Nvidia has officially unveiled its eagerly awaited RTX 5090 graphics card, marking the launch of the RTX 50 series during CES 2025, held on January 4, 2025, in Las Vegas. This announcement, led by CEO Jensen Huang, solidifies Nvidia's position at the forefront of high-end gaming technology.
The RTX 5090, priced at $1,999, is set to take gaming visuals to unprecedented heights. It features 32GB of GDDR7 RAM and boasts 21,760 CUDA cores, promising performance improvements of nearly 2x over the previous generation, the RTX 4090, which was already considered the gold standard for consumer GPUs. During the keynote, Huang underscored the GPU's capabilities, stating, "All of this, with AI, is the house GeForce built." He emphasized how the Blackwell architecture integrates AI-driven rendering, pushing the boundaries of what's possible for gamers.
Nvidia's lineup also includes the RTX 5080, priced at $999; the RTX 5070 Ti at $749; and the RTX 5070 starting at $549. Each of these models incorporates new GDDR7 memory, with the 5080 targeting performance improvements over the RTX 4080, asserting it will be twice as fast. There’s no doubt the RTX 5070 is of notable interest, as Huang claimed it would deliver "RTX 4090 performance at $549"—a bold assertion demonstrating Nvidia's commitment to delivering high performance at more accessible prices.
The flagship RTX 5090 showcased impressive performance during live demonstrations. One particularly noteworthy demo ran the popular game Cyberpunk 2077, displaying framerates soaring up to 238 FPS with the new DLSS 4 technology compared to just 106 FPS on the RTX 4090 utilizing DLSS 3.5, showcasing the technological gap between generations and the substantial leap consumers can expect.
Another significant addition to the Blackwell family is the power draw. The RTX 5090 demands 575 watts, which is 125 watts more than its predecessor, the RTX 4090. This increase means users should prepare their power supplies accordingly, with Nvidia recommending at least 1000-watt power supplies for optimal performance.
Nvidia is not only focusing on desktop GPUs; the company is also releasing mobile variants. Laptops equipped with the RTX 5090 and other series GPUs will trickle down to market starting March 2025, with various manufacturers, including Dell, HP, and Razer, participating. Prices for laptops featuring the RTX 5090 begin at approximately $2,999, ensuring the technology reaches performance-hungry mobile gamers.
While Nvidia assures audiences of overcoming previous supply chain issues, the launch has also faced scrutiny due to price hikes across the board, with the top-end GPU commanding $400 more than the RTX 4090—a significant leap amid rising tech costs globally. Nevertheless, Huang highlighted the value proposition, claiming, "Blackwell, the engine of AI, has arrived for PC gamers, developers, and creatives." This statement positions the new generation of GPUs not just as gaming hardware but also as tools for creators and developers, allowing for enhanced workflow and productivity through AI-driven capabilities.
The new GPUs will be available starting January 30, 2025. Huang’s presentation reflected both excitement and aspiration, prominently featuring demos of state-of-the-art gaming graphics, coupled with real-time rendering powered by Nvidia's innovative technologies. Fans eagerly anticipate the potential impact of these GPUs on the current market and future gaming experiences.
Huang concluded his address by stating, "We used GeForce to enable AI, and now AI is revolutionizing GeForce," encapsulating the visionary approach Nvidia is taking to stay at the helm of graphics technology. With every launch, Nvidia reiterates its prowess and dedication to advancing the gaming and creative experience, solidifying the RTX 50 series as a cornerstone of technological innovation for 2025 and beyond.