NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 vs NVIDIA N1X 40SM Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows no direct head-to-head benchmark comparisons between the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 and the NVIDIA N1X 40SM. The head-to-head benchmark field is empty, and the N1X 40SM has no individual benchmark scores listed in the database. This absence of measured results means the comparison must rely on the RTX 5090's documented performance profile and the architectural specifications of both parts.

The RTX 5090 delivers substantial compute throughput in established tests. In 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12, it records a score of 18,355. Geekbench OpenCL shows 334,370 points, while Geekbench Vulkan reaches 376,728 points. Passmark GPU Compute adds 26,756 points, and Passmark G3D contributes 39,650 points. The average benchmark score across all recorded tests for the RTX 5090 is 79,842, placing it in the 92nd percentile of all GPUs in the database. Its nearest rivals sit close: the NVIDIA Tesla P100 PCIe 16 GB averages 79,605, a 0.3% difference, while the Tesla P100 PCIe 12 GB averages 79,396, a 0.6% gap. The AMD Radeon RX 6850M XT trails by 1.1% at 78,940, and the AMD Radeon Pro Vega 64X leads by 1.4% at 80,959.

The N1X 40SM, by contrast, has an average benchmark score of zero and sits in the 50th percentile, with no rival entries recorded. The database contains no measurable performance data for this part, making direct numerical comparisons impossible. The RTX 5090's raw compute figures, including 104.8 TFLOPS FP32 and FP16, dwarf the N1X 40SM's 24.02 TFLOPS in both precisions. Pixel throughput shows a similar gap: 423.6 GPixel/s versus 93.84 GPixel/s. Texture rate measures 1,636.8 GTexel/s against 750.7 GTexel/s.

FAQ

Q: Does the RTX 5090 have any benchmark advantage over the N1X 40SM?

A: The RTX 5090 holds all recorded benchmark scores. Its average benchmark score is 79,842 with a 92nd percentile ranking, while the N1X 40SM has no benchmark entries and a 50th percentile ranking.

Q: What memory configurations do the two GPUs use?

A: The RTX 5090 uses 32 GB of GDDR7 on a 512-bit bus with 1.79 TB/s bandwidth. The N1X 40SM uses 128 GB of LPDDR5X on a 256-bit bus with 273.2 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Are both GPUs based on the same architecture?

A: Yes, both use Blackwell 2.0 architecture, but with different chips. The RTX 5090 uses GB202, while the N1X 40SM uses GB20B. Both are fabricated on a 5 nm TSMC process.

Q: How do the shading unit counts compare?

A: The RTX 5090 has 21,760 shading units, 680 TMUs, 176 ROPs, 170 RT cores, and 680 tensor cores. The N1X 40SM has 5,120 shading units, 320 TMUs, 40 ROPs, 40 RT cores, and 160 tensor cores.

Q: What are the clock speed differences?

A: The RTX 5090 has a base clock of 2017 MHz and a boost clock of 2407 MHz. The N1X 40SM has a base clock of 741 MHz and a boost clock of 2346 MHz.

Q: Which GPU supports which APIs?

A: The RTX 5090 supports DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4. The N1X 40SM lists N/A for DirectX, OpenGL, and Vulkan in the database.

Where Each One Wins

The RTX 5090 wins decisively in every measurable performance category. Its FP32 and FP16 throughput of 104.8 TFLOPS is more than four times the N1X 40SM's 24.02 TFLOPS. Pixel rate favors the RTX 5090 at 423.6 GPixel/s versus 93.84 GPixel/s, a factor of roughly 4.5. Texture rate shows a smaller but still substantial gap: 1,636.8 GTexel/s versus 750.7 GTexel/s, about 2.2 times higher.

Memory bandwidth heavily favors the RTX 5090. Its 1.79 TB/s GDDR7 implementation exceeds the N1X 40SM's 273.2 GB/s LPDDR5X by a factor of over 6.5. The RTX 5090's 512-bit bus width provides double the interface width of the N1X 40SM's 256-bit bus. The RTX 5090 also carries more RT cores (170 versus 40) and more tensor cores (680 versus 160), indicating stronger ray tracing and AI acceleration capabilities.

The N1X 40SM wins in memory capacity. Its 128 GB LPDDR5X pool is four times the RTX 5090's 32 GB. This capacity advantage matters for workloads that require large datasets resident in GPU memory, though the bandwidth constraint limits sustained throughput. The N1X 40SM also operates as an IGP (integrated graphics processor) with no power connectors and no dedicated slot width, while the RTX 5090 is a dual-slot card requiring a 950 W suggested PSU and a 16-pin connector. The N1X 40SM's lower base clock of 741 MHz suggests minimal power draw, though no TDP figure is recorded.

