Leadtek has officially entered the GeForce RTX 50-series market, quietly unveiling three new models in its WinFast lineup. The Taiwanese manufacturer, known for its NVIDIA-based professional solutions, has largely focused on workstation and HPC markets in recent years, making its return to gaming GPUs notable. These new additions—WinFast RTX 5090 HURRICANE 32G, RTX 5080 HURRICANE 16G, and RTX 5070 Ti HURRICANE 16G—mark a fresh push into the consumer segment, although they are expected to remain exclusive to Asian markets.
A Closer Look at the WinFast HURRICANE Series
Leadtek’s latest offerings align with NVIDIA’s reference specifications but feature robust cooling enhancements. The company has integrated a triple-fan cooling solution coupled with an extensive heatsink array, boasting ten heat pipes—three 10 mm and seven 8 mm variants—designed to maximize heat dissipation. These heat pipes, along with large aluminum fins and a vapor chamber base, aim to maintain optimal thermal performance under load.
The RTX 5090 HURRICANE, positioned as the flagship model, features a slightly bulkier design compared to its lower-tier siblings. It incorporates “Esports” ARGB lighting strips, setting it apart aesthetically. Meanwhile, the RTX 5080 and RTX 5070 Ti HURRICANE models sport a more subdued design with silver-toned accents instead of RGB elements.
Design and Cooling Innovations
The cooling system is a key highlight of the WinFast HURRICANE lineup. The triple-fan configuration ensures efficient airflow across the heat sink, while the improved metal backplate provides additional structural reinforcement. The combination of these features suggests that Leadtek has engineered the cooling solution to handle higher thermal loads, even though the cards adhere to NVIDIA’s standard specifications.
Market Availability and Pricing
At the time of writing, pricing details for the WinFast RTX 50-series HURRICANE models remain undisclosed. Additionally, an official press release from Leadtek is yet to be published. Given Leadtek’s historical focus on Asian PC gaming markets, these cards are unlikely to see a global launch. The brand has remained relatively low-profile in the gaming segment outside of Asia, with previous WinFast GPU models primarily catering to local consumer bases.
Leadtek’s Role in the NVIDIA Ecosystem
While Leadtek is a long-standing NVIDIA partner, its involvement in consumer gaming GPUs has been sporadic in recent years. The company has primarily focused on professional-grade hardware, such as NVIDIA’s data center and AI-driven solutions. Interestingly, NVIDIA rarely highlights Leadtek’s contributions in its official press material, despite the manufacturer’s role in producing professional and gaming GPUs.
Conclusion
Leadtek’s foray into the GeForce RTX 50-series with the WinFast HURRICANE lineup signals a renewed interest in gaming GPUs. With a strong cooling solution and an aggressive design, these models have the potential to offer competitive performance in their respective segments. However, their limited availability outside of Asia may disappoint Western enthusiasts looking for alternative RTX 50-series options. More details, including pricing and regional availability, are expected to emerge in the coming months.
Sources: Leadtek RTX 50 Series, VideoCardz
