Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 Founders Edition Review

Every couple of years, Nvidia unveils a powerhouse graphics card, pushing PC gaming into a new era. The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 is no exception, though its approach to next-generation performance is unique. In many games, the performance boost over the RTX 4090 isn't as dramatic as expected—at least without DLSS Frame Generation. However, the next generation of Nvidia's DLSS, for both upscaling and frame generation, delivers incredible leaps in image quality and performance, surpassing typical generational improvements.

The RTX 5090's upgrade value depends heavily on your games, resolution, and tolerance for AI-generated frames. For those with anything less than a 4K, 240Hz monitor, this upgrade might not be worthwhile. But with a high-end display, the AI-generated frames offer a glimpse into the future of gaming.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 – Photos

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RTX 5090 – Specs and Features

The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 utilizes Blackwell, Nvidia's high-end architecture powering data centers and supercomputers behind many popular AI models. This hints at the RTX 5090's strengths, but Nvidia hasn't neglected non-AI aspects.

The 5090 packs more Streaming Multiprocessors (SMs) into the same number of GPCs (Graphics Processing Clusters), resulting in 21,760 CUDA cores—a 32% increase over the RTX 4090's 16,384. This significant boost in shader cores fuels raw gaming performance.

Each SM retains four Tensor Cores and one RT Core, like its predecessor. This translates to 680 Tensor Cores and 170 RT cores, compared to the RTX 4090's 512 and 128, respectively. The 5th-generation Tensor Cores are optimized for AI performance, now supporting FP4 operations, reducing VRAM dependency in AI workloads.

This silicon powerhouse is paired with 32GB of GDDR7 VRAM, a generational leap from the RTX 4090's GDDR6X. It's faster and more power-efficient, but the RTX 5090's 575W power requirement (a substantial increase over the 4090) makes power efficiency secondary.

Improved Tensor Core efficiency allowed Nvidia to shift the DLSS algorithm to a Transformer Neural Network (TNN) from a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN). While frame rates with DLSS enabled aren't necessarily improved, Nvidia claims image quality is enhanced, reducing ghosting and artifacts.

Beyond the internal DLSS changes, Nvidia introduces Multi-Frame Generation, refining the Frame Gen tech from the RTX 4090. It's more efficient and smoother, generating multiple frames from each rendered image. This dramatically boosts frame rates but, like its predecessor, should only be enabled with already decent frame rates.

Purchasing Guide

The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 launched January 30th, starting at $1,999 (Founders Edition). Third-party cards will likely be significantly more expensive.

The Founders Edition

The RTX 5090's 575W power requirement surpasses the RTX 4090's 450W. This increased power demands robust cooling. While expecting a larger card than the RTX 4090, Nvidia surprisingly created a smaller, dual-slot design with dual fans.

During testing (including standard benchmarks and DLSS 4 with multi-frame generation), temperatures peaked around 86°C at 578W power consumption. While higher than the RTX 4090's 80°C, it's below throttling levels.

Nvidia achieved this by centralizing the PCB (printed circuit board) and using a heatsink spanning the card's width, with fans drawing air from the bottom and expelling it through the top. Unlike previous generations, there are no exhaust vents under the rear output ports.

The design maintains a similar aesthetic to previous generations, with a silver 'X' design and a 'GeForce RTX' logo with white LEDs.

The power connector, while similar to the 12VHPWR connector, is a new 12V-2x6 connector, supposedly more efficient. An included adapter uses four 8-pin PCIe power connectors to supply the required 575W. The angled connector on the card improves cable management.

This design allows compatibility with smaller PC builds, unlike the RTX 4090 and 3090. However, third-party designs will likely be larger.

DLSS 4: Fake Frames?

Nvidia claims the RTX 5090 can boost performance up to 8x. While not that high in reality, it achieves extremely high frame rates in demanding games, primarily through frame generation. While the RTX 5090 offers a raw rasterization performance increase, the real next-gen benefit is frame generation.

