Laptop-Based GeForce RTX 4090M & RTX 4080M Desktop GPUs Selling in China
Nvidia released the mobile versions of its RTX 4090 and RTX 4080 graphics cards back in early 2023. However, we are now seeing GPUs meant forlaptopsbeing repurposed as desktop units!
This was spotted on Goofish (a China-based online retailer). It turns out that companies have been found selling laptop versions of Nvidia GPUs, the RTX 4090M & RTX 4080M,but for desktops.
The ‘new’ RTX 4090M graphics card for desktops features 16GB GDDR6 memory. Many desktop RTX 4090s have beenrepurposedin thethousandsto allegedly empower the AI computing infrastructure of China. This comes after US sanctions banned the sale of several powerful Nvidia GPUs in the country. Apart from the China-exclusiveRTX 4090 D, PC gamers from the country can also buy the RTX 4090 M now.
This repurposed RTX 4080M costs 2800 to 3000 CN¥, which is around$400in the US. The RTX 4090M is shown to be listed at 13800 CN¥, which comes at a staggering price of ($1900+). It looks like this RTX 4090M, while being based on a laptop GPU, is somehowmore expensivethan thedesktop variant. Even the new RTX 4090 D for China costs 800 CN¥ less, making it a much better deal.
It is quite a weird rendition of what was previously a laptop GPU. There aresomeadvantages to buying a card like this, but it’s probably not worth it. This laptopRTX 4090Mconsumes way less power, only needing a dual fan to keep things cool. We have previously witnessed special Chinese companies like these converting laptop GPUs into fully-fledged desktop cards, on the previous-gen RTX 20/30 Series.
However, the performance of these mobile RTX 40 graphics cards is also lower. The CUDA core count and VRAM both have been reduced. The RTX 4080M, as shown in the Goofish listing, has 12GB GDDR6 VRAM capacity as compared to 16GB on the actual desktop RTX 4080.
The Nvidia branding on these cards, as put on the fans, also looksquite fishy. This is becausethese are not actual GPUsmade by an official AIB partner of Nvidia. Official brands include MSI, Gigabyte, Asus, and more. It is quite hard to judge whether or not themanufacturer’s warrantyis provided, but we assume not.
Even for gamers in China, buying these GPUs is better for hobbyists who specifically seek a card made like this. Most PC gamers should be looking at theRTX 4070instead of this RTX 4080M or 4090M GPU. Nvidia also launched a cheaperRTX 4080 Super, along with other updated models, at CES 2024.
What are your thoughts on the RTX 4090M and RTX 4080M laptop GPUs being sold as desktop cards in China? Let us know in the comments below.
Satyam Kumar
Highly passionate about technology. Major expertise in PC hardware, the VR industry, esports-centric gear, and other gadgets. In my spare time, I’m usually researching exciting hardware breakthroughs or playing competitive games.
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