Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 Founders Edition Review

The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090: A Next-Gen Leap Fueled by AI

Nvidia's latest flagship, the RTX 5090, ushers in a new era of PC gaming, but its performance gains are surprisingly nuanced. While raw power surpasses its predecessor, the RTX 4090, the real revolution lies in its AI-enhanced capabilities. The performance jump isn't consistently dramatic in all games, especially without DLSS Frame Generation. However, DLSS 4, with its enhanced upscaling and multi-frame generation, delivers breathtaking improvements in image quality and frame rates, exceeding typical generational leaps.

The RTX 5090's value proposition hinges on your gaming setup and tolerance for AI-generated frames. For those with sub-4K, sub-240Hz displays, the upgrade is less compelling. But for high-end display owners, the AI-generated frames offer a glimpse into the future of gaming.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 – Image Gallery

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RTX 5090 – Specifications and Features

Built on Blackwell architecture, the RTX 5090 leverages the same high-end technology powering leading AI models. This architecture excels in AI processing, but Nvidia hasn't neglected traditional gaming performance.

The 5090 boasts a significant increase in CUDA cores (21,760 vs. 16,384 in the RTX 4090), a 32% jump contributing to raw gaming power. Each Streaming Multiprocessor (SM) includes four Tensor Cores and one RT Core, resulting in substantial improvements over the RTX 4090's core count. The 5th-generation Tensor Cores, supporting FP4 operations, enhance AI performance and reduce VRAM dependency.

The card utilizes 32GB of GDDR7 VRAM, a generational upgrade offering speed and efficiency improvements over GDDR6X. However, its 575W power consumption (a significant increase from the RTX 4090's 450W) reveals power efficiency isn't a primary design focus.

The improved Tensor Cores enable a shift to a Transformer Neural Network (TNN) for the DLSS algorithm, promising enhanced image quality and reduced artifacts. Furthermore, Multi-Frame Generation, an evolution of DLSS 3's Frame Generation, generates multiple frames from each rendered image, drastically boosting frame rates. As with previous generations, optimal results require a solid baseline frame rate before enabling this feature.

Purchasing Guide

The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 launched January 30th, starting at $1,999 (Founders Edition). Third-party cards command significantly higher prices.

The Founders Edition

The 575W power requirement necessitates robust cooling. Surprisingly, Nvidia managed to fit this powerful GPU into a dual-slot chassis with dual fans. During testing, temperatures peaked around 86°C at 578W power draw – high, but not throttling.

This compact design is achieved by centrally positioning the PCB, with fans drawing air from below and expelling it through the top. The absence of rear exhaust vents distinguishes it from previous generations.

Aesthetically, the Founders Edition maintains a similar design language to its predecessors, featuring a silver 'X' design and illuminated 'GeForce RTX' logo. The power connector is a new, supposedly more efficient 12V-2x6 connector, requiring four 8-pin PCIe power connectors via an included adapter. The angled connector placement improves cable management.

This compact design allows compatibility with smaller PC builds, unlike previous generations. However, third-party versions are likely to be larger.

DLSS 4: AI-Generated Frames

Nvidia boasts up to 8x performance boosts with DLSS 4. While not consistently reaching this level, the RTX 5090 achieves exceptionally high frame rates, primarily through AI-generated frames. While raw rasterization performance improves, the real next-gen advantage lies in frame generation.

DLSS 4's Multi-Frame Generation, powered by a new AI Management Processor (AMP) core, efficiently assigns tasks across the GPU, reducing CPU workload. The AMP, combined with 5th-generation Tensor Cores, creates a 40% faster frame generation model using 30% less memory, generating three AI frames per rendered frame. A Flip Metering algorithm mitigates latency.

Multi-Frame Generation's effectiveness depends on a sufficient baseline frame rate (around 60fps). Enabling it with low frame rates can introduce significant latency. Pairing it with DLSS upscaling maximizes performance.

At launch, DLSS 4 supported a range of games already compatible with DLSS 3 Frame Generation. Testing on beta builds of Cyberpunk 2077 and Star Wars Outlaws revealed impressive results, with frame rates exceeding display capabilities. While minor artifacts were observed, they were largely inconsequential.

RTX 5090 – Performance Benchmarks

The RTX 5090 demonstrates generational improvements in 3DMark benchmarks. However, real-world gaming performance reveals CPU bottlenecks, even at 4K with a high-end CPU (Ryzen 7 9800X3D). For users with high-end graphics cards, the upgrade's impact might be less transformative than expected. This card positions itself for future games demanding higher performance.

Benchmarks were conducted without DLSS 4, using public drivers (Nvidia 566.36, AMD Adrenalin 24.12.1) and latest game builds.

Test System:

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
• Motherboard: Asus ROG Crosshair X870E Hero
• RAM: 32GB G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo @ 6,000MHz
• SSD: 4TB Samsung 990 Pro
• CPU Cooler: Asus ROG Ryujin III 360

3DMark showed up to a 42% performance increase over the RTX 4090. However, game benchmarks revealed more modest gains, often limited by CPU bottlenecks. In several titles, the performance uplift over the RTX 4090 was only around 10%, though significantly higher compared to the RTX 3090. Metro Exodus: Enhanced Edition, tested without DLSS, showed a 25% improvement over the RTX 4090. Total War: Warhammer 3, without ray tracing or upscaling, demonstrated a 35% performance increase. An issue with Assassin's Creed Mirage resulted in lower performance than the RTX 4090, likely due to a driver bug. Black Myth: Wukong showed a 20% improvement, and Forza Horizon 5 showed negligible differences.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 – Benchmark Charts

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While the RTX 5090 is undeniably the fastest consumer GPU, its performance gains over the RTX 4090 are less dramatic than expected in many current games due to CPU bottlenecks. Its true potential will be realized as future games leverage its capabilities.

The RTX 5090's success hinges on the future of AI-powered gaming. DLSS 4's frame generation technology is impressive, but requires a high-end display to fully benefit. For those seeking cutting-edge technology and willing to invest significantly, the RTX 5090 is a worthwhile upgrade. For others, the RTX 4090 remains a powerful option for several years.