NVIDIA has officially taken the wraps off its latest lineup of GPUs, introducing the RTX 5090, RTX 5080, RTX 5070 Ti, and RTX 5070. Whether you’re editing high-resolution footage, building virtual environments, or chasing photorealistic rendering speeds, these GPUs might pack serious firepower.
Performance: Rendering on Steroids
The RTX 5090 leads the pack with a reported 2x performance increase over the previous generation. Thanks to its upgraded CUDA cores, improved Tensor cores, and new third-gen Ray Tracing cores, it delivers faster renders, smoother simulations, and real-time ray tracing capabilities unmatched in the current market. Expect buttery-smooth playback even in dense, effects-heavy timelines.
The RTX 5080 and 5070 Ti aren’t slouches either. Each offers scalable performance for different budgets and workflows, ensuring professionals can tap into NVIDIA’s cutting-edge tech without maxing out their budgets (though your wallet may still cry a little).
New Features, in the TL:DR-Version:
DisplayPort 2.1a: Inclusion of DisplayPort 2.1a allows for higher display output data rates, supporting high-resolution and high-refresh-rate displays, addressing previous criticisms regarding display output limitations.
DLSS 4: The fourth generation of Deep Learning Super Sampling introduces enhanced AI-driven upscaling and frame generation, capable of producing up to three AI-generated frames, resulting in up to a 70% improvement in refresh rates compared to DLSS 3.
GDDR7 Memory: The RTX 50 Series GPUs are the first consumer GPUs to feature GDDR7 memory, offering greater memory bandwidth over the same bus width compared to the GDDR6 and GDDR6X memory used in the RTX 40 series
12V2×6 Power Connector: The series utilizes the 16-pin 12V2×6 connector, a revision of the previous 12VHPWR connector, designed to address prior issues and ensure better power delivery and safety.
Memory: Bigger Buffers, Fewer Bottlenecks
NVIDIA highlights increased memory across the board for this lineup. The RTX 5090 ships with a colossal 48GB GDDR7, making it ideal for handling complex simulations, multilayered VFX compositions, and large real-time assets. Meanwhile, the RTX 5080 and 5070 Ti offer more modest but still production-ready memory configurations, ensuring smooth performance for mid-range tasks.
Energy Efficiency: Saving Watts While Pushing Frames
Efficiency also gets an upgrade with improved energy consumption versus performance. NVIDIA promises that even under heavy workloads, these GPUs remain cooler and quieter, which your workstation—and ears—will thank you for.
Key Specifications:
- RTX 5090: Equipped with 21,760 CUDA cores, a base clock of 2.01 GHz, and a boost clock of 2.41 GHz.It includes 32 GB of GDDR7 memory with a 512-bit bus, offering a memory bandwidth of 1,792 GB/s. The total graphics power (TGP) is rated at 575 watts.
- RTX 5080: Features 10,752 CUDA cores, a base clock of 2.3 GHz, and a boost clock of 2.62 GHz. It comes with 16 GB of GDDR7 memory on a 256-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 960 GB/s. The TGP is 360 watts.
- RTX 5070 Ti: Includes 8,960 CUDA cores, operating at a base clock of 2.3 GHz and a boost clock of 2.45 GHz.It is equipped with 16 GB of GDDR7 memory, a 256-bit bus, and a bandwidth of 896 GB/s.The TGP stands at 300 watts
- RTX 5070: Comprises 6,144 CUDA cores, with a base clock of 2.16 GHz and a boost clock of 2.51 GHz. It has 12 GB of GDDR7 memory on a 192-bit bus, delivering a bandwidth of 672 GB/s. The TGP is 250 watts.
Pricing and Availability:
- RTX 5090: Priced at $1,999, with availability starting January 30, 2025.
- RTX 5080: Priced at $999, also available from January 30, 2025.
- RTX 5070 Ti: Available in February 2025, priced at $749.
- RTX 5070: Set for release in February 2025, with a price tag of $549
NVIDIA is also extending the RTX 50 Series to laptops, with models featuring the RTX 5090, 5080, and 5070 Ti expected to be available starting March 2025, and RTX 5070 laptops anticipated in April 2025.
Final Thoughts: Cutting-Edge or Overkill?
While the RTX 5090 and its siblings represent a leap forward in performance, it’s worth remembering that new technology can sometimes come with teething issues. Artists should weigh the benefits of bleeding-edge performance against the stability of their current pipelines. As always, test thoroughly before deploying these GPUs in mission-critical workflows—especially if your render deadline is yesterday.
NVIDIA’s latest offerings are undoubtedly impressive, but as every VFX supervisor knows, power is only as good as its usability. Whether you’re upgrading your render farm or simply looking to make your life easier, these GPUs are worth considering—provided your budget (and PSU) can handle it.
