New Nvidia RTX 4090 GPU spotted from an unlikely source

Suspected Lenovo Legion RTX 4090 graphics card pictured inside a Legion-branded PC case with other components.
(Image credit: @wxnod, Twitter)

As Nvidia’s RTX 4000 GPU reveal presentation on September 20 looms, the leaks just keep coming. Like water through a sieve, yet another RTX 4090 has been sighted, this time by Twitter user @wxnod.

The images provided feature some not-so-subtle pixelation, but this is pretty clearly Lenovo’s own Legion-branded take on the GeForce RTX 4090. As expected from other leaks, it’s a seriously chunky GPU; three fans and a thick, quad-slot design that only just fits inside the pictured case.

This RTX 4090 appears to be powered by a single 12-pin power connector. The leaker later added images of the GPU heatsink, a huge block of metal that appears to feature a whopping 13 heat pipes. It’s unsurprising that the sheer power of the RTX 4090 will demand a lot of cooling, but this looks like a heavy, bulky card.


Analysis: Could Lenovo be planning to break into the discrete GPU game?

Lenovo has obviously sold GPUs in the past, but these have only been modified Nvidia and AMD cards found in Lenovo’s pre-built desktop PCs and laptops. The ‘graphics cards’ section of Lenovo’s own website mostly just features workstation-grade compact GPUs for upgrading Lenovo’s ThinkCentre and ThinkStation systems.

If Lenovo is actually making its own GPUs, we could be in for a treat. A new entry to the third-party graphics card market is always a good thing, serving to drive competition and innovation within the sector. We could also look forward to superior performance from Lenovo’s own pre-built desktop PCs, if this is the case.

Of course, there’s always a chance that this is a different RTX 4090 that wasn’t made specifically by Lenovo. Although the card is surrounded by clearly Lenovo Legion-branded components, it’s impossible to tell if there is any Legion branding on the GPU itself. And while the color scheme does match, that’s not really proof, so take this leak with an appropriate serving of salt.

Heat sink of suspected Lenovo Legion RTX 4090 graphics card, showing copper heat pipes underneath.

(Image credit: @wxnod, Twitter)

There’s also a chance that this could be a limited edition card produced to drive Lenovo’s desktop PC sales in the wake of the RTX 4000 launch. There’s no indication that we’ll see any other new cards from Lenovo, such as the expected RTX 4080.

Regardless, we’re eagerly awaiting the arrival of Nvidia’s new GPUs. You can check out everything we know so far right here, and if you’re strapped for cash then this new series launch could provide some succor; RTX 3000 series pricing is dropping, and those current-gen cards will probably get even cheaper once RTX 4000 goes on sale. In any case, you can check out our favorite graphics card deals while you wait.

Via VideoCardz

Christian Guyton
Editor, Computing

Christian is TechRadar’s UK-based Computing Editor. He came to us from Maximum PC magazine, where he fell in love with computer hardware and building PCs. He was a regular fixture amongst our freelance review team before making the jump to TechRadar, and can usually be found drooling over the latest high-end graphics card or gaming laptop before looking at his bank account balance and crying.

Christian is a keen campaigner for LGBTQ+ rights and the owner of a charming rescue dog named Lucy, having adopted her after he beat cancer in 2021. She keeps him fit and healthy through a combination of face-licking and long walks, and only occasionally barks at him to demand treats when he’s trying to work from home.

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