After months of speculation and leaks, Nvidia has officially announced its RTX Blackwell GPU lineup. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang introduced the new RTX 50-series GPUs, which include four models: the RTX 5090, 5080, 5070 Ti, and 5070.
The RTX 50-series boasts a redesigned Founders Edition with notable upgrades. The cards feature two double flow-through fans, a 3D vapor chamber for cooling, and cutting-edge GDDR7 memory.
These GPUs support PCIe Gen 5 and are equipped with DisplayPort 2.1b connectors, enabling output for displays up to 8K resolution at 165Hz.
The flagship RTX 5090 Founders Edition has a two-slot design, allowing compatibility with small form factor PCs—a significant shift from the bulkier RTX 4090.
Key specifications include:
- 32GB of GDDR7 memory
- 1,792GB/sec memory bandwidth
- 21,760 CUDA cores
Nvidia claims the RTX 5090 is twice as fast as the RTX 4090, leveraging DLSS 4 and the new Blackwell architecture. However, this performance comes at a cost, with a total graphics power of 575 watts and a recommended 1000-watt power supply—a 125-watt increase over the RTX 4090.
The RTX 5080, aimed at enthusiasts, offers:
- 16GB of GDDR7 memory
- 960GB/sec memory bandwidth
- 10,752 CUDA cores
It delivers double the performance of the RTX 4080, with a 360-watt total graphics power and an 850-watt PSU recommendation.
The RTX 5070 Ti and RTX 5070 cater to gamers seeking high performance at lower tiers:
- RTX 5070 Ti: 16GB GDDR7, 896GB/sec bandwidth, 8,960 CUDA cores, 300-watt power, 750-watt PSU
- RTX 5070: 12GB GDDR7, 672GB/sec bandwidth, 6,144 CUDA cores, 250-watt power, 650-watt PSU
Both models are touted to be twice as fast as their RTX 40-series predecessors.
RTX 50-Series Comes to Laptops
In addition to desktop GPUs, Nvidia is launching RTX 50-series laptop GPUs, featuring:
- RTX 5090: 24GB GDDR7 memory
- RTX 5080: 16GB GDDR7 memory
- RTX 5070 Ti: 12GB GDDR7 memory
- RTX 5070: 8GB GDDR7 memory
Gaming laptops equipped with these GPUs are expected tp hit the market in March 2025 from leading PC manufacturers.
DLSS 4
Nvidia has announced the next evolution of its Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) technology, DLSS 4, alongside the new RTX 50-series GPUs.
A standout feature of DLSS 4 is Multi Frame Generation, which leverages advanced AI to generate up to three additional frames for every traditional frame.
Nvidia claims this innovation can boost frame rates by up to 8x compared to traditional rendering methods, significantly enhancing the smoothness of gameplay and visual fidelity.
DLSS 4 incorporates a real-time application of transformers to enhance image quality, minimise ghosting, and increase detail in motion.
The DLSS 4 upgrade is compatible with existing RTX GPUs, as the features have been updated to utilise the new transformer AI models.
Pricing and Availability
- RTX 5090: USD1,999 (~RM9,011)
- RTX 5080: USD999 (~RM4,503)
- RTX 5070 Ti: USD749 (~RM3,376)
- RTX 5070: USD549 (~RM2,474)
The RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 will launch first, with both models becoming available on 30 January 2025. Following shortly after, the RTX 5070 Ti and RTX 5070 will hit shelves in February 2025.