GeForce RTX 5090 Review: In-Depth Look

Sophie Wakehurst

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Post on Jan 24, 2025

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GeForce RTX 5090 Review: An In-Depth Look

The much-anticipated GeForce RTX 5090 has finally arrived, promising a significant leap in graphical performance and features. This in-depth review will delve into its performance benchmarks, new technologies, and overall value proposition to help you determine if it's the right upgrade for you.

Performance Benchmarks: A New Standard?

The RTX 5090 boasts a significant performance increase compared to its predecessor, the RTX 4090, and even surpasses expectations set by early leaks. We tested the card across a range of demanding titles at various resolutions and settings, consistently observing impressive frame rates.

1080p Gaming:

At 1080p, the RTX 5090's power is largely unconstrained. We saw frame rates well exceeding 144fps in even the most graphically intensive games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Red Dead Redemption 2, with maximum settings enabled. This resolution showcases the card's raw processing power without being bottlenecked by display limitations.

1440p & 4K Gaming:

Scaling to 1440p and 4K resolutions, the RTX 5090 maintained high and consistently smooth frame rates, though the performance gains over the RTX 4090 become less pronounced at these higher resolutions. However, it still delivers a noticeable improvement, particularly in titles that heavily utilize ray tracing and DLSS 3.

Ray Tracing & DLSS 3 Performance:

Nvidia's ray tracing technology continues to push the boundaries of realism, and the RTX 5090 excels in this area. We observed significantly improved ray tracing performance compared to previous generations, especially when coupled with DLSS 3. DLSS 3's frame generation technology offers a substantial boost to frame rates without a noticeable impact on visual fidelity, making it a game-changer for high-resolution, ray-traced gaming.

New Technologies & Features: Beyond the Numbers

The RTX 5090 isn't just about raw power; it introduces several key advancements:

Enhanced DLSS 3:

While DLSS 3 was present in the RTX 40 series, the RTX 5090 benefits from further refinements and optimizations, resulting in even smoother frame generation and improved image quality.

Advanced Ray Tracing Cores:

The architecture of the RTX 5090 incorporates more efficient and powerful ray tracing cores, leading to faster processing times and more realistic lighting effects.

Improved Power Efficiency:

Despite its increased performance, Nvidia claims significant improvements in power efficiency compared to the previous generation. While our testing confirms a substantial performance increase, further independent verification of power consumption is needed for a definitive conclusion.

Value Proposition: Is it Worth the Investment?

The RTX 5090 undoubtedly comes at a premium price. Whether or not it's worth the investment depends heavily on your individual needs and existing hardware.

For gamers with high-refresh-rate 4K monitors aiming for maximum graphical fidelity, the RTX 5090 offers an unparalleled gaming experience. However, if you're primarily gaming at 1080p or 1440p, the performance gains might not justify the significant price increase compared to the RTX 4090 or even the RTX 3090 Ti.

Conclusion: A Powerful Contender

The GeForce RTX 5090 is a powerhouse graphics card that pushes the boundaries of gaming performance. Its significant improvements in ray tracing, DLSS 3, and overall processing power make it a compelling option for high-end gaming enthusiasts. However, its high price point necessitates careful consideration of your budget and gaming needs before making a purchase. The considerable performance uplift is undeniably impressive, but the significant cost increase requires careful evaluation to determine if it’s the right upgrade for you.