Community DLSS 5 tests show high power draw on RTX 5090
Early tests of DLSS 5 using community mods on the RTX 5090 show performance matching Nvidia's stated 8ms per frame at 4K. The modded implementation, however, may not reflect official integration via Streamline. Power draw from the 12V-2x6 connector could constrain the GPU's ability to run DLSS 5 at full speed.
The leaked DLSS 5 model first surfaced through NBA2K27 before community modders adapted it for broader use via ReShade and later an Optiscaler package. Testing on the RTX 5090 Founders Edition measured roughly 8ms per frame at 4K output, aligning closely with Nvidia's own published execution time for the model. However, the Optiscaler injection path may carry extra overhead compared to official Streamline integration, meaning official implementations could perform slightly better.
Power delivery emerged as a potential bottleneck. The single 12V-2x6 connector on the Founders Edition may limit sustained DLSS 5 operation, prompting additional testing with MSI's dual-connector Lightning Z, which offers up to 1000W through its Extreme vBIOS. Tests used DLSS Performance upscaling from 1080p input, maximum raster and ray-tracing settings, and excluded frame generation to isolate the model's baseline cost.
This story could affect PC gamers weighing whether to upgrade to RTX 50-series cards, particularly those concerned about power delivery and performance headroom. If DLSS 5's computational demands strain single-connector designs, some users may need higher-capacity power supplies or dual-connector cards, adding cost and complexity. The community mod's popularity also suggests strong demand for the technology, which could pressure Nvidia to ensure official releases are optimized and accessible across its product stack.