Nvidia has once again raised the bar for graphics cards with its new GeForce RTX 50 series. This lineup showcases impressive advancements in core counts, clock speeds, and memory configurations, promising to deliver unparalleled gaming experiences and accelerate demanding tasks like 3D rendering and AI development. The series includes the RTX 5090, 5080, 5070 Ti, and 5070, each catering to different needs and budgets.
From the high-end RTX 5090 with its massive 32 GB GDDR7 memory to the more budget-friendly RTX 5070, there is a graphics card for everyone. These GPUs are built on the new Blackwell architecture and feature cutting-edge technologies like ray tracing, DLSS 4, and Reflex, ensuring smooth frame rates, stunning visuals, and low-latency gaming. Whether you’re a hardcore gamer, a content creator, or an AI researcher, the RTX 50 series has something to offer.
Nvidia RTX 50 Series GPU Comparison Table
Here’s the comparison table for the RTX 50-series GPUs, comparing the RTX 5090, RTX 5080, RTX 5070 Ti, and RTX 5070
| Feature | GeForce RTX 5090 | GeForce RTX 5080 | GeForce RTX 5070 Ti | GeForce RTX 5070 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GPU Engine Specs | ||||
| NVIDIA CUDA® Cores | 21760 | 10752 | 8960 | 6144 |
| Shader Cores | Blackwell | Blackwell | Blackwell | Blackwell |
| Tensor Cores (AI) | 5th Gen, 3352 AI TOPS | 5th Gen, 1801 AI TOPS | 5th Gen, 1406 AI TOPS | 5th Gen, 988 AI TOPS |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 4th Gen, 318 TFLOPS | 4th Gen, 171 TFLOPS | 4th Gen, 133 TFLOPS | 4th Gen, 94 TFLOPS |
| Boost Clock (GHz) | 2.41 | 2.62 | 2.45 | 2.51 |
| Base Clock (GHz) | 2.01 | 2.30 | 2.32 | 2.16 |
| Memory Specs | ||||
| Standard Memory Config | 32 GB GDDR7 | 16 GB GDDR7 | 16 GB GDDR7 | 12 GB GDDR7 |
| Memory Interface Width | 512-bit | 256-bit | 256-bit | 192-bit |
| Technology Support | ||||
| NVIDIA Architecture | Blackwell | Blackwell | Blackwell | Blackwell |
| Ray Tracing | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| NVIDIA DLSS | DLSS 4, Super Resolution, DLAA, Ray Reconstruction, Frame Generation, Multi Frame Generation | DLSS 4, Super Resolution, DLAA, Ray Reconstruction, Frame Generation, Multi Frame Generation | DLSS 4, Super Resolution, DLAA, Ray Reconstruction, Frame Generation, Multi Frame Generation | DLSS 4, Super Resolution, DLAA, Ray Reconstruction, Frame Generation, Multi Frame Generation |
| NVIDIA Reflex | Reflex 2, Low Latency Mode, Frame Warp (Coming Soon) | Reflex 2, Low Latency Mode, Frame Warp (Coming Soon) | Reflex 2, Low Latency Mode, Frame Warp (Coming Soon) | Reflex 2, Low Latency Mode, Frame Warp (Coming Soon) |
| NVIDIA Broadcast | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| PCI Express Gen 5 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Resizable BAR | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| NVIDIA App | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| NVIDIA Ansel | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| NVIDIA FreeStyle | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| NVIDIA ShadowPlay | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| NVIDIA Highlights | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| NVIDIA G-SYNC® | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Game Ready Drivers | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| NVIDIA Studio Drivers | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| NVIDIA Omniverse | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| RTX Remix | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Microsoft DirectX® 12 Ultimate | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| NVIDIA GPU Boostâ„¢ | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| NVIDIA NVLinkâ„¢ (SLI-Ready) | No | No | No | No |
