Every few years, Nvidia releases a groundbreaking graphics card that ushers PC gaming into a new era. The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 is one such card, pushing the boundaries of performance in a unique way. While it doesn't offer a significant leap in performance over the RTX 4090 in many games without DLSS Frame Generation, the introduction of the next-generation Nvidia DLSS for upscaling and frame generation marks a substantial advancement in both image quality and performance.
The extent to which the Nvidia RTX 5090 will benefit you depends on the games you play, your preferred resolution, and your willingness to use AI-generated frames. For gamers not using a 4K monitor with a 240Hz refresh rate, the upgrade might not be compelling. However, if you own a high-end display, the AI-generated frames can provide a glimpse into the future of gaming.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 – Photos
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RTX 5090 – Specs and Features
Built on Nvidia's high-end Blackwell architecture, which powers many leading AI models in data centers and supercomputers, the RTX 5090 excels in AI-related tasks. Yet, Nvidia hasn't overlooked traditional gaming performance. The RTX 5090 packs more Streaming Multiprocessors (SMs) into its Graphics Processing Clusters (GPCs), boosting the CUDA core count to 21,760 from the RTX 4090's 16,384, a 32% increase. This upgrade significantly enhances raw gaming performance.
Each SM includes four Tensor Cores and one RT Core, totaling 680 Tensor Cores and 170 RT Cores, up from 512 and 128 respectively in the RTX 4090. The 5th-generation Tensor Cores enhance AI performance with new support for FP4 operations, reducing VRAM dependency.
Accompanied by 32GB of GDDR7 VRAM, a step up from the RTX 4090's GDDR6X, the RTX 5090 promises faster and more power-efficient memory. Despite requiring 575W of power, a substantial increase from the RTX 4090's 450W, the focus on efficiency is evident.
The new Tensor Cores enable a shift in the DLSS algorithm to a Transformer Neural Network (TNN), improving image quality and reducing artifacts like ghosting. Nvidia also introduces Multi-Frame Generation, an advanced version of the RTX 4090's Frame Gen technology, capable of generating multiple frames from each rendered image to significantly boost frame rates.
Purchasing Guide
The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 will be available starting January 30, with the Founders Edition priced at $1,999. Be aware that third-party cards may cost significantly more.
The Founders Edition
The RTX 5090's 575W power requirement, higher than the RTX 4090's 450W, demands advanced cooling solutions. Surprisingly, Nvidia managed to fit this power into a dual-slot chassis with dual fans. Despite reaching temperatures up to 86°C, the card does not throttle.
The RTX 5090's design retains the familiar silver 'X' and gunmetal-gray chassis from previous generations, with a white LED-lit 'GeForce RTX' logo. It features a new 12V-2x6 power connector, included with an adapter for four 8-pin PCIe power connectors. The angled and secure power connector design facilitates easier installation and fits better in smaller PC builds compared to its predecessors.
DLSS 4: Fake Frames?
Nvidia claims the RTX 5090 can boost performance up to 8x, primarily through its ability to generate additional frames. DLSS 4's Multi-Frame Generation, powered by a new AI Management Processor (AMP) core, efficiently assigns work across the GPU, reducing latency and enhancing performance.
This technology requires a solid baseline frame rate to be effective, ideally around 60 fps without frame generation. When combined with DLSS upscaling, it maximizes performance. At launch, DLSS 4 will support 75 games, including beta versions of Cyberpunk 2077 and Star Wars Outlaws, where it demonstrated impressive frame rate boosts.
Courtesy of Nvidia RTX 5090 – Performance
Testing the RTX 5090 revealed a generational improvement over the RTX 4090 in synthetic benchmarks like 3DMark, where it achieved up to a 42% performance increase. However, real-world game performance often showed CPU bottlenecks, even with a top-tier Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor.
In games like Call of Duty Black Ops 6 and Cyberpunk 2077, the RTX 5090 showed only a 10% performance uplift over the RTX 4090 at 4K. Metro Exodus: Enhanced Edition and Total War: Warhammer 3 demonstrated more substantial improvements, with 25% and 35% increases respectively, showcasing the RTX 5090's potential in raw rasterization performance.
However, games like Red Dead Redemption 2 and Forza Horizon 5 showed minimal performance gains, highlighting the RTX 5090's dependence on future game optimizations. The RTX 5090 is clearly geared towards future-proofing, particularly for upcoming titles like The Witcher 4.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 – Benchmarks
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While the RTX 5090 is the fastest consumer graphics card available, its immediate benefits in current games are limited. Nvidia's focus on AI-powered gaming, particularly through DLSS 4, positions the RTX 5090 as a forward-looking investment. For gamers on the cutting edge willing to spend $1,999 or more, the RTX 5090 promises a glimpse into the future of gaming. For others, the RTX 4090 remains a powerful choice for the next few years.
