Nvidia’s RTX 5090 Boasts Double the Speed of RTX 4090, But With a Catch

Nvidia made waves at CES 2025, unveiling the highly anticipated GeForce RTX 5090 and touting performance claims that have gamers buzzing. According to Nvidia, the RTX 5090 is twice as fast as the previous-generation RTX 4090. However, as impressive as this sounds, there’s a significant caveat tied to these bold numbers.

RTX 5090 vs. RTX 4090: The Performance Gap

Since the launch of the original RTX series in 2018, Nvidia’s use of AI-driven upscaling and frame generation technology has played a key role in enhancing gaming performance. These technologies, such as DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), can dramatically boost frame rates in supported games.

With the RTX 5090, Nvidia introduces DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation, capable of generating up to three artificial frames for every traditionally rendered frame. Nvidia claims this can boost performance by up to eight times compared to standard rasterization alone.

The Catch: Game Support Matters

The significant performance gains Nvidia is touting depend heavily on enabling DLSS 4 and other advanced features. Unfortunately, not all games support these technologies.

For titles relying solely on traditional rasterization, which remains the standard for most new and old games, the RTX 5090 shows only 20% to 40% performance gains compared to the RTX 4090—still impressive, but far from the promised 100% improvement.

New Features and Advancements

Nvidia’s new Blackwell architecture enhances the RTX 5090’s capabilities, allowing it to better utilize DLSS 4’s features. Key advancements include:

• DLSS Transformer Model: Boosts AI efficiency for better performance.
• Multi Frame Generation: Adds up to three AI-generated frames for higher frame rates.
• Enhanced Compatibility: Optimized for games supporting Nvidia’s ecosystem.
  
  

  Is the RTX 5090 Worth It?

  For gamers who play DLSS-supported titles, the RTX 5090 offers an unparalleled experience with massive frame rate boosts. However, those focusing on non-DLSS games will see smaller, albeit still meaningful, performance upgrades.
  
  

  Key Takeaways

  • Twice the Speed? Nvidia’s claims depend on enabling DLSS 4 and advanced features.
  • Game Support is Key: Traditional rasterization sees only 20%-40% improvement over RTX 4090.
  • Next-Gen Technology: DLSS 4 and Blackwell architecture redefine gaming performance.
    
    Written by: Hassan Ali (University of the Punjab).