Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 Founders Edition: In-Depth Review

Every couple of years, Nvidia introduces a groundbreaking graphics card that pushes the boundaries of PC gaming into a new era. The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 is one such marvel, designed to usher in next-generation performance through innovative means. While the leap in performance from the RTX 4090 might not be as dramatic as expected in certain games without DLSS Frame Generation, the introduction of Nvidia’s next-generation DLSS technology revolutionizes both upscaling and frame generation. This advancement offers significant enhancements in image quality and performance, surpassing traditional generational improvements.

The extent to which the RTX 5090 enhances your gaming experience largely depends on the games you play, your preferred resolution, and your comfort with AI-generated frames. For gamers not using a 4K monitor with a 240Hz refresh rate, the upgrade may not be compelling. However, for those equipped with high-end displays, the AI-generated frames 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, the RTX 5090 powers not just gaming but also the AI models behind data centers and supercomputers. While excelling in AI tasks, Nvidia has also enhanced its gaming capabilities.

The RTX 5090 boasts more Streaming Multiprocessors (SMs) within the same Graphics Processing Clusters (GPCs), resulting in a substantial increase to 21,760 CUDA cores from the RTX 4090's 16,384. This 32% increase in shader cores significantly boosts raw gaming performance. Each SM includes four Tensor Cores and one RT Core, totaling 680 Tensor Cores and 170 RT Cores, compared to 512 and 128 in the RTX 4090. The 5th-generation Tensor Cores enhance AI performance with support for FP4 operations, reducing VRAM dependency.

The RTX 5090 is equipped with 32GB of GDDR7 VRAM, a step up from the RTX 4090’s GDDR6X, offering improved speed and efficiency. Despite requiring 575W of power—a notable increase over the RTX 4090's 450W—efficiency isn’t the primary focus for this powerhouse.

Nvidia has upgraded the DLSS algorithm to run on a Transformer Neural Network (TNN), enhancing image quality and minimizing artifacts like ghosting. Additionally, the introduction of Multi-Frame Generation allows for the creation of multiple frames from each rendered image, significantly boosting frame rates when used appropriately.

Purchasing Guide

The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 will be available starting January 30, with a starting price of $1,999 for the Founders Edition. Third-party cards may be more expensive.

The Founders Edition

Despite its high power draw of 575W, the RTX 5090 Founders Edition impressively fits into a dual-slot chassis with a dual-fan configuration. During testing, temperatures peaked at 86°C, which is higher than the RTX 4090 but still within safe limits.

The design features a compact PCB and a unique cooling system where air is drawn from the bottom and expelled through the top. The RTX 5090 maintains the sleek design language of its predecessors, complete with a silver ‘X’ design and a white LED 'GeForce RTX' logo.

The new 12V-2x6 power connector, while similar to the previous generation, promises improved efficiency. Nvidia includes an adapter in the box to connect four 8-pin PCIe power connectors, with a more secure and angled design.

DLSS 4: Fake Frames?

Nvidia claims the RTX 5090 can boost performance up to 8x, primarily through its innovative frame generation capabilities rather than traditional rendering. DLSS 4's Multi-Frame Generation, powered by a new AI Management Processor (AMP) core, efficiently manages GPU workload, creating up to three AI frames per rendered frame.

In testing, the RTX 5090 delivered impressive results in games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Star Wars Outlaws, significantly increasing frame rates with minimal artifacts. However, these benefits are most pronounced with high-end 4K displays.

RTX 5090 – Performance

The RTX 5090 offers a substantial generational leap in raw performance, as evidenced by 3DMark benchmarks. However, real-world gaming performance often faces CPU bottlenecks, particularly at 4K resolutions. For gamers with existing high-end GPUs, the RTX 5090's benefits may not be immediately apparent, but it sets the stage for future titles.

In games like Call of Duty Black Ops 6 and Cyberpunk 2077, the RTX 5090 showed modest improvements over the RTX 4090, with more significant gains in titles like Metro Exodus and Total War: Warhammer 3. However, some games like Assassins Creed Mirage experienced performance issues, likely due to driver bugs.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 – Benchmarks

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The RTX 5090 is currently the fastest consumer graphics card available, but its full potential will be realized with future games that can leverage its advanced capabilities. For those willing to invest in the future of AI-powered gaming, the RTX 5090 offers a cutting-edge experience. For others, the RTX 4090 remains a powerful choice for the foreseeable future.