Nvidia is introducing a graphics card specifically for the Chinese market to adhere to US export regulations. On the Chinese version of Nvidia’s website, the company has announced the RTX 4090D: a GPU that is less powerful than the RTX 4090 available in other regions.
The RTX 4090D features fewer CUDA cores compared to the RTX 4090, with a maximum of 14,592 cores versus 16,384. It also has a slightly lower power consumption, rated at 425W compared to 450W.
Although most other specifications are similar between the two models, the RTX 4090D is approximately “5% slower in gaming and creating,” according to Nvidia spokesperson Benjamin Berraondo.
Nvidia launched this GPU in response to recent US export restrictions on high-end chips destined for China.
These new restrictions not only prevent Nvidia from selling the less-powerful H800 and A800 AI GPUs designed for the Chinese market but also prohibit the sale of the RTX 4090 in the country.
“The GeForce RTX 4090 D has been designed to fully comply with U.S. government export controls,” Berraondo stated, adding that the company “extensively engaged with the U.S. government” during the chip’s development.
The RTX 4090D will become available in China starting in January, priced at ￥12,999 (~$1,836 USD).
Its introduction may address the growing demand for high-performance graphics cards in China, which has reportedly led some factories to dismantle and repurpose the banned RTX 4090 for AI applications.
