Should We Cancel Our 5090 Pre-orders? - 4K Gaming Test

DukE...TDvm

24 Feb 2025

With each new generation of GPUs, anticipation and speculation reach fever pitch. The launch of the NVIDIA RTX 5090 is no different. As the next flagship GPU in NVIDIA’s lineup, it comes with promises of groundbreaking performance, revolutionary AI enhancements, and unmatched efficiency in 4K gaming. But despite the hype, many early adopters are now second-guessing their decision to pre-order. Is the RTX 5090 a necessary upgrade, or is it just another overhyped product with diminishing returns? This article aims to dissect whether this GPU is truly a generational leap or merely a refinement of the RTX 4090, providing all the insight needed before making an informed purchase decision.

When a new graphics card releases, the first wave of excitement is often fueled by marketing and leaks. NVIDIA has made some bold claims about the RTX 5090’s capabilities, stating that it will significantly outperform its predecessor in both rasterization and ray tracing workloads.

However, the reality often differs when real-world performance tests emerge. Does the 5090 deliver on these promises, or is it simply a marginal improvement in disguise? With increasing GPU prices, high power requirements, and evolving game development priorities, it’s essential to evaluate whether upgrading right now is the smartest move.

In this comprehensive breakdown, we will analyze every aspect of the RTX 5090, from specifications and power requirements to real-world gaming performance, AI features, and overall value for money. This will help determine whether NVIDIA’s newest release is truly an essential purchase or if holding off for future innovations might be a better call.

The RTX 5090: A Spec Monster, but at What Cost?

The RTX 5090, rumored to be based on NVIDIA’s cutting-edge Blackwell architecture, packs some impressive specifications. While raw numbers often do not tell the full story, they do offer a glimpse into what makes this GPU so powerful. Here’s a breakdown of the expected specifications:

RTX 5090 Expected Specifications:

Architecture: Blackwell (B100 GPU core)
CUDA Cores: ~18,432 (rumored, significantly more than the RTX 4090)
VRAM: 32GB GDDR7 (a substantial upgrade over the 4090’s 24GB GDDR6X)
Memory Bus: 512-bit (wider bandwidth for increased data throughput)
Base Clock Speed: 2.5GHz
Boost Clock Speed: Up to 3.0GHz
Power Consumption: 450W+ (some leaks suggest it may reach 500W+)
AI-Driven Features: DLSS 4.0, AI-powered frame generation, and enhanced upscaling

While these numbers paint a picture of sheer performance dominance, they also bring some concerns. The higher power draw and increased thermal output mean that a robust cooling system and an upgraded power supply might be necessary. Additionally, despite improvements in AI-driven upscaling like DLSS 4.0, the gaming industry is shifting towards more optimized game engines, potentially reducing the need for brute-force GPU performance in the near future.

DLSS 4.0: A Game Changer or a Marketing Gimmick?

One of the biggest selling points of the RTX 5090 is NVIDIA’s new DLSS 4.0 technology. This AI-driven upscaling method has been praised for dramatically increasing frame rates while maintaining high image quality. But is it truly a breakthrough, or is it another layer of artificial enhancements compensating for diminishing real-world performance gains?

With DLSS 4.0 enabled, frame rates in graphically demanding games can more than double, allowing for a much smoother gaming experience. However, there are some trade-offs to consider:

Latency concerns: AI-generated frames introduce some input lag, which can be frustrating for competitive gamers who rely on instantaneous responsiveness.
Limited adoption in new titles: While many AAA games have embraced DLSS, not all developers prioritize its implementation, making it less effective in certain game libraries.
Potential visual artifacts: While AI-generated frames look nearly identical to native rendering in most cases, fast-motion scenes can still exhibit minor artifacts and shimmering effects, which may be noticeable to keen-eyed gamers.

While DLSS 4.0 is undeniably a major advancement, it’s crucial to understand that it shouldn’t be the primary reason to invest in an RTX 5090, especially if you already own a high-end GPU capable of smooth 4K gaming.

Power Consumption & Cooling: A Potential Dealbreaker?

The power draw and thermal performance of the RTX 5090 are aspects that cannot be ignored. With a 450W+ power requirement, this GPU will push the limits of existing power supplies and cooling systems. While manufacturers are working on more efficient cooling solutions, those planning to upgrade must ensure their PC cases have adequate airflow.

Thermal and Power Considerations:

Under full load, the RTX 5090 reaches temperatures of around 78°C, approximately 5°C hotter than the RTX 4090.
Air cooling struggles to keep up, making high-quality liquid cooling a preferred option for maintaining optimal performance.
Those with an 850W PSU will likely need to upgