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, promises a generational leap in PC gaming. However, the performance gains aren't uniformly dramatic across all titles. While raw performance surpasses the RTX 4090, the truly significant advancements lie in its AI-powered features, particularly DLSS 4.

The upgrade's value hinges on your gaming setup and tolerance for AI-generated frames. For users with sub-4K, 240Hz displays, the upgrade might not justify the cost. But for high-end setups, DLSS 4's frame generation capabilities offer a glimpse into the future of gaming performance.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 – Image Gallery

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RTX 5090 – Specifications and Features

Built on Blackwell architecture, the RTX 5090 boasts a significant increase in CUDA cores (21,760 vs. 16,384 in the RTX 4090), resulting in a 32% boost in shader cores. This, coupled with enhanced 5th-generation Tensor Cores (680 vs. 512) and RT Cores (170 vs. 128), fuels both gaming and AI performance. The new Tensor Cores support FP4 operations, reducing VRAM dependency for AI workloads.

The card utilizes 32GB of GDDR7 VRAM, offering speed and efficiency improvements over the RTX 4090's GDDR6X. However, its 575W power consumption is a notable increase.

DLSS 4 leverages a Transformer Neural Network (TNN), improving image quality and reducing artifacts compared to the previous CNN-based approach. Multi-Frame Generation, an evolution of DLSS 3's Frame Generation, generates multiple frames from a single rendered frame, dramatically boosting frame rates. This feature, however, requires a solid baseline frame rate to avoid latency issues and pairs best with DLSS upscaling.

Purchasing Information

The RTX 5090 Founders Edition is priced at $1,999. Third-party models may command higher prices.

Founders Edition Design

Despite its 575W power draw, the Founders Edition is surprisingly compact, fitting within a dual-slot chassis. Nvidia achieved this through a redesigned PCB layout, dual-fan cooling, and a heatsink spanning the card's width. The card's temperature peaks around 86°C under load. The design incorporates a new, more efficient 12V-2x6 power connector, and includes an adapter for four 8-pin PCIe power connectors.

DLSS 4: Addressing "Fake Frames" Concerns

While DLSS 4's frame generation capabilities can significantly increase frame rates, it's not a magic bullet. Optimal performance requires a decent baseline frame rate. The new AI Management Processor (AMP) core enhances efficiency by offloading frame generation tasks from the CPU to the GPU, minimizing latency. Testing in Cyberpunk 2077 and Star Wars Outlaws showed impressive results, with frame rates exceeding 280 fps in some cases with minimal artifacts.

Performance Benchmarks

Benchmarking revealed a generational leap in raw performance in 3DMark, with up to a 42% increase over the RTX 4090. However, real-world gaming performance showed a more nuanced picture. In many titles, CPU bottlenecks limited the performance gains, particularly at 4K. The improvements were more substantial when comparing against the RTX 3090.

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Conclusion

The RTX 5090 is undeniably powerful, but its impact is currently limited by game optimization and CPU bottlenecks. Its true potential lies in its AI-driven capabilities, making it a compelling choice for high-end users invested in the future of AI-enhanced gaming. For others, the RTX 4090 remains a potent option.