Table of Contents
Overview
The RTX 5090 represents NVIDIA's biggest generational leap in years. Built on the new Blackwell architecture, it brings 32GB of GDDR7 memory, 5th generation RT and Tensor cores, and up to 60% better AI performance.
But at $1,999 MSRP and 575W TDP, it's not for everyone. Let's break down whether the upgrade from RTX 4090 makes sense for your use case.
RTX 5090
- • Blackwell Architecture
- • 32GB GDDR7
- • 21,760 CUDA Cores
- • $1,999 MSRP
RTX 4090
- • Ada Lovelace Architecture
- • 24GB GDDR6X
- • 16,384 CUDA Cores
- • $1,599 MSRP
Specifications Comparison
| Specification | RTX 5090 | RTX 4090 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Blackwell | Ada Lovelace |
| CUDA Cores | 21,760 | 16,384 |
| VRAM | 32GB GDDR7 | 24GB GDDR6X |
| Memory Bus | 512-bit | 384-bit |
| Memory Bandwidth | 1.8 TB/s | 1.0 TB/s |
| TDP | 575W | 450W |
| Base Clock | 2.01 GHz | 2.23 GHz |
| Boost Clock | 2.41 GHz | 2.52 GHz |
| RT Cores | 5th Gen | 3rd Gen |
| Tensor Cores | 5th Gen | 4th Gen |
| MSRP | $1,999 | $1,599 |
| Release | Q1 2025 | Oct 2022 |
Key Upgrade: 32GB GDDR7
The jump from 24GB GDDR6X to 32GB GDDR7 is massive for AI workloads. You can now run 70B parameter models locally and train larger batches. The 1.8 TB/s bandwidth also eliminates memory bottlenecks.
AI & Deep Learning Performance
This is where the RTX 5090 truly shines. The combination of more CUDA cores, 5th gen Tensor cores, and faster memory delivers 50-60% improvements across AI workloads.
| Task | RTX 5090 | RTX 4090 | Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| LLM Training (7B) | ~45 min | ~70 min | +55% |
| Stable Diffusion XL | 2.1 img/s | 1.4 img/s | +50% |
| LLM Inference (70B) | 38 tok/s | 24 tok/s | +58% |
| Video AI Upscaling | 4.2x faster | Baseline | +320% |
| PyTorch FP16 | ~1,800 TFLOPS | ~1,300 TFLOPS | +38% |
| Tensor Core FP8 | ~3,600 TFLOPS | ~2,600 TFLOPS | +38% |
Gaming Performance
For gaming, the RTX 5090 delivers ~50% better performance at 4K with ray tracing. The new DLSS 4 with frame generation makes even the most demanding games playable.
| Game (4K Ultra) | RTX 5090 | RTX 4090 | Gain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cyberpunk 2077 4K | 145 FPS | 95 FPS | +53% |
| Alan Wake 2 4K RT | 85 FPS | 55 FPS | +55% |
| Black Myth: Wukong 4K | 120 FPS | 80 FPS | +50% |
| Hogwarts Legacy 4K | 140 FPS | 95 FPS | +47% |
| Flight Simulator 4K | 95 FPS | 65 FPS | +46% |
Price & Value Analysis
Pros
- 32GB VRAM for large AI models
- 50-60% faster AI performance
- GDDR7 memory with 1.8 TB/s bandwidth
- 5th gen RT and Tensor cores
- Better for future-proofing
Cons
- $1,999 MSRP (25% more expensive)
- 575W TDP requires beefy PSU
- Limited availability at launch
- Overkill for 1080p/1440p gaming
Pros
- Proven and available now
- $400 cheaper than 5090
- Lower power consumption (450W)
- Excellent 4K gaming performance
- Mature driver support
Cons
- 24GB VRAM limits large models
- Older Ada Lovelace architecture
- Slower memory bandwidth
- Will be discontinued soon
Which Should You Buy?
Buy RTX 5090 if:
- • You work with AI/ML and need 32GB VRAM
- • You want the fastest consumer GPU available
- • You're building a new high-end workstation
- • Future-proofing matters more than immediate value
- • You have a 850W+ PSU
Buy RTX 4090 if:
- • You need a GPU right now
- • 24GB VRAM is sufficient for your workloads
- • You want to save $400
- • Your PSU is under 850W
- • You primarily game at 4K
Consider Cloud GPUs if:
- • You need A100/H100 class performance
- • You don't want $2,000+ upfront investment
- • Your workloads are occasional, not daily
- • You need to scale up/down flexibly