"Forbidden" Disassembly: NVIDIA Laptop RTX "5090" with Water Cooling

The video showcases a disassembly of the NVIDIA RTX “5090” laptop, highlighting its water cooling system, internal components, and thermal management, while expressing skepticism about its performance compared to the RTX “4090.” The presenter critiques the cooling system’s effectiveness and notes that the laptop’s GPU has a lower power draw and CUDA core count than its desktop counterpart, suggesting it may not deliver the expected performance.

The video features a disassembly of the NVIDIA RTX “5090” laptop from XMG, showcasing the unique water cooling system and the internal components of the device. The presenter begins by emphasizing the importance of not disassembling devices privately to prevent electrical failures. They mention that they were not officially part of the launch but had the opportunity to help another channel, Just Josh, with testing. The presenter expresses a mix of excitement and skepticism about the laptop’s performance compared to its predecessor, the RTX “4090.”

The laptop includes a water cooling feature that is described as somewhat gimmicky, with two ports for connecting an external cooling accessory. However, the cooling system did not function properly during testing, leading to concerns about its effectiveness. The presenter discusses the laptop’s thermal management, noting the VRM layout and the cooling solutions employed, including blower fans and heat pipes. The overall design is critiqued for having limited airflow due to obstructions and a lack of ventilation.

As the disassembly progresses, the presenter highlights the differences between the laptop’s GPU and its desktop counterpart. The RTX “5090” laptop version has a significantly lower power draw and CUDA core count compared to the desktop version, suggesting that it may not deliver the performance expected from its naming. The presenter also measures the GPU die size, revealing that it is closer in size to the RTX “5080” than the actual “5090,” indicating that NVIDIA may be repurposing older chips for this laptop model.

The disassembly reveals various internal components, including the battery and memory modules. The presenter notes the use of thermal putty for cooling and discusses the layout of the VRM and heat sinks. They express curiosity about the water cooling solution’s design and effectiveness, particularly in how it connects to the laptop. The presenter also mentions the use of different types of screws and clips during the disassembly process, highlighting the challenges faced when taking apart the device.

In conclusion, the presenter reflects on the experience of working with this laptop, noting that it was a unique opportunity to explore a product they typically do not review. They plan to share thermal data and further insights on the laptop’s performance and cooling capabilities. The video wraps up with a call to support their work through their store and Patreon, as well as encouraging viewers to check out the Just Josh channel for more detailed reviews and testing results.