Founders Edition GPUs Are Actually the Cheapest Option

Nvidia's Founders Edition graphics cards may seem like limited-edition models, but they're actually the first ones to leave manufacturing plants. These GPUs are essentially stock models that subsequent versions are based on.

The latest example is Nvidia's RTX 5090, which has 21,760 CUDA Cores and a basic clock speed of 2.01 GHz. However, third-party manufacturers like Asus release their own variants with more features, such as the TUF RTX 5090, which has three fans and a clock speed starting at 2.41 GHz.

While these upgraded models may seem appealing, they often come with trade-offs, including larger sizes that take up more space in PC cases and motherboards. In fact, Asus' TUF RTX 5090 requires 3.6 slots compared to the standard Founders Edition's two slots.

The price difference is also significant, with Nvidia selling the GeForce RTX 5090 for $1,999 at launch, while the TUF RTX 5090 had a range of prices from $2,299.99 to $3,099.99. While it may be tempting to wait for GPU sales and upgrade your components, buying a Founders Edition card at launch can save you money in the long run.

In fact, Nvidia's Founders Edition cards are often the cheapest option, and adopting early can help you avoid aftermarket costs. Additionally, waiting for GPU sales can depreciate your other components, making it more expensive to upgrade later on.