NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 D vs NVIDIA N1 20SM Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows no direct head-to-head benchmark comparisons between the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 D and the NVIDIA N1 20SM. The RTX 5090 D has a full set of ten benchmark scores across multiple suites, while the N1 20SM has no recorded benchmark scores in the database. The N1 20SM's average benchmark score is listed as 0, with a percentile rank of 50 against all GPUs, while the RTX 5090 D holds a percentile rank of 92.

For the RTX 5090 D, the strongest results appear in Geekbench Vulkan with a score of 376,915, followed by Geekbench OpenCL at 310,674. In the Passmark suite, the G3D score reaches 44,065, while GPU Compute records 28,396. The DirectX 12 test produces 219, DirectX 11 produces 371, DirectX 10 produces 231, and DirectX 9 produces 434. The 2D graphics score is 1,487. The 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 test yields 14,326.

Since the N1 20SM has no benchmark entries, the nearest rival data for the RTX 5090 D provides the only available performance context. The RTX 5090 D's average benchmark score of 77,712 sits 1.1% above the AMD Radeon RX 6650M XT (76,904), 1.6% below the AMD Radeon RX 6850M XT (78,940), 2.1% below the NVIDIA Tesla P100 PCIe 12 GB (79,396), and 2.4% below the NVIDIA Tesla P100 PCIe 16 GB (79,605). These deltas indicate the RTX 5090 D clusters tightly with those mobile and data center parts in aggregate scoring, despite its much larger memory pool and newer architecture.

Where Each One Wins

The RTX 5090 D wins in every measurable benchmark category because it is the only unit with recorded scores. Its compute-heavy workloads show particular strength, as the Geekbench Vulkan result of 376,915 and OpenCL result of 310,674 represent the highest raw numbers in the dataset. The Passmark G3D score of 44,065 and GPU Compute score of 28,396 further support a pattern of strong general-purpose and graphics throughput. The DirectX 12 score of 219 and DirectX 11 score of 371 indicate modern API support, while the DirectX 9 score of 434 and DirectX 10 score of 231 show backward compatibility with older workloads.

The N1 20SM has no benchmark wins because no test scores exist for it. Its 50th percentile rank and 0 average score place it in the middle of the database distribution by default rather than by measured performance. The N1 20SM's role appears oriented toward integrated graphics, given its IGP slot width, no power connectors, and single HDMI output. The architecture details suggest it targets a different segment entirely, one where raw benchmark scores may not be the primary metric.

For users comparing these two, the RTX 5090 D is the only option with verified performance data. The N1 20SM's absence of scores means any performance assessment must rely on its specification sheet alone, which indicates a far smaller compute configuration.

FAQ

Q: Which GPU has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The RTX 5090 D has an average benchmark score of 77,712. The N1 20SM has an average benchmark score of 0, as no benchmarks are recorded for it.

Q: How does the RTX 5090 D compare to its nearest rivals in aggregate performance?

A: The RTX 5090 D sits 1.1% above the AMD Radeon RX 6650M XT, 1.6% below the AMD Radeon RX 6850M XT, 2.1% below the NVIDIA Tesla P100 PCIe 12 GB, and 2.4% below the NVIDIA Tesla P100 PCIe 16 GB.

Q: What is the memory configuration difference between the two GPUs?

A: The RTX 5090 D uses 32 GB of GDDR7 on a 512-bit bus with 1.79 TB/s bandwidth. The N1 20SM uses 128 GB of LPDDR5X on a 256-bit bus with 273.2 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Which GPU has more shading units?

A: The RTX 5090 D has 21,760 shading units. The N1 20SM has 2,560 shading units.

Q: Does the N1 20SM support DirectX?

A: The N1 20SM lists DirectX as N/A in the database. The RTX 5090 D supports DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2).

Q: What is the boost clock difference?

A: The RTX 5090 D boosts to 2407 MHz. The N1 20SM boosts to 2346 MHz.

Specification Differences

The two GPUs differ across nearly every specification field. The RTX 5090 D uses the GB202 chip with 92,200 million transistors on a 750 mm² die, resulting in a transistor density of 122.9M per mm². The N1 20SM uses the GB20B chip with unknown transistor count on a 382 mm² die, with no density figure recorded.

