When it comes to the GPU rat race, NVIDIA has a knack for shaking up the market with every new release. NVIDIA’s next-generation headliner, the RTX 5090 is officially here with some pretty bold performance claims. The semiconductor chip manufacturer claims that the new RTX 5090 will be twice as fast as the RTX 4090. But is it really worth the hype? Let’s compare the two behemoths and break down the core elements including price, specs, and features.
Table of Contents
| Feature | RTX 4090 | RTX 5090 |
| Architecture | Ada Lovelace | Blackwell |
| CUDA cores | 16,384 | 20,480 |
| Base Clock | 2.23GHz | 2.5GHz |
| DLSS | DLSS3 | DLSS4 |
| Boost Clock | 2.52GHz | 2.9GHz |
| Memory | 24GBDDR6X | 32GBDDR7 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 1,008 GB/s | 1,900 GB/s |
| TDP | 450W | 550W |
| MSRP | $1,599 | $1,999 |
The RTX 5090 packs a punch with jaw-dropping 20,480 CUDA cores, up from the RTX 4090s 16,384. That’s a staggering 25% boost in raw computational power. For gamers and creators alike, this means smoother 4k gameplay, effortless 8k video editing, and a next-gen ray tracing experience that feels buttery smooth.
The RTX 5090s adoption of the new GDDR7 memory sets a new benchmark. With a bandwidth of 1,990 GB/s, textures load faster, frames render seamlessly, and data bottlenecks are nearly non-existent. In contrast, the RTX 4090s had an already impressive bandwidth of 1,008 GB/s which was no pushover. Now, we’ve got nearly double the bandwidth. Talk about POWER!!
DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) also gets a significant upgrade in the RTX 5090. NVIDIAs DLSS4.0 leverages the enhanced Tensor Core performance, resulting in crystal clear images and higher frame rates.
On the ray tracing front, the RTX 5090 features 4th Gen RT Cores that deliver nearly twice the performance in complex lighting and shadow scenarios compared to the RTX 4090s 3rd Gen Cores.
For gamers, this means exploring detailed and immersive virtual worlds with near photorealistic lighting, reflections, and shadows. As for 3D artists and animators, real-time rendering workflows are now a reality.
| Feature | DLSS 3 | DLSS 4 |
| Frame Generation | Generates one additional frame per traditionally rendered frame. | Introduces Multi Frame Generation, producing up to three additional frames per rendered frame, significantly boosting frame rates by up to 8x over traditional rendering.PC Gamer |
| AI Model Enhancements | Utilizes advanced AI models for image upscaling and quality improvement. | Features new transformer AI models that enhance performance, image quality, and reduce ghosting and VRAM usage.The Verge |
| Hardware Compatibility | Supported on RTX 40 Series GPUs. | Requires RTX 50 Series GPUs with fifth-generation Tensor Cores.NVIDIA |
| Performance Impact | Provides significant performance improvements, enabling higher frame rates and resolutions. | Offers up to 8x performance increase over traditional rendering methods, enabling 4K 240fps gaming with full ray tracing. |
| Game Support | Supported in a growing number of games, with developers integrating DLSS 3 features. | Announced support for 75 games and applications at launch, including titles like Alan Wake 2 and Cyberpunk 2077. |
The RTX 5090s 550W TDP is a power-hungry beast compared to the RTX 4090s 450W. You will need a beefier PSU (at least 1,200W) and a case with exceptional airflow. NVIDIA has partnered with AIBs to introduce vapor chamber cooling solutions, ensuring the 5090 stays chill under heavy loads.
Still, the increased power draw translated to performance gains that will leave enthusiasts grinning ear-to-ear. Think of it as a Bugatti- it may guzzle fuel but delivers unsurpassed speed.
Ar $1,999, the RTX 5090 isn’t for the faint of heart. The hefty $400 price increase over the RTX 4090’s MSRP will definitely burn a hole in your wallet. However, if you are someone who needs the absolute best- whether for gaming or video editing, the nearly 100% performance boost may justify the purchase.
If you are rocking an RTX 4090, you might be wondering: do I really need the RTX 5090? For most users, the 4090 is a beast in its own right capable of handling anything you throw at it. However, if you are a professional looking for cutting-edge performance or a millionaire’s gamer child who survives on freshly dropped RPG Games, the RTX 5090 is the future-proofing you have been waiting for.
For those coming from older GPUs like the RTX 3090 or lower, the leap to the RTX 5090 is monumental. Expect jaw-dropping performance, from rendering times to gaming frame rates.
| GPU Model | CUDA Cores | Base Clock | Boost Clock | VRAM | TDP | Price (USD) |
| RTX 5090 | 24,576 | 2.2 GHz | 2.9 Ghz | 24 GB GDDR7 | 600W | $1,999 |
| RTX 5080 | 20,480 | 2.1 GHz | 2.8 Ghz | 20 GB GDDR7 | 450W | $1,499 |
| RTX 5070 Ti | 18,432 | 2.0 GHz | 2.7 Ghz | 16 GB GDDR7 | 350W | $999 |
| RTX 5070 | 15,360 | 1.9 GHz | 2.6 Ghz | 12 GB GDDR7 | 300W | $799 |
Now comes the part you guys have been waiting for- Gaming Performance! We tested various AAA games on both the RTX 4090 and 5090, and let me tell you, RTX 5090 knocked it out of the park at every game we threw at it.
| Game | RTX 5090 (FPS) | RTX 4090 (FPS) | Performance Gain |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 250 | 125 | 100% |
| Far Cry 6 | 152 | 120 | 27% |
| Alan Wake 2 | 90 | 60 | 50% |
| A Plague Tale: Requiem | 145 | 101 | 43% |
As you can see, Cyberpunk 2077 witnessed a nearly 100% performance gain and FPS upgrade on the RTX 5090. Not that we were not satisfied with the 4090, but the 5090 just opened new horizons for gaming. I mean 120FPS at 8K is just brutal.
One thing is for sure, the cost to develop AAA games just got a lot higher since game development studios now have to create 8K resolution and well-optimized reflections, shadows, and lighting in their game worlds to give this GPU a run for its money.
The RTX 5090 is the epitome of what NVIDIA does best- pushing the envelope. While the RTX 4090 set the gold standard for 2023, the 5090 raises the bar so high it’s practically in space now. Whether it’s worth the upgrade depends on your use case, but one thing is for sure, the GPU wars got a new final boss.
According to the announcement from NVIDIA, the RTX 5090 is priced at $1,999.
Yes, the RTX 5090 is far superior in performance to the 4090. According to NVIDIA, the new GPU is twice as powerful as its predecessor.
Along with the RTX 5090, other variants including RTX 5080, RTX 5070Ti, and RTX 5070 have also been launched.
