critics argue the D V2 is a raw deal, calling it ‘inferior hardware at premium pricing,’ and warning gamers not to get trapped by NVIDIA’s regional tactics. Others point to AMD as a better value option, while some take shots at NVIDIA for ‘mental gymnastics’ over its China strategy. With launch day just hours away, all eyes are on whether the pricing will stick – or if NVIDIA blinks under the backlash.