Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 5090 is set to launch on January 30, 2025, and testing data is finally starting to emerge. There’s no doubt that the card looks impressive on paper, and the keynote at CES 2025 generated significant excitement. However, as we began to analyze the information presented, some concerns came to light.
With a rumored power consumption of 600W and a suggested retail price of $1999, expectations are extremely high for its performance in 4K gaming. Preliminary testing, however, indicates a potential bottleneck: achieving playable frame rates at 4K resolution in demanding titles may rely heavily on Nvidia’s DLSS technology. In other words, this card may not justify its price tag unless the game you are playing fully supports DLSS 4.0 and you are willing to enable it.
This raises an important question: Can the RTX 5090 provide a true native 4K gaming experience, or is it dependent on AI-driven upscaling to reach performance goals? We will examine the available data and analyze the implications for gamers who are seeking high-fidelity visuals without compromises.
Understanding the RTX 5090’s Performance with DLSS
RTX 5090 Specs and Expectations
The Nvidia RTX 5090 is expected to be a high-end graphics card. It is rumored to have a 600W power draw. This is a big jump from previous generations. Many expect it to deliver top-tier 4K gaming. But some early reports paint a more complex picture.
4K Gaming Performance: The DLSS Factor
Early data suggests the RTX 5090 may struggle to hit smooth frame rates at 4K resolution in demanding games without DLSS. DLSS stands for Deep Learning Super Sampling. It’s an AI-powered upscaling tech from Nvidia. It renders games at a lower resolution and uses AI to upscale to a higher one. This improves performance.
Some tests show the RTX 5090 gets around 29 frames per second (FPS) in games like “Black Myth: Wukong” at 4K with ray tracing fully on and DLSS off. This is not ideal for smooth gameplay. With DLSS 4 enabled, frame rates can jump to over 200 FPS in some cases. This shows how important DLSS is for high frame rates at 4K on this card.
Why DLSS Matters for High-Resolution Gaming
Modern games are more demanding. They use advanced graphics techniques like ray tracing. This puts a huge load on graphics cards. Even powerful cards like the RTX 5090 can struggle. DLSS helps by reducing the rendering load. It allows for higher frame rates at high resolutions. It becomes essential for a smooth 4K experience in the most graphically intense games.
Comparing Performance Scenarios
Here’s a table showing some example performance differences with and without DLSS:
| Game | Resolution | Ray Tracing | DLSS | Approximate FPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Myth: Wukong | 4K | On | Off | 29 |
| Black Myth: Wukong | 4K | On | On (DLSS 4) | 200+ |
Pros and Cons of Relying on DLSS
Pros
- Big performance boost at high resolutions.
- Allows for higher frame rates and better visuals.
- Can make demanding games playable on less powerful hardware.
Cons
- Image quality can sometimes be slightly softer than native resolution.
- Requires specific hardware support (Nvidia RTX cards).
- Game developers must implement it.
Alternatives to DLSS
AMD offers FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR). Intel has Xe Super Sampling (XeSS). These are similar upscaling technologies. They aim to improve performance without a big loss in visual quality. They are important alternatives for people who don’t have Nvidia cards.
Is the RTX 5090 Worth It?
The RTX 5090 will likely be a very powerful card. But it seems you’ll need DLSS for the best 4K experience in demanding games. If you’re okay with using DLSS, the 5090 should offer great performance. If you want native 4K performance without upscaling, you might be disappointed.
Questions You Might Have
- Will future driver updates improve performance without DLSS? It’s possible, but unlikely to completely remove the need for upscaling in the most demanding cases.
- Is DLSS always necessary for 4K gaming? No. Many games run fine at 4K without it, especially older or less demanding titles.
- How does DLSS compare to FSR and XeSS? Each technology has its strengths and weaknesses. DLSS generally offers better image quality, but FSR and XeSS work on a wider range of hardware.
Other Graphics Card Considerations
If you’re looking for a new graphics card, it’s worth considering other options. The RTX 40 series and AMD’s RX 7000 series offer strong performance at various price points. It’s important to think about your budget, the resolution you want to play at, and the games you want to play. For example, if you are not interested in 4K gaming, a less expensive card might be a better choice. It is important to look at benchmarks and reviews to find the best card for your needs.
Short Summary:
- Nvidia’s RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 will launch on January 30, 2025 priced at $1999 and $999 respectively.
- Despite boasting advanced features like DLSS 4 and Multi Frame Generation, the RTX 5090 struggles to maintain frame rates in native 4K settings.
- The reliance on AI-driven technology indicates a departure from raw performance expectations in modern gaming demands.
The upcoming GeForce RTX 50 Series from Nvidia has been met with both excitement and skepticism. Set to launch on January 30, 2025, the flagship RTX 5090 and its sibling, the RTX 5080, will have price points of $1999 and $999, respectively. While these GPUs promise to introduce advanced features such as Deep Learning Super Sampling 4 (DLSS 4) and DLSS Multi Frame Generation, questions loom over their ability to deliver the kind of raw performance gamers are seeking, particularly at 4K resolutions.
During Nvidia’s recent showcase, notable advancements in AI technology were highlighted. DLSS 4 aims to significantly enhance gaming performance by generating frames through artificial intelligence. As detailed in the announcement, “The GeForce RTX 50 Series is engineered to push the boundaries of what’s possible in gaming, utilizing AI to enhance both performance and visual quality” said an Nvidia spokesperson during the event. With this announcement, consumers are left to wonder: does such innovation compensate for the lack of substantial improvements in native performance?
Interestingly, when testing the RTX 5090’s performance with demanding titles such as Black Myth: Wukong and Cyberpunk 2077, benchmarks indicated a disparity. The RTX 5090 managed to deliver a mere 29 frames per second (FPS) when running Black Myth: Wukong at native 4K resolution with full ray tracing engaged. Comparatively, the RTX 4090 achieved 21 FPS, marking approximately a 38% improvement. However, the numbers are far from stellar for a GPU in the $2000 range, especially considering the undertaking of native 4K without AI enhancements.
Moreover, in another critical test, running Cyberpunk 2077 with path tracing, we observed the RTX 5090 yielding 27 FPS, while the 4090 managed to produce 20 FPS in the same scenario. This indicated a 35% increase in performance for the new card. However, it still raises concerns: with current technology demands, is a 30-40% uplift consistent with decades of GPU advancements impressive, or merely a mild iteration? As
“A 30-40% performance increase per generation is what we typically expect,”
notes an industry analyst, suggesting consumers should temper their expectations.
The integration of DLSS 4 also notably amplifies concerns about the necessity of such software technology to achieve playable frame rates. With the addition of Multi Frame Generation, the RTX 5090 demonstrated a stark contrast—running Dune: Awakening at an impressive 242 FPS with DLSS enabled versus just shy of 60 FPS natively. This suggests that Nvidia’s latest offerings are heavily reliant on their DLSS technologies to meet modern gaming standards.
It’s clear that the demand for 4K gaming is escalating. The optimism surrounding advanced graphics rendering techniques and AI is undeniable; however, without the DLSS framework, the RTX 5090 may struggle to fulfill the promise of smooth, high-fidelity gaming. As observed during multiple analyses, “It seems that Nvidia is banking on DLSS 4 to offset potential shortcomings in core performance of its flagship offerings.” This notion elucidates the ongoing tension between hardware capabilities and the burgeoning expectations of modern gaming.
This rising dependency on AI brings forth essential inquiries about the future of gaming graphics technology. Gamers are rightfully questioning how justification can be made for the hefty price of the RTX 5090 when third-party technologies are required for an optimal experience. With overwhelming graphics demands from current and upcoming titles, a GPU costing nearly $2000 that is unable to confidently display native 4K gaming results presents valid concerns.
The landscape of gaming hardware continues to evolve rapidly, with emerging technology like ray tracing and high-frame-rate capabilities. Developers are designing games around cutting-edge performance; however, the necessity of AI-powered enhancements like DLSS to achieve desired frame rates hints that raw performance alone may not suffice. As a quote from the Nvidia presentation suggests,
“We’re redefining gaming performance, but the landscape is fast evolving.”
As the launch date progresses, feedback and comparative tests from various gaming communities will provide crucial insights into the practical application of these GPUs in real-world settings. Enthusiasts and prospective buyers alike will no doubt be anxious to see how the RTX 5090 stacks up against not only its predecessor but also its competitors in the market.