| Vulkan 1.4, OpenGL 4.6 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| NVIDIA Encoder (NVENC) | 3x Ninth Gen | 2x Ninth Gen | 2x Ninth Gen | 1x Ninth Gen |
| NVIDIA Decoder (NVDEC) | 2x Sixth Gen | 2x Sixth Gen | 1x Sixth Gen | 1x Sixth Gen |
| AV1 Encode | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| AV1 Decode | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| CUDA Capability | 12.8 | 12.8 | 12.8 | 12.8 |
| VR Ready | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Display Support | ||||
| Maximum Digital Resolution (1) | 4K at 480Hz or 8K at 120Hz with DSC | 4K at 480Hz or 8K at 120Hz with DSC | 4K at 480Hz or 8K at 120Hz with DSC | 4K at 480Hz or 8K at 120Hz with DSC |
| Standard Display Connectors | 3x DisplayPort(2), 1x HDMI(3) | 3x DisplayPort(2), 1x HDMI(3) | 3x DisplayPort(2), 1x HDMI(3) | 3x DisplayPort(2), 1x HDMI(3) |
| Multi Monitor | up to 4 | up to 4 | up to 4 | up to 4 |
| HDCP | 2.3 | 2.3 | 2.4 | 2.4 |
| Card Dimensions | ||||
| Length | 304 mm | 304 mm | Varies | 242 mm |
| Width | 137 mm | 137 mm | Varies | 112 mm |
| Slots | 2-Slot | 2-Slot | Varies | 2-Slot |
| SFF-Ready Enthusiast GeForce Card | Founders Edition Yes, Varies | Founders Edition Yes, Varies | Varies | Founders Edition Yes, Varies |
| Thermal and Power Specs | ||||
| Maximum GPU Temperature (in C) | 90 | 88 | 88 | 85 |
| Total Graphics Power (W) | 575 | 360 | 300 | 250 |
| Required System Power (W) | 1000 | 850 | 750 | 650 |
| Supplementary Power Connectors | 4x PCIe 8-pin OR 1x 600W PCIe Gen 5 | 3x PCIe 8-pin OR 1x 450W PCIe Gen 5 | 2x PCIe 8-pin OR 300W PCIe Gen 5 | 2x PCIe 8-pin OR 300W PCIe Gen 5 |
| Pricing | $1,999 | $999 | $749 | $549 |
| Release Date | January 30, 2025 | January 30, 2025 | February 2025 | February 2025 |
This table provides a comprehensive comparison of the four RTX 50 series cards announced.
Breaking Down the RTX 50 Series: A Comparison of NVidia’s Latest GPUs
CUDA Cores and Clock Speeds
The RTX 5090 leads the pack with a staggering 21,760 CUDA cores, more than double the 10,752 found in the RTX 5080. The RTX 5070 Ti and RTX 5070 follow with 8,960 and 6,144 cores, respectively. These cores are crucial for parallel processing, which is essential for gaming and other graphics-intensive tasks.
In terms of clock speeds, the RTX 5080 boasts the highest boost clock at 2.62 GHz, while the RTX 5070 comes in close behind at 2.51 GHz. The RTX 5070 Ti and RTX 5090 have slightly lower boost clocks of 2.45 GHz and 2.41 GHz, respectively. While clock speed is important, the architecture and number of CUDA cores also play a significant role in overall performance.
Memory Configurations
The RTX 5090 stands out with its massive 32 GB GDDR7 memory and a 512-bit memory interface. The RTX 5080 and RTX 5070 Ti both feature 16 GB GDDR7 memory with a 256-bit interface, while the RTX 5070 has 12 GB GDDR7 memory and a 192-bit interface. More memory and a wider interface allow for faster data transfer, which can improve performance in memory-intensive tasks.
Technology and Features
All four cards share the same Blackwell architecture, support for ray tracing, and the latest DLSS 4 technology with features like Super Resolution, DLAA, Ray Reconstruction, and Frame Generation. They also support NVIDIA Reflex for low latency gaming, NVIDIA Broadcast for AI-powered streaming tools, and are compatible with PCI Express Gen 5 for increased bandwidth.