Specification Differences

The two GPUs differ across nearly all recorded specification fields. Memory size: the RTX 5090 has 32 GB, the N1X 40SM has 128 GB. Memory type: GDDR7 versus LPDDR5X. Bus width: 512-bit versus 256-bit. Bandwidth: 1.79 TB/s versus 273.2 GB/s. Shading units: 21,760 versus 5,120. TMUs: 680 versus 320. ROPs: 176 versus 40. RT cores: 170 versus 40. Tensor cores: 680 versus 160. Pixel rate: 423.6 GPixel/s versus 93.84 GPixel/s. Texture rate: 1,636.8 GTexel/s versus 750.7 GTexel/s. FP32 and FP16: 104.8 TFLOPS versus 24.02 TFLOPS.

Clock speeds differ as well. The RTX 5090's base clock is 2017 MHz, boost 2407 MHz, memory clock 1750 MHz (28 Gbps effective). The N1X 40SM's base clock is 741 MHz, boost 2346 MHz, memory clock 1067 MHz (8.5 Gbps effective). Power characteristics: the RTX 5090 has a TDP of 575 W, a dual-slot form factor, one 16-pin connector, and a 950 W suggested PSU. The N1X 40SM has an unknown TDP, IGP slot width, no power connectors, and no suggested PSU. Display outputs: the RTX 5090 offers 1x HDMI 2.1b and 3x DisplayPort 2.1b, while the N1X 40SM lists only 1x HDMI.

Transistor and die details also diverge. The RTX 5090 has 92,200 million transistors on a 750 mm² die, yielding a density of 122.9M per mm². The N1X 40SM has an unknown transistor count on a 382 mm² die. Release dates: the RTX 5090 launched on 2025-01-29, while the N1X 40SM is dated 2026-05-31. The RTX 5090 has a predecessor (GeForce 40) and successor (GeForce 60), while the N1X 40SM lists neither. The RTX 5090 has a launch MSRP of 1,999 USD; the N1X 40SM has none recorded.

Architecture Differences

Both GPUs share the Blackwell 2.0 architecture and a 5 nm TSMC process, but their implementations diverge sharply. The RTX 5090 uses the GB202 chip, a discrete GPU design from the GeForce 50-series. It integrates 92,200 million transistors across a 750 mm² die. The N1X 40SM uses the GB20B chip, belonging to the Blackwell IGP (N1x) generation, with a 382 mm² die and an unknown transistor count.

The RTX 5090's architecture supports a full API stack: DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4. The N1X 40SM records N/A for all three APIs, indicating a different software target, likely focused on integrated graphics duties rather than general-purpose gaming or workstation rendering.

Core configuration differences reflect the scale gap. The RTX 5090's 21,760 shading units, 680 TMUs, and 176 ROPs represent a full discrete implementation. The N1X 40SM's 5,120 shading units, 320 TMUs, and 40 ROPs suggest a more modest integrated design. Ray tracing hardware follows the same pattern: 170 RT cores on the RTX 5090 versus 40 on the N1X 40SM. Tensor core counts: 680 versus 160. The RTX 5090's FP32 and FP16 figures are identical at 104.8 TFLOPS, indicating 1:1 ratio support, and the N1X 40SM matches that 1:1 ratio at 24.02 TFLOPS.

Memory architecture also differs fundamentally. The RTX 5090 pairs GDDR7 with a 512-bit bus for high bandwidth. The N1X 40SM uses LPDDR5X with a 256-bit bus, a configuration typical of integrated parts that share memory with the system. The N1X 40SM's 128 GB capacity suggests it can address large unified memory pools, while the RTX 5090's 32 GB is dedicated GDDR7. The N1X 40SM's IGP form factor with no power connectors reinforces its integrated nature, contrasting with the RTX 5090's discrete card requiring external power.

The Verdict

The data indicates the RTX 5090 is the performance leader by every measured metric. Its recorded benchmarks, average score of 79,842, and 92nd percentile ranking confirm a high-end discrete GPU. The N1X 40SM has no benchmark data and a 50th percentile ranking, offering no evidence of competitive performance. For workloads requiring maximum FP32 throughput, ray tracing, or memory bandwidth, the RTX 5090's 104.8 TFLOPS, 170 RT cores, and 1.79 TB/s bandwidth provide clear advantages.

The N1X 40SM's case rests on memory capacity and integration. Its 128 GB LPDDR5X exceeds the RTX 5090's 32 GB by four times, which suits applications needing large in-memory datasets. Its IGP form factor with no power connectors makes it suitable for compact systems, though the lack of API support and benchmark results limits its documented utility.

The RTX 5090 also carries a launch MSRP of 1,999 USD, while the N1X 40SM has no recorded price. The RTX 5090's release date of 2025-01-29 predates the N1X 40SM's 2026-05-31, meaning the N1X 40SM is a newer entry but without published performance validation. The RTX 5090's predecessor and successor lineage (GeForce 40 and GeForce 60) shows an established product cycle, while the N1X 40SM stands alone with no sequential history.

Users seeking documented, high-performance graphics should select the RTX 5090. The data supports it across compute, memory bandwidth, and API compatibility. Users prioritizing maximum memory capacity in an integrated package might consider the N1X 40SM, but the absence of benchmark scores and API support in the database leaves its real-world performance unverified. The verdict from the recorded data is unambiguous: the RTX 5090 delivers measurable performance, while the N1X 40SM offers capacity and integration without proven results.