Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 Founders Edition Review

Every few years, Nvidia releases a groundbreaking, high-performance graphics card that propels PC gaming into a new era. The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 is such a card, but its approach to next-generation performance is unconventional. While it may not show a significant leap over the RTX 4090 in many games without considering DLSS Frame Generation, the new DLSS technology significantly enhances both image quality and performance, offering advancements beyond traditional graphics upgrades.

The upgrade potential of the Nvidia RTX 5090 depends largely on the games you play, the resolution at which you play them, and your comfort with AI-generated frames. For gamers not using a 4K monitor with a 240Hz refresh rate, the upgrade might not be justified. However, for those with high-end displays, 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

The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 leverages Nvidia's Blackwell architecture, which powers data centers and supercomputers used for AI models. This architecture not only boosts AI capabilities but also enhances traditional graphics performance. The RTX 5090 packs more Streaming Multiprocessors (SMs) into the same Graphics Processing Clusters (GPCs), resulting in a 32% increase in CUDA cores, from 16,384 in the RTX 4090 to 21,760. This upgrade significantly boosts 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 support FP4 operations, reducing VRAM dependency for AI workloads. The card also features 32GB of GDDR7 VRAM, a step up from the RTX 4090's GDDR6X, promising faster and more power-efficient memory. However, the RTX 5090's power consumption of 575W indicates a shift towards performance over efficiency.

The new Tensor Cores enable Nvidia to shift the DLSS algorithm to a Transformer Neural Network (TNN), improving image quality and reducing artifacts like ghosting. Nvidia also introduces Multi-Frame Generation with DLSS 4, enhancing frame rates by generating multiple frames from each rendered image, ideal for those already achieving decent frame rates.

Purchasing Guide

The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 becomes available on January 30, starting at $1,999 for the Founders Edition. Be prepared for potentially higher prices from third-party manufacturers.

The Founders Edition

Despite requiring 575W of power, the RTX 5090 Founders Edition surprisingly fits into a dual-slot chassis with a dual-fan setup. This design allows for efficient cooling, with temperatures reaching up to 86°C during testing, higher than the RTX 4090 but still within safe limits. The card's design maintains Nvidia's aesthetic, featuring a silver 'X' design and a lit-up 'GeForce RTX' logo.

The RTX 5090 uses a new 12V-2x6 power connector, which is more efficient and includes an adapter for four 8-pin PCIe power connectors. The angled design of the power connector on the card itself makes installation easier and more secure.

DLSS 4: Fake Frames?

Nvidia claims the RTX 5090 can boost performance up to 8x, largely due to its ability to generate extra frames through DLSS 4's Multi-Frame Generation. This technology, supported by a new AI Management Processor (AMP) core, efficiently assigns tasks within the GPU, reducing latency and enhancing performance. While this isn't a universal solution, it significantly benefits users with high-refresh, high-resolution displays.

Testing in games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Star Wars Outlaws showed impressive frame rate improvements with DLSS 4 enabled, though it's most effective when paired with DLSS upscaling. Nvidia expects 75 games to support DLSS 4 at the RTX 5090's launch, indicating potential for widespread adoption.

RTX 5090 – Performance

The RTX 5090 demonstrates a generational leap in 3DMark benchmarks, but real-world gaming performance varies. In many games, even at 4K, the RTX 5090 is CPU-bound, suggesting limited immediate benefits for those upgrading from a high-end GPU like the RTX 4090. However, it positions itself well for future games that can fully utilize its capabilities.

In games like Call of Duty Black Ops 6 and Cyberpunk 2077, the RTX 5090 shows modest improvements over the RTX 4090, with performance uplifts around 10%. In Metro Exodus: Enhanced Edition and Total War: Warhammer 3, the RTX 5090 performs better, but still, the overall performance gain over the RTX 4090 is not as substantial as the leap from RTX 3090 to RTX 4090.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 – Benchmarks

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The RTX 5090 stands as the fastest consumer graphics card available, but its true potential lies in future games and AI-powered technologies like DLSS 4. For those on the cutting edge of gaming and willing to invest in the future of AI gaming, the RTX 5090 is a compelling choice. However, for others, the RTX 4090 remains a powerful and sufficient option for the foreseeable future.