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Rating GeForce RTX 5090: Best One or Too Good To Be True?

geforce rtx 5090

Published on: January 17, 2025 | 5 minute read | by Krisa Cortez

The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 comes in hot this month! It has since generated considerable interest due to its anticipated features. The specifications also promise to deliver a top-tier gaming experience unlike never before. Most users expect it to significantly outdo its RTX 4090 predecessor in both performance and capabilities, and is regarded as the fastest graphics card in the GeForce lineup to date. But is this true? Or is the GeForce RTX 5090 enthusiasm overhyped?

Key Specifications and Enhancements

The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 is rumored to be powered by the Blackwell architecture with its considerable upgrades over the previous generation. Notably, the new architecture is expected to introduce a substantial increase in cores compared to the RTX 4090. The card features a memory bandwidth exceeding 1.5TB/s. We’re talking about a 512-bit memory interface that supports GDDR7 VRAM, which provides considerable speed enhancement over the RTX 4090's previous memory interface.

Have a look! This table provides a clear comparison of the key specifications and performance expectations between the Nvidia RTX 5090 vs RTX 4090:

Feature/Aspect GeForce RTX 5090 GeForce RTX 4090
CUDA Cores 24,576 16,384
Tensor Cores 680 512
RT Cores 170 128
VRAM 32 GB GDDR7 24 GB GDDR6X
Memory Bandwidth 1792 GB/s 1008 GB/s
Boost Clock Speed 2407 MHz 2520 MHz
Transistor Count 92 billion 76.3 billion
Die Size 744 mm² 608.4 mm²
Thermal Power Budget (TPB) 575 W 450 W
Launch Price $1,999 $1,599
Launch Date January 2025 October 2022
Expected Performance Improvement Up to 70% in specific scenarios and up to twice with AI features enabled High-performance but specific metrics vary

We rate this feature: 5/5

Performance Expectations

The performance expectations associated with the GeForce RTX 5090 are remarkably high. Reports suggest the card may deliver performance improvements of up to 70% over the RTX 4090, particularly when utilizing features such as ray tracing and Nvidia's new DLSS 4 Multi-Frame Generation technology. This means it is possible to use advanced AI to boost frame rates. Additionally, new fifth-generation Tensor Cores within the card are designed to optimize AI-driven graphical tasks, promising a significant enhancement in tasks such as texture rendering and realism in character animations. Now that’s something to look forward to.

We rate this feature: 5/5

Pricing and Availability

Pricing estimates suggest that the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 price range is between $1,599 and $1,999. This positions it as a premium product within the market. This pricing reflects Nvidia's current product line with higher prices due to increased manufacturing costs while attempting to attract gamers with cutting-edge technology. We’re not a big fan of the idea, considering there can be other alternative GPUs especially for those just looking to get some casual use or on a tight budget. Purchasing the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 graphics card will be more of a preference-versus-practicality decision, so we here at UNIXSurplus suggest you weigh your options carefully.

We rate this feature: 3/5

Market Position and Competition Landscape

The GeForce RTX 5090's arrival is particularly vital because it has the potential to solidify Nvidia's dominance in the graphics card market further. This is in response to AMD’s challenge over the top spot with advanced products. But given Nvidia's current offerings still leading in tasks that require superior ray tracing performance, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 GPU is poised to have the competitive edge. Furthermore, it is expected to support the latest gaming technologies for high-resolution and high-refresh-rate displays. This makes it a leading choice for gamers seeking high performance in modern gaming environments.

We rate this feature: 4/5

The Bad Side

Despite its impressive specifications and performance claims, the GeForce RTX 5090 comes with notable disadvantages. Concerns regarding excessive power consumption have emerged with a rumored thermal design power (TDP) of 575 watts, which requires a robust power supply and potentially escalating electricity bills. Furthermore, while performance claims suggest it could be twice as fast under ideal conditions with AI features enabled, real-world performance improvements may only reach 20% to 40% in games that do not support these advanced features, limiting its overall value for general gaming. Lastly, early reports have highlighted potential issues related to driver stability and compatibility that could impact the user experience.

We rate this feature: 3/5

Conclusion

The combination of advanced specifications, performance capabilities, and cutting-edge technology makes the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 a highly anticipated release. Gamers and tech enthusiasts alike are keenly awaiting further details as review dates approach and the official launch is scheduled for January 30, 2025. This creates a strong buzz around the card, as discussions about its potential circulate within the gaming community.

However, it does come with a caveat. Potential buyers should be aware of significant disadvantages as concerns over increased power consumption, stability, and compatibility have emerged. Not only that, but for a price tag that steep, purchasing may not justify the performance gains. Questions about the overall user experience and value for money could eventually lead some gamers to reconsider.

Our final score: 4/5



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Your Burning Questions with Expert Answers

Question 1: How's the compatibility with older gaming setups for the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090?
Answer:The RTX 5090 supports many features but has a chance to be incompatible on older systems. Another issue is upgrading the power supply and motherboard to utilize this card effectively.

Question 2: Are the power requirements for the GeForce RTX 5090 really that huge?
Answer:The rumored TDP for it is approximately 575 watts. You will need 850W minimum depending on the system configuration overall.

Question 3: How does the RTX 5090 compare to AMD’s latest GPUs?
Answer:The RTX 5090 excels in ray tracing and AI performance, areas where Nvidia traditionally leads. This generally positions it favorably against AMD’s latest GPUs in gaming.

Question 4: Is RTX better than GTX for gaming in 2025?
Answer:Yes, RTX cards like the 5090 offer advanced technologies such as ray tracing and DLSS, resulting in a superior gaming experience compared to GTX models.

Question 5: What is the expected lifespan of the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090?
Answer:The RTX 5090 is expected to perform optimally for about 3-5 years, with its relevance potentially extending longer based on technological advancements and gaming trends.

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