NVIDIA Unveils Game-Changing GeForce RTX 5090

The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090: A Leap Forward, But For Whom?

Nvidia's RTX 5090, a high-end graphics card, promises next-generation PC gaming. However, its performance gains over the RTX 4090 are less dramatic than expected in many games, excluding DLSS Frame Generation. The real jump comes from Nvidia's next-gen DLSS, offering significant improvements in image quality and performance, exceeding typical generational leaps.

The RTX 5090's value depends heavily on your gaming setup and preferences for AI-generated frames. For users with monitors below 4K 240Hz, the upgrade is likely unnecessary. However, those with high-end displays will experience the future of gaming with AI-generated frames.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 – Image Gallery

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RTX 5090 – Specifications and Features

Built on Blackwell architecture, the RTX 5090 boasts increased Streaming Multiprocessors (SMs) within the same Graphics Processing Clusters (GPCs), resulting in 21,760 CUDA cores (a 32% increase over the RTX 4090). This contributes significantly to raw gaming performance.

Each SM retains four Tensor Cores and one RT Core, totaling 680 Tensor Cores and 170 RT cores. The 5th-generation Tensor Cores support FP4 operations, reducing VRAM dependency in AI workloads.

The card features 32GB of GDDR7 VRAM, offering faster speeds and improved power efficiency compared to the RTX 4090's GDDR6X. Despite this, the RTX 5090 consumes a substantial 575W.

DLSS improvements include a shift to a Transformer Neural Network (TNN) for the algorithm, aiming for enhanced image quality and artifact reduction. Multi-Frame Generation, an evolution of DLSS 3's Frame Generation, generates multiple frames from each rendered image, drastically boosting frame rates. However, like its predecessor, it's best used with already decent frame rates to avoid latency issues.

Purchasing Guide

The RTX 5090 launched January 30th, starting at $1,999 (Founders Edition). Third-party versions may cost significantly more.

The Founders Edition

Despite its 575W power requirement (a significant increase over the RTX 4090's 450W), the RTX 5090 Founders Edition is surprisingly compact, fitting a dual-slot chassis with dual fans. Temperatures peak around 86°C under load (578W), which is high but avoids throttling.

Nvidia achieved this compact design by centrally positioning the PCB and utilizing a heatsink spanning the card's width, with fans drawing air from the bottom and exhausting it through the top. This eliminates exhaust vents under the rear ports.

The design maintains a similar aesthetic to previous generations, featuring a silver 'X' and a lit 'GeForce RTX' logo. A new, angled 12V-2x6 power connector (supposedly more efficient) replaces the 12VHPWR connector, and an adapter is included for four 8-pin PCIe power connectors.

This design allows for compatibility with smaller PC builds, unlike previous generations. However, third-party cards are expected to be larger.

DLSS 4: Addressing "Fake Frames"

While the RTX 5090 offers raw performance improvements, its true next-generation advantage lies in DLSS 4's Multi-Frame Generation. A new AI Management Processor (AMP) core efficiently manages GPU workload distribution, resulting in a frame generation model 40% faster and 30% less memory-intensive than its predecessor. The AMP's Flip Metering algorithm mitigates latency.

Multi-Frame Generation requires a good baseline frame rate to avoid latency issues; it pairs best with DLSS upscaling. At launch, DLSS 4 supported a range of games, though testing was limited during this review. Results in Cyberpunk 2077 and Star Wars Outlaws were impressive, showing significant frame rate boosts with minimal artifacts.

RTX 5090 – Performance Benchmarks

The RTX 5090 demonstrates significant performance gains in 3DMark, exceeding the RTX 4090 by up to 42%. However, real-world gaming benchmarks reveal CPU bottlenecks, even at 4K with a high-end CPU (Ryzen 7 9800X3D). The performance uplift over the RTX 4090 is less pronounced in many games, suggesting that the full potential of the card isn't yet realized in current game titles. The improvements are more substantial when compared to the RTX 3090.

Testing included Call of Duty Black Ops 6, Cyberpunk 2077, Metro Exodus: Enhanced Edition, Red Dead Redemption 2, Total War: Warhammer 3, Assassin's Creed Mirage, Black Myth: Wukong, and Forza Horizon 5. Results varied, with some games showing only marginal gains over the RTX 4090 while others displayed more substantial improvements. An issue with Assassin's Creed Mirage was noted, possibly due to a driver bug. Benchmarks were conducted without DLSS 4 in most cases.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 – Benchmark Charts

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Conclusion

The RTX 5090 is undeniably powerful, currently the fastest consumer graphics card. However, its performance gains over the RTX 4090 are less dramatic than expected in many current games due to CPU bottlenecks. Its true potential lies in the future of AI-powered gaming, with DLSS 4 significantly boosting frame rates. This makes it ideal for cutting-edge gamers willing to invest in an AI-driven gaming experience; for others, the RTX 4090 remains a powerful option.