Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 Founders Edition Review

The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090: A Leap Forward, But For Whom?

Nvidia's latest flagship, the RTX 5090, promises a generational leap in PC gaming. However, the reality is more nuanced. While raw performance surpasses its predecessor, the RTX 4090, the improvement isn't as dramatic as expected in many games, especially without DLSS Frame Generation. The true generational leap lies in the advancements of DLSS 4, both in upscaling and frame generation, delivering stunning image quality and performance boosts exceeding typical generational improvements.

The RTX 5090's value proposition hinges on your gaming setup and tolerance for AI-generated frames. For users with displays below 4K 240Hz, the upgrade is unlikely to justify the cost. However, 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, already powering leading AI models, the RTX 5090 excels in AI-related tasks. Nvidia increased Streaming Multiprocessors (SMs) within Graphics Processing Clusters (GPCs), resulting in 21,760 CUDA cores (a 32% increase over the RTX 4090). This boosts raw gaming performance. Each SM retains four Tensor Cores and one RT Core, leading to 680 Tensor Cores and 170 RT cores, significantly more than the RTX 4090. The 5th-generation Tensor Cores support FP4 operations, reducing VRAM dependency for AI workloads.

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

DLSS 4's transition to a Transformer Neural Network (TNN) from a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) aims to enhance image quality and reduce artifacts like ghosting. Multi-Frame Generation, an evolution of DLSS 3's Frame Generation, efficiently generates multiple frames per rendered image, drastically improving frame rates. Optimal performance requires a solid baseline frame rate before enabling this feature.

Purchasing Information

The RTX 5090 Founders Edition launched at $1,999. Third-party versions are expected to command higher prices.

Founders Edition Analysis

The 575W power requirement necessitates robust cooling. Surprisingly, Nvidia achieved a dual-slot design with dual fans, unlike the larger triple-slot predecessors. Temperatures peaked around 86°C under full load (578W), remaining below throttling thresholds. This compact design is achieved by centrally positioning the PCB and employing a heatsink spanning the card's width, with fans drawing air from the bottom and expelling it through the top. The absence of rear exhaust vents is a notable design choice.

The aesthetic is similar to previous generations, featuring a silver ‘X’ design and a lit ‘GeForce RTX’ logo. A new angled 12V-2x6 power connector, supposedly more efficient, replaces the 12VHPWR connector, and includes an adapter for four 8-pin PCIe power connectors. This design enables compatibility with smaller PC cases.

DLSS 4: Addressing "Fake Frames" Concerns

While Nvidia initially claimed up to 8x performance boosts, the actual gains are more moderate in raw rasterization. DLSS 4's Multi-Frame Generation, powered by a new AI Management Processor (AMP) core, is the key differentiator. The AMP efficiently assigns tasks across the GPU, improving frame generation speed and reducing memory usage compared to DLSS 3. A Flip Metering algorithm minimizes input lag.

DLSS 4's effectiveness depends on achieving a sufficient frame rate before enabling it. Testing in Cyberpunk 2077 and Star Wars Outlaws (beta builds) demonstrated impressive frame rate increases (e.g., from 94 fps to 286 fps in Cyberpunk 2077 at 4K with Ray Tracing Overdrive and DLSS 4x frame generation). While some minor artifacts were observed, the overall experience was surprisingly smooth. 75 games are expected to support DLSS 4 at launch.

Performance Benchmarks

The RTX 5090 delivers a significant generational improvement in 3DMark benchmarks (up to 42% faster than the RTX 4090). However, real-world game testing revealed CPU bottlenecks, even at 4K with a Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor. In many titles, the performance uplift over the RTX 4090 was less pronounced (around 10% in some cases), highlighting the current limitations of game optimization for this level of GPU power. Exceptions include games like Metro Exodus: Enhanced Edition and Total War: Warhammer 3, where the RTX 5090 showed more substantial gains. An outlier was Assassin's Creed Mirage, which experienced performance issues likely attributable to driver bugs.

Benchmark Results (DLSS 4 disabled unless specified):

• 3DMark: Significant performance gains over RTX 4090 and RTX 3090.
• Call of Duty Black Ops 6: ~10% improvement over RTX 4090 at 4K.
• Cyberpunk 2077: ~10% improvement over RTX 4090 at 4K.
• Metro Exodus: Enhanced Edition: ~25% improvement over RTX 4090 at 4K.
• Red Dead Redemption 2: ~6% improvement over RTX 4090 at 4K.
• Total War: Warhammer 3: ~35% improvement over RTX 4090 at 4K.
• Assassin's Creed Mirage: Performance issues observed (likely driver related).
• Black Myth: Wukong: ~20% improvement over RTX 4090 at 4K.
• Forza Horizon 5: Minimal difference compared to RTX 4090 at 4K.

Conclusion

The RTX 5090 is undeniably the fastest consumer graphics card available. However, its performance gains over the RTX 4090 are less substantial than expected in many current games due to CPU bottlenecks. The card's true strength lies in its DLSS 4 capabilities, particularly Multi-Frame Generation, which delivers impressive frame rates on high-end displays. Therefore, the RTX 5090 is a compelling option for those seeking cutting-edge AI-powered gaming performance and willing to invest in a high-refresh-rate, high-resolution display. For others, the RTX 4090 remains a powerful and cost-effective choice.

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