Nvidia has expanded its list of affected graphics cards due to a manufacturing issue, confirming that some early RTX 5080 cards are also missing render units. This news comes after the company initially acknowledged the problem in the RTX 5090, RTX 5090D, and RTX 5070 Ti models.

The issue, which affects less than 0.5% of the affected GPUs, results in one fewer render output unit (ROP) than specified, leading to a 4% average graphical performance impact. However, Nvidia assures that AI and Compute workloads are not affected.

The confirmation came after a Redditor discovered the issue in their RTX 5080 card and worked out a deal to hand it over to GamersNexus for further investigation. Nvidia's GeForce global PR director, Ben Berraondo, stated that affected consumers can contact the board manufacturer for a replacement, and that the production anomaly has been corrected.

This development is the latest in a series of annoyances surrounding Nvidia's new RTX 50-series GPUs. While the company is taking steps to address the issue, it may still impact consumer confidence in the brand. The RTX 5080, in particular, has been affected, which could have implications for gamers and content creators relying on the card's performance.

It's worth noting that Nvidia has assured that no other GPUs, including the upcoming RTX 5070, are affected by this issue. The company's full amended statement reads: "We have identified a rare issue affecting less than 0.5% of GeForce RTX 5090 / 5090D, RTX 5080, and 5070 Ti GPUs which have one fewer ROP than specified. The average graphical performance impact is 4%, with no impact on AI and Compute workloads. Affected consumers can contact the board manufacturer for a replacement. The production anomaly has been corrected."

The incident highlights the importance of quality control in the manufacturing process, especially for high-performance components like graphics cards. As the gaming industry continues to push the boundaries of graphics and performance, manufacturers must ensure that their products meet the promised specifications to maintain consumer trust.

In the meantime, affected consumers can take comfort in Nvidia's promise of replacements and the company's efforts to correct the production anomaly. However, the incident serves as a reminder to always thoroughly inspect and test new hardware components to ensure they meet the advertised specifications.