DLSS 4's 'Multi-Frame Generation' improves upon DLSS 3's Frame Generation. A new AI Management Processor (AMP) core efficiently assigns tasks across the GPU, traditionally handled by the CPU. This GPU-based processing improves efficiency.

Nvidia states the AMP and 5th-generation Tensor Cores create a 40% faster frame generation model using 30% less memory. It generates three AI frames per rendered frame, using a Flip Metering algorithm to mitigate latency. This explains why it doesn't work on RTX 4000 cards; the previous generation relied on CPU frame pacing, introducing more latency.

This isn't a magic solution; it's most effective with already acceptable frame rates (around 60fps without Frame Gen). Enabling it with lower frame rates can cause significant latency. Pairing it with DLSS upscaling maximizes performance.

At launch, DLSS 4 supported numerous games with DLSS 3 Frame Generation. Testing was limited to beta builds of Cyberpunk 2077 and Star Wars Outlaws.

In Cyberpunk 2077 at 4K with Ray Tracing Overdrive and DLSS Performance, the RTX 5090 achieved 94fps. DLSS 2x frame generation increased this to 162fps (a 2x improvement), and 4x frame generation reached 286fps. Similar results were seen in Star Wars Outlaws, reaching around 300fps with DLSS 4.

Multi-Frame Generation works surprisingly well, with minimal artifacts observed. High-end 4K displays are necessary to fully benefit from it. While promising, further testing across a wider game library is needed.

RTX 5090 – Performance

The RTX 5090 is incredibly powerful, but testing revealed complexities. 3DMark showed generational improvement over the RTX 4090 in raw performance. However, in games, the RTX 5090 often faced CPU bottlenecks, even at 4K, even when paired with a Ryzen 7 9800X3D. For those with high-end cards, the upgrade may not be transformative. It's a future-proofing investment for upcoming titles.

DLSS 4 was disabled for comparative benchmarks, using public drivers (Nvidia 566.36, AMD Adrenalin 24.12.1). Games were tested on their latest public 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

In 3DMark, the RTX 5090 was up to 42% faster than the RTX 4090 (Speed Way: 14,399 vs 10,130; Port Royal: 36,946 vs 25,997). Compared to the RTX 3090, the performance jump was 2.5x.

Call of Duty Black Ops 6 showed CPU bottlenecking at 4K Extreme settings (DLSS Performance: 161fps RTX 5090 vs 146fps RTX 4090 – a 10% difference). Compared to the RTX 3090 (91fps), it was nearly a 2x improvement.

Cyberpunk 2077 also showed a 10% performance increase at 4K with Ray Tracing Ultra and DLSS Performance (125fps RTX 5090 vs 112fps RTX 4090). Lower resolutions showed less scaling.

Metro Exodus: Enhanced Edition (DLSS disabled) at 4K Extreme showed a 25% improvement over the RTX 4090 (95fps RTX 5090 vs 76fps RTX 4090) and more than doubled the RTX 3090's performance.

Red Dead Redemption 2 at 4K max settings (DLSS Performance) showed a minor 6% performance uplift (167fps RTX 5090 vs 151fps RTX 4090).

Total War: Warhammer 3 (no ray tracing or upscaling) showed a 35% performance improvement (147fps RTX 5090 vs 107fps RTX 4090).

Assassin's Creed Mirage initially showed poor performance due to a likely driver bug, but even after resolution, the performance was lower than the RTX 4090.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 – Benchmarks

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Black Myth: Wukong at 4K Cinematic Preset (DLSS 40%) showed a 20% performance increase (104fps RTX 5090 vs 84fps RTX 4090).

Forza Horizon 5 showed negligible difference (216fps RTX 5090 vs 210fps RTX 4090).

The RTX 5090, while the fastest consumer graphics card, doesn't always deliver a massive generational leap over the RTX 4090 in current games. Its strength lies in its AI capabilities, making it ideal for those seeking cutting-edge technology and willing to invest in an AI-powered gaming future. For most, the RTX 4090 remains powerful enough for several years.