Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090

GPU Description

The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 is positioned as the top-tier offering in Nvidia's RTX 50 series, utilizing the latest Blackwell architecture with 21,760 CUDA cores and a hefty 32GB of GDDR7 VRAM. It's aimed at those who chase the highest possible performance in both gaming and professional applications. However, when we look at real-world benchmarks, the narrative shifts slightly from Nvidia's claims. Without the aid of DLSS 4 and its frame generation, the RTX 5090 shows a more modest improvement over its predecessor, the RTX 4090. Independent tests reveal that in raw rasterization performance at 4K, the RTX 5090 is approximately 20-30% faster than the RTX 4090, a significant but not groundbreaking leap considering its price.

For gamers and creators, the RTX 5090 does shine in scenarios where DLSS 4 can be fully leveraged, offering frame rates that can double in certain games when all new tech is enabled. However, this performance comes at the cost of increased power consumption and heat output, with a TDP of 575W that requires substantial cooling and power supply considerations. While it's a statement piece for high-end builds, the question of value becomes prominent when you balance the cost against the performance gains, especially for those not using the latest AI-driven features extensively.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Leading Performance: When DLSS 4 is in play, it offers significant frame rate improvements in supported games.
• High VRAM: 32GB of GDDR7 memory ensures longevity and capability for future applications.
• AI and Ray Tracing: Advanced Tensor and RT cores make it excellent for AI tasks and ray tracing.

Cons:

• Power Consumption: Its 575W TDP is a substantial jump from the RTX 4090, impacting your overall system build and running costs.
• Price vs. Performance: The cost might not match the raw performance gain for those not fully utilizing DLSS 4.
• Heat Output: Requires robust cooling solutions, potentially limiting case compatibility or increasing noise levels.