The RTX 5090 has a slight advantage in encoding capabilities with three Ninth Generation NVENC encoders, compared to two in the RTX 5080 and 5070 Ti, and one in the RTX 5070. This can be beneficial for streamers and content creators who need to encode video quickly and efficiently.
Power Consumption
As expected, the more powerful cards draw more power. The RTX 5090 has a Total Graphics Power (TGP) of 575W and requires a 1000W power supply. The RTX 5080 has a TGP of 360W and needs an 850W PSU, while the RTX 5070 Ti and RTX 5070 have TGPs of 300W and 250W, requiring 750W and 650W PSUs, respectively.
Comparison Table
| Feature | GeForce RTX 5090 | GeForce RTX 5080 | GeForce RTX 5070 Ti | GeForce RTX 5070 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CUDA Cores | 21760 | 10752 | 8960 | 6144 |
| Boost Clock (GHz) | 2.41 | 2.62 | 2.45 | 2.51 |
| Memory | 32 GB GDDR7 | 16 GB GDDR7 | 16 GB GDDR7 | 12 GB GDDR7 |
| Memory Interface | 512-bit | 256-bit | 256-bit | 192-bit |
| TGP (W) | 575 | 360 | 300 | 250 |
| PSU Requirement (W) | 1000 | 850 | 750 | 650 |
Choosing the Right Card for Your Needs
GeForce RTX 5090 Specifications
- CUDA Cores: 21760
- Boost Clock: 2.41 GHz
- Memory: 32 GB GDDR7
- Memory Interface: 512-bit
- Ray Tracing Cores: 4th Gen, 318 TFLOPS
- Tensor Cores: 5th Gen, 3352 AI TOPS
- TDP: 575W
GeForce RTX 5080 Specifications
- CUDA Cores: 10752
- Boost Clock: 2.62 GHz
- Memory: 16 GB GDDR7
- Memory Interface: 256-bit
- Ray Tracing Cores: 4th Gen, 171 TFLOPS
- Tensor Cores: 5th Gen, 1801 AI TOPS
- TDP: 360W
GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Specifications
- CUDA Cores: 8960
- Boost Clock: 2.45 GHz
- Memory: 16 GB GDDR7
- Memory Interface: 256-bit
- Ray Tracing Cores: 4th Gen, 133 TFLOPS
- Tensor Cores: 5th Gen, 1406 AI TOPS
- TDP: 300W
GeForce RTX 5070 Specifications
- CUDA Cores: 6144
- Boost Clock: 2.51 GHz
- Memory: 12 GB GDDR7
- Memory Interface: 192-bit
- Ray Tracing Cores: 4th Gen, 94 TFLOPS
- Tensor Cores: 5th Gen, 988 AI TOPS
- TDP: 250W
The best card for you depends on your budget and how you plan to use it. The RTX 5090 is the clear performance leader, but it comes at a premium price and power consumption. The RTX 5080 offers a good balance of performance and value, while the RTX 5070 Ti and RTX 5070 are more budget-friendly options that still deliver excellent performance for most gamers.
Consider the following factors when making your decision:
- Resolution and refresh rate: If you want to game at 4K resolution with high refresh rates, the RTX 5090 or 5080 are the best choices. For 1440p gaming, the RTX 5070 Ti or 5070 will suffice.
- Budget: The RTX 5090 is the most expensive card, followed by the RTX 5080, 5070 Ti, and 5070. Set a realistic budget and choose the best card that fits within it.
- Power consumption: Consider the power requirements of each card and ensure your system has an adequate power supply.
- Specific needs: If you have specific needs like video encoding or professional workloads, factor those into your decision.
By carefully considering these factors, you can choose the RTX 50 series card that best meets your needs and budget.
