NVIDIA’s RTX 50 series, based on the Blackwell architecture, launched in January 2025 with the RTX 5070, 5080, and 5090. These cards have been available for over a year now.
A significant concern has emerged regarding GPU hotspot temperatures, initially highlighted by Wccftech. NVIDIA controversially removed “Hot Spot” sensor data from the RTX 50 series GPUs. Tools like GPU-Z and HWiNFO64 no longer report this specific metric, or initially displayed incorrect values such as 255°C. NVIDIA’s current focus on average temperatures makes it challenging for users to diagnose specific hot spots effectively.
However, Igor’s Lab conducted an in-depth report in April 2025, uncovering a widespread hotspot issue affecting all GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs. This problem extends beyond the GPU die itself to the power delivery systems on the PCB. These areas, often described as “heat nests” below the power supply, are not always actively cooled.
The root cause appears to be the PCB layout, characterized by components placed too closely together, thin copper layers, and inefficient cooling solutions. This design can lead to temperatures exceeding 100°C in these critical hotspot areas. For instance, a PNY GeForce RTX 5070 recorded a hotspot of 107.3°C, while its GPU core maintained a much lower 69.7°C. Similarly, a Palit RTX 5080 showed a hotspot of 80.5°C with a GPU core of 70°C. Such discrepancies indicate significant localized heating.
These elevated temperatures pose a threat to the longevity of the graphics cards. Igor’s Lab suggests that “ageing effects” can begin at temperatures around 80°C, potentially leading to premature card failure within a few years. Their research also demonstrated that applying thermal pads or putty could reduce these hotspot temperatures by approximately 10 degrees Celsius, strongly suggesting a fundamental design flaw rather than merely a silicon characteristic.
NVIDIA’s thermal design guides seem to be based on ideal operating conditions rather than worst-case scenarios, which presents a problem for real-world consumer use. This issue isn’t confined to desktop GPUs; RTX 50 laptops can also experience throttling under heavy loads, particularly in slim designs or warmer environments. Throttling, while a safety feature, results in reduced FPS, stuttering, and louder fan operation, directly impacting performance.
The community’s efforts to unlock hotspot measurements reflect a desire for transparency, especially after NVIDIA’s decision to obscure this diagnostic data point. Hotspot readings were previously invaluable for identifying issues like misaligned coolers or improperly applied thermal paste. While third-party tools like Furmark 2.2 (which added core hotspot temperature monitoring for NVIDIA GPUs in April 2024) offer some insight, they don’t necessarily cover the PCB hotspots. HWiNFO and MSI Afterburner remain useful for general monitoring.
NVIDIA’s upcoming earnings report, scheduled for Wednesday, August 26, 2026, after market close, will be closely watched. It remains to be seen how such thermal reports might influence investor confidence. Rumors suggest the RTX 50 SUPER series is anticipated for early 2027, potentially awaiting 3GB GDDR7 chips. While more Blackwell variants are expected, it is hoped that future revisions will address these critical thermal issues, which currently represent a significant concern for owners of RTX 50 series cards.