Nvidia RTX 5090 Founders Edition: Reviewed

Every few years, Nvidia releases a groundbreaking graphics card that ushers PC gaming into a new era. The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 is precisely this kind of leap, though its approach to next-generation performance is unique. In many games, the performance increase over the RTX 4090 might not be as significant as one might anticipate, especially without considering DLSS Frame Generation. However, with the advent of Nvidia's next-generation DLSS for both upscaling and frame generation, the RTX 5090 offers remarkable improvements in both image quality and performance, surpassing what we typically expect from a new generation of graphics cards.

The extent to which the RTX 5090 feels like an upgrade largely depends on your gaming habits, the resolution at which you play, and your willingness to use AI-generated frames. For those not equipped with a 4K monitor and a 240Hz refresh rate, the upgrade might not be compelling. But for enthusiasts with high-end displays, the AI-generated frames offer a glimpse into the future of gaming.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 – Photos

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RTX 5090 – Specs and Features

The RTX 5090 leverages Nvidia's Blackwell architecture, which powers advanced data centers and supercomputers, highlighting its prowess in AI applications. However, Nvidia has not overlooked traditional graphics performance.

The RTX 5090 boasts an increased number of Streaming Multiprocessors (SMs) within the same Graphics Processing Clusters (GPCs), resulting in 21,760 CUDA cores, a 32% increase over the RTX 4090's 16,384 cores. This boost significantly enhances raw gaming performance.

Each SM includes four Tensor Cores and one RT Core, akin to its predecessor, resulting in 680 Tensor Cores and 170 RT Cores, compared to 512 and 128 in the RTX 4090. The 5th-generation Tensor Cores, optimized for AI tasks, now support FP4 operations, reducing VRAM dependency.

The card features 32GB of GDDR7 VRAM, a significant upgrade from the GDDR6X in the RTX 4090, promising faster and more power-efficient memory. However, with a power consumption of 575W, a substantial increase from the RTX 4090's 450W, power efficiency isn't the primary focus.

Nvidia has enhanced the DLSS algorithm to operate on a Transformer Neural Network (TNN), improving image quality and reducing artifacts like ghosting. Additionally, the introduction of Multi-Frame Generation refines the Frame Gen technology, allowing multiple frames to be generated from each rendered image, significantly boosting frame rates when used appropriately.

Purchasing Guide

The RTX 5090 will be available starting January 30, with a base price of $1,999 for the Founders Edition. Be prepared for potentially higher costs with third-party models.

The Founders Edition

Despite requiring 575W, the RTX 5090 Founders Edition fits into a dual-slot chassis with a dual-fan setup. Nvidia managed to keep temperatures manageable, reaching a maximum of 86°C during testing, slightly higher than the RTX 4090's 80°C but not enough to cause throttling.

The design retains the familiar 'X' and gunmetal-gray aesthetic of recent generations, with a white LED 'GeForce RTX' logo. The new 12V-2x6 power connector, while similar to the previous generation, promises improved efficiency and ease of connection, with an adapter included in the box.

This design allows the RTX 5090 to fit in smaller PC builds, unlike its bulkier predecessors, though third-party designs may be larger.

DLSS 4: Fake Frames?

Nvidia claims the RTX 5090 can boost performance by up to 8x, primarily through AI-generated frames. DLSS 4's Multi-Frame Generation, powered by a new AI Management Processor (AMP) core, efficiently assigns tasks across the GPU, reducing latency and memory usage.

Courtesy of Nvidia

Testing in Cyberpunk 2077 and Star Wars Outlaws showed significant frame rate improvements with DLSS 4, reaching up to 286 fps and 300 fps at 4K, respectively. While these 'Fake Frames' require a solid baseline performance, they are beneficial for users with high-refresh, high-resolution displays.

RTX 5090 – Performance

The RTX 5090 delivers a generational performance increase in benchmarks like 3DMark, with up to a 42% improvement over the RTX 4090. However, in actual games, CPU bottlenecks limit its potential, especially at 4K resolutions.

Testing with a Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPU showed modest performance gains in games like Call of Duty Black Ops 6 and Cyberpunk 2077, with only a 10% increase over the RTX 4090. In Metro Exodus: Enhanced Edition, the RTX 5090 achieved a 25% improvement, while in Red Dead Redemption 2, the uplift was just 6%.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 – Benchmarks

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In Total War: Warhammer 3, the RTX 5090 showcased a 35% performance increase over the RTX 4090, reflecting its potential. However, Assassin's Creed Mirage experienced performance issues likely due to driver bugs.

Black Myth: Wukong and Forza Horizon 5 also showed varying levels of performance uplift, with the RTX 5090 delivering a 20% increase in the former but minimal gains in the latter due to CPU limitations.

While the RTX 5090 is the fastest consumer graphics card available, its immediate impact on gaming performance is somewhat limited by current game engines and CPU capabilities. It represents a forward-looking investment in AI-powered gaming, making it ideal for enthusiasts who are ready to embrace the future of graphics technology. For others, the RTX 4090 remains a powerful choice for the foreseeable future.