Nvidia’s recently announced RTX 50-series GPUs promise double the performance of their predecessors. While these GPUs are poised to be top contenders among the best graphics cards, the significant performance boost largely stems from DLSS Multi-Frame Generation, a feature exclusive to the RTX 50-series.
During Nvidia’s Editor’s Day at CES 2025, GeForce desktop product manager Justin Walker indicated the RTX 5080 outperforms the RTX 4080 by approximately 15% without DLSS 4. Similarly, the RTX 5070 boasts a roughly 20% performance increase over the RTX 4070 without DLSS 4. It’s crucial to note that these figures are approximate and official performance benchmarks are yet to be released. Waiting for independent reviews before drawing definitive conclusions about these new cards is recommended.
Nvidia benchmarks for the RTX 5080.
Nvidia benchmarks for the RTX 5070.
DLSS 4: The Key to Performance
The provided charts illustrate Walker’s point. Games like Resident Evil 4, which lack DLSS support, and Horizon Forbidden West, supporting only DLSS 3, show smaller performance gains. However, titles supporting DLSS 4’s 4X Multi-Frame Generation demonstrate substantial improvements. This clarifies why the generational leap isn’t as dramatic as initially touted. The RTX 50-series utilizes 4X Multi-Frame Generation, doubling the 2X Frame Generation of the RTX 40-series. This results in a near doubling of performance, at least in games with DLSS 4 support.
Benchmarks for Nvidia
RTX 5090: Preliminary Performance Insights
While still lacking concrete numbers, Nvidia shared estimated frame rates for the flagship RTX 5090. In the limited sample provided, the RTX 5090 achieved under 50 frames per second (fps) at 4K with maximum settings, including path tracing. With DLSS 4 enabled, Nvidia projects frame rates exceeding 250 fps and significantly reduced latency.
RTX 50-Series Mobile: Power Efficiency and Thin Designs
Nvidia also highlighted improvements in the mobile space. The RTX 50-series mobile GPUs reportedly deliver a 40% improvement in battery life for gaming laptops, and will be available in laptops as thin as 14.9mm. A key contributor to this enhanced battery life is BatteryBoost. This feature dynamically conserves power, especially in low-motion scenes, dialogues, or situations with minimal player interaction.
BatteryBoost: Dynamic Power Management
Nvidia explains that the Blackwell architecture’s 1,000 times faster frequency response enables rapid adjustments to GPU frequency. Coupled with improved sleep states, including a tenfold reduction in deep sleep entry time, BatteryBoost significantly contributes to power savings.
Availability and Pricing
Laptops equipped with these new GPUs are expected in March, with models from all major OEMs, including Lenovo, HP, MSI, Razer, Dell, Acer, Asus, and Gigabyte. Prices will range from $1,299 for an RTX 5070 to $2,899 for an RTX 5090.
Conclusion
The RTX 50-series GPUs offer a notable performance upgrade, largely driven by DLSS 4. While initial performance claims appear tied to DLSS 4 utilization, the advancements in mobile performance and power efficiency are promising. Further benchmarks and reviews will provide a clearer picture of the RTX 50-series’ capabilities.
