The unofficial XOC BIOS for the ASUS ROG Astral RTX 5090 D Gaming OC has been leaked, unlocking a jaw-dropping 2001W power limit. This BIOS is not officially supported by ASUS, meaning it comes with a risk, but for enthusiasts looking to push their GPUs to the extreme, this is a chance to test the limits.
The BIOS enables the RTX 5090 D to draw more than three times the power it was initially designed for, bumping the power draw from a mere 600W to a blistering 2001W via a single 16-pin connector.
The XOC BIOS, which can be downloaded from TechPowerUp, is not verified, so it should only be used by those comfortable with flashing their GPUs. While ASUS discontinued the RTX 5090 D a while ago, the power-hungry nature of this BIOS will make it even more tempting for users who still own one of these cards. The BIOS tweak was first noticed by the user “DarknightOCR” on Overclock forums and has caused quite a stir in the community.
However, the power limits unlocked by this BIOS come with serious risks. The 16-pin power connector is not designed to handle such massive power draws, and users could be in for a burnt connector if they are not careful. The XOC BIOS unlocks the potential for insane performance gains, but caution is key. This modification could bring the card closer to the achievements of the GALAX GeForce RTX 5090 D HOF, which recently set a world record in 3DMark Port Royal by achieving speeds beyond 3.6GHz with nitrogen cooling. But, without the dual 16-pin connectors of the GALAX card, the ASUS version might not reach those same crazy heights.
In conclusion, the XOC BIOS for the ROG Astral RTX 5090 D Gaming OC is a fascinating development for those wanting to push their hardware to the edge. While the BIOS offers insane power potential, the risks of damaging hardware are very real. This is definitely a modification for enthusiasts willing to take the plunge.