Memory configurations diverge sharply. The RTX 5090 D offers 32 GB of GDDR7 on a 512-bit bus, delivering 1.79 TB/s bandwidth. The N1 20SM provides 128 GB of LPDDR5X on a 256-bit bus, yielding 273.2 GB/s. The memory clock differs as well, with the RTX 5090 D at 1750 MHz (28 Gbps effective) versus 1067 MHz (8.5 Gbps effective) for the N1 20SM.

Compute resources show a wide gap. The RTX 5090 D has 21,760 shading units, 680 texture mapping units, and 176 render output units. The N1 20SM has 2,560 shading units, 160 TMUs, and 24 ROPs. Ray tracing cores number 170 versus 20, and tensor cores number 680 versus 80.

Clock speeds also differ. The RTX 5090 D has a base clock of 2017 MHz and boost of 2407 MHz. The N1 20SM has a base clock of 741 MHz and boost of 2346 MHz.

Power and physical specifications vary. The RTX 5090 D draws 575 W with a dual-slot design, one 16-pin connector, and a suggested 950 W power supply. The N1 20SM lists unknown TDP, IGP slot width, no power connectors, and no suggested PSU. The RTX 5090 D measures 304 mm by 137 mm by 48 mm. The N1 20SM has no recorded dimensions.

Display outputs differ: the RTX 5090 D provides 1x HDMI 2.1b and 3x DisplayPort 2.1b, while the N1 20SM provides a single HDMI output. Both use PCIe 5.0 x16 interfaces.

API support diverges completely. The RTX 5090 D supports DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4. The N1 20SM lists N/A for DirectX, OpenGL, and Vulkan.

Release timing also differs. The RTX 5090 D launched on 2025-01-29 with a launch MSRP of 2,299 USD. The N1 20SM carries a release date of 2026-05-31 and no launch MSRP.

Architecture Differences

Both GPUs share the Blackwell 2.0 architecture and a 5 nm TSMC process node, but they target fundamentally different segments. The RTX 5090 D belongs to the GeForce 50-series generation, with a predecessor in the GeForce 40 series and a successor in the GeForce 60 series. The N1 20SM belongs to the Blackwell IGP (N1x) generation, with no predecessor or successor listed.

The physical chips reflect this split. The RTX 5090 D uses GB202, a large discrete GPU die. The N1 20SM uses GB20B, a smaller chip integrated into a system context. Die size reinforces the difference: 750 mm² for the RTX 5090 D versus 382 mm² for the N1 20SM. The transistor count of 92,200 million for the RTX 5090 D dwarfs the unknown count for the N1 20SM.

Compute architecture scales accordingly. The RTX 5090 D carries 170 ray tracing cores and 680 tensor cores, figures that align with a high-end discrete graphics card. The N1 20SM carries 20 ray tracing cores and 80 tensor cores, a configuration suited to integrated graphics duties. The RTX 5090 D reaches 104.8 TFLOPS in both FP32 and FP16 (1:1). The N1 20SM reaches 12.01 TFLOPS in both.

Pixel and texture rates show similar scaling. The RTX 5090 D delivers 423.6 GPixel/s and 1,636.8 GTexel/s. The N1 20SM delivers 56.30 GPixel/s and 375.4 GTexel/s.

Memory architecture differs by design intent. The RTX 5090 D uses discrete GDDR7, the N1 20SM uses LPDDR5X, a memory type commonly paired with integrated processors. The RTX 5090 D's 512-bit bus provides high bandwidth for graphics workloads, while the N1 20SM's 256-bit bus supports its lower bandwidth target. The N1 20SM's 128 GB capacity exceeds the RTX 5090 D's 32 GB, indicating a system memory role rather than a dedicated VRAM role.

The RTX 5090 D's production status is Active, as is the N1 20SM's. The API support difference (DirectX 12 Ultimate versus N/A) further confirms the N1 20SM's orientation away from traditional discrete GPU workloads. The RTX 5090 D's dual-slot cooler and 16-pin power connector stand in contrast to the N1 20SM's IGP form factor with no external power requirement.