Nvidia initially released the mobile versions of its RTX 4090 and RTX 4080 graphics cards in early 2023. However, there is now a notable trend of GPUs originally intended for laptops being repurposed and sold as desktop units.
This shift was identified on Goofish, a China-based online retailer, where companies are offering laptop versions of Nvidia GPUs, specifically the RTX 4090M and RTX 4080M, for desktop use.
The ‘new’ RTX 4090M graphics card designed for desktops features 16GB of GDDR6 memory. A significant number of desktop RTX 4090s have reportedly been repurposed, purportedly to support China’s AI computing infrastructure. This development follows US sanctions that prohibited the sale of several powerful Nvidia GPUs in the country. In addition to the China-exclusive RTX 4090 D, PC gamers in the country now have the option to purchase the RTX 4090 M.
The repurposed RTX 4080M is priced between 2800 to 3000 CN¥, approximately $400 in the US. Meanwhile, the RTX 4090M is listed at a significant 13800 CN¥, translating to a staggering price of over $1900. Interestingly, this version of the RTX 4090M, derived from a laptop GPU, appears to be more expensive than its desktop counterpart. Even the newly released RTX 4090 D for China is priced 800 CN¥ lower, making it a more favorable option.
While there are certain advantages to purchasing such a card, the overall value may be questionable. The laptop RTX 4090M, for example, boasts lower power consumption and requires only a dual fan for cooling. This practice of converting laptop GPUs into fully-fledged desktop cards has been observed before, particularly with the previous-gen RTX 20/30 Series, carried out by certain Chinese companies.
However, it’s important to note that the performance of these mobile RTX 40 graphics cards is lower, with reductions in CUDA core count and VRAM. The RTX 4080M, as indicated in the Goofish listing, features a 12GB GDDR6 VRAM capacity compared to the 16GB on the desktop RTX 4080.
The Nvidia branding on these cards, particularly on the fans, raises suspicions as they are not genuine GPUs manufactured by an official AIB partner of Nvidia, such as MSI, Gigabyte, Asus, and others. It’s challenging to determine whether the manufacturer provides an official warranty, but it is assumed to be unlikely.
For gamers in China, these GPUs may be more suitable for hobbyists with a specific preference for this type of card. However, most PC gamers are advised to consider alternatives, such as the RTX 4070, instead of opting for the RTX 4080M or RTX 4090M GPU. Nvidia has also introduced a more affordable RTX 4080 Super, along with other updated models, at CES 2024.
What are your thoughts on the availability of the RTX 4090M and RTX 4080M laptop GPUs being sold as desktop cards in China? Share your opinions in the comments below.
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