The much-awaited NVIDIA RTX 5090 is finally here, and the tech community is buzzing with excitement. Built on the Blackwell architecture, this flagship graphics card promises faster performance, improved efficiency, and next-level gaming experiences. But does it live up to the hype, or is it just an incremental step forward compared to the RTX 4090?
In this article, we’ll break down synthetic benchmarks, real-world gaming tests, and direct comparisons with competing GPUs to see whether the RTX 5090 is truly worth the premium price tag.
Performance in Synthetic Benchmarks
Synthetic benchmarks provide the first glimpse into raw GPU performance, and the RTX 5090 does deliver measurable gains.
Geekbench 5 (OpenCL): The RTX 5090 scored 367,740 points, a 15% increase over the RTX 4090.
Geekbench 5 (Vulkan): Achieved 359,742 points, a 37% improvement over its predecessor.
CUDA API Test: Scored 542,157 points, marking a 27% gain.
Blender 3.6.0: Recorded a median score of 17,822.17, which is 36% faster than the RTX 4090’s score of 13,064.17.
These results are undeniably impressive, especially in professional workloads like rendering and AI computing. However, given the 32% increase in CUDA cores compared to the RTX 4090, many enthusiasts had expected performance gains closer to 40–50%.
👉 If you want a refresher on how the RTX 4090 performed, check out our RTX 4090 benchmark guide.
Real-World Gaming Benchmarks
While synthetic scores matter, real-world gaming performance is the true test for gamers and creators alike. Here’s how the RTX 5090 stacks up in early benchmarks:
Cyberpunk 2077 (UHD, DLSS 4 enabled): Delivers 200+ FPS. At native 4K, however, performance dips below 60 FPS in ultra settings, showing that even next-gen GPUs struggle with the most demanding titles.
Star Wars: Outlaws: DLSS 4 boosts framerates up to 250 FPS with noticeably lower input latency.
Black Myth: Wukong & Alan Wake 2: Both games benefit heavily from DLSS 4, offering smooth UHD gameplay with significantly higher frame stability.
The highlight here is DLSS 4, which uses advanced AI-based upscaling and frame generation. This technology allows the RTX 5090 to push framerates into territory that would otherwise be unattainable at ultra-high resolutions.
RTX 5090 vs Other GPUs: How Does It Compare?
To better understand the RTX 5090’s place in the GPU landscape, here’s a side-by-side comparison with key competitors:
| GPU | Architecture | CUDA Cores | Memory | Boost Clock (MHz) | Memory Bandwidth (GB/s) | Geekbench 5 (OpenCL) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RTX 5090 | Blackwell | 21,760 | 32 GB GDDR7 | 2,407 | 1,792 | 367,740 |
| RTX 4090 | Ada Lovelace | 16,384 | 24 GB GDDR6X | 2,520 | 1,008 | 319,470 |
| RTX 3080 | Ampere | 8,704 | 10 GB GDDR6X | 1,710 | 760 | 232,156 |
| AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX | RDNA 3 | 12,228 | 24 GB GDDR6 | 2,450 | 960 | N/A |
Key Observations:
More CUDA Cores & Memory: With 21,760 CUDA cores and 32GB of GDDR7, the RTX 5090 leaves older generations far behind in raw specs.
Bandwidth Leap: The 1,792 GB/s memory bandwidth nearly doubles what the RTX 4090 offered, paving the way for smoother 8K workloads.
AMD Competition: While the Radeon RX 7900 XTX remains a strong contender, it currently lacks the AI-driven technologies like DLSS 4 that give NVIDIA an edge.
Key Takeaways
1. Performance Improvements
The RTX 5090 is a clear step up from both the RTX 4090 and RTX 3080. For professionals in 3D rendering, AI model training, or scientific simulations, the added CUDA cores and memory make it a future-proof investment.
2. Gaming Experience
Gamers will appreciate the DLSS 4 boost, which enables ultra-high framerates at UHD and even opens the door to 8K gaming. However, it’s worth noting that native 4K ultra in certain AAA games still poses a challenge.
3. Value Proposition
With a rumored launch price well above $1,699, the RTX 5090 is not for the casual gamer. It’s designed for early adopters, professional creators, and enthusiasts who demand bleeding-edge performance. For those satisfied with 4K gaming at high framerates, the RTX 4090 or even an RTX 4080 Super may offer better value.
SEO-Optimized FAQ
Q1: Is the NVIDIA RTX 5090 worth upgrading from the RTX 4090?
If you already own an RTX 4090, the performance jump may not justify the cost unless you work with 8K workflows or AI-heavy applications.
Q2: How powerful is the RTX 5090 compared to AMD’s flagship GPUs?
While AMD’s RX 7900 XTX offers solid raw performance, NVIDIA’s edge comes from DLSS 4 and superior AI acceleration, making the RTX 5090 more future-ready.
Q3: Can the RTX 5090 handle 8K gaming?
Yes, but with caveats. While DLSS 4 makes 8K gameplay more achievable, native 8K ultra settings remain demanding, even for this powerhouse card.
Final Thoughts
The NVIDIA RTX 5090 is a technical marvel, offering incremental but meaningful improvements over its predecessor. While it may not be the revolutionary leap some expected, it cements NVIDIA’s dominance in the high-end GPU market.
For gamers chasing ultra-high resolutions, creators handling massive projects, or enthusiasts who want the best of the best, the RTX 5090 is the ultimate choice. However, for those focused on value for money, the RTX 4090 or 4080 series may still be the smarter buy.
👉 Check out the official NVIDIA RTX 5090 product page for full specifications and availability.