Nvidia has unveiled the RTX 5090, a $2,000 powerhouse that redefines what’s possible for small gaming PC builds. Announced during CEO Jensen Huang’s keynote presentation, the RTX 5090 Founders Edition is so compact it fits seamlessly into the smallest gaming PC cases, including small form factor (SFF) or mini-ITX builds. These cases, known for their space constraints, can now house the world’s fastest gaming system thanks to Nvidia’s SFF-ready program.
What Is Nvidia’s SFF-Ready Program?
Introduced last year, Nvidia’s SFF-ready program eliminates the guesswork for gamers building compact PCs. Small form factor cases often have razor-thin tolerances, making it frustrating when a high-end graphics card doesn’t fit. The program provides a compatibility tool where case and GPU manufacturers collaborate to ensure their products work together.
The RTX 5090 Founders Edition adheres to the program’s strict guidelines:
- Maximum Height: 151mm (including power cable bend radius)
- Maximum Length: 304mm
- Maximum Depth: 50mm (2.5 slots)
At just 304mm x 40mm x 137mm, the RTX 5090 Founders Edition meets these requirements with room to spare.
RTX 5000 Series Joins the SFF-Ready Database
Nvidia has expanded its SFF-ready database to include a range of RTX 5000 series models. While the RTX 5090 Founders Edition is currently the only SFF-compatible 5090, several partner RTX 5080 cards have been certified, including:
- Zotac Gaming GeForce RTX 5080 SOLID CORE
- MSI GeForce RTX 5080 Ventus 3X OC White
- INNO3D GeForce RTX 5080 X3
- Gigabyte GeForce RTX 5080 AERO OC SFF
- Asus ProArt GeForce RTX 5080 and Prime GeForce RTX 5080
The RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 will launch later this month at $1,999 and $999, respectively. The 5090 boasts 32GB of GDDR7 memory, while the 5080 offers 16GB, matching its predecessor. Additional models like the RTX 5070 Ti and RTX 5070 are slated for February release, priced at $749 and $549.
A Dream Combo: RTX 5090 and AMD’s Ryzen 9 9950X3D
Pairing the RTX 5090 with AMD’s newly announced Ryzen 9 9950X3D processor could create the ultimate compact gaming system. The Ryzen 9 9950X3D offers:
- 13% faster content creation performance than the Ryzen 9 7950X3D
- 20% better gaming performance than Intel’s Core Ultra 9 285K
This makes it the top processor of 2025 and an ideal match for the RTX 5090 in building a PC no larger than a shoebox.
The Future of Compact Gaming PCs
The RTX 5090 sets a new standard for small form factor gaming. Its compatibility with mini-ITX cases, combined with cutting-edge performance, brings high-end gaming to even the most compact builds. With Nvidia’s SFF-ready program paving the way for easier compatibility, the era of shoebox-sized gaming PCs is here—and it’s faster than ever.
