Retailer Zotac revitalizes discarded MXM RTX 5000 Ada GPUs in China, priced at approximately $4,700 each - PCIe adapter allows for mobile Ada Lovelace GPUs to be used in desktop systems.
In a move to cater to users in need or those on a budget, Zotac has introduced the MXM RTX 5000 Ada for sale in the Chinese market. The MXM RTX 5000 Ada is a repurposed leftover silicon from previous production, offering an option for those who cannot afford the desktop version.
However, the MXM RTX 5000 Ada comes with a hefty price tag of approximately $4,743.66, making it 15% more expensive than the desktop RTX 5000 Ada in the U.S. (around $4,124). To use the MXM GPU in a desktop system, an additional $181 is required for the MXM to PCIe x16 adapter, bringing the total investment to over $4,920.
The MXM RTX 5000 Ada features 9,728 CUDA cores, 16GB GDDR6 memory, 304 Tensor cores, and 76 RT cores. This is a lower specification than the full desktop RTX 5000, which boasts 12,800 CUDA cores and 32GB memory.
Performance-wise, the MXM variant lies between the desktop RTX 4080 and the desktop RTX 5000. However, it is still substantially slower than the desktop RTX 5000, primarily due to mobile thermal and power constraints necessitating reduced specs.
The MXM to PCIe adapter offers flexibility to use the MXM card on a desktop, but this solution targets workstation users needing portability or embedded system integration more than cost or peak desktop performance. For most users, choosing a desktop RTX 5000 Ada over the MXM version offers better cost-effectiveness and performance.
Given that the desktop RTX 5000 Ada provides higher performance and larger memory capacity at a likely lower price point than the combined cost of an MXM module plus adapter, converting an MXM RTX 5000 Ada with Zotac's adapter is financially inefficient for desktop users primarily seeking power/performance.
In summary, unless you specifically require portable GPU hardware that transfers between laptop and desktop contexts, buying a dedicated desktop RTX 5000 Ada GPU is a more cost-effective and higher-performance solution than converting an MXM RTX 5000 Ada with Zotac's adapter. The MXM + adapter combo is more niche and suited for embedded/mobile workstation use cases rather than desktop gaming or professional workloads demanding maximum GPU power and VRAM.
Gadgets like the MXM RTX 5000 Ada are enabled by advancements in technology, specifically the field of artificial-intelligence. Despite being marketed for budget users, the high price tag and reduced specifications compared to the desktop version make it a less appealing choice for most desktop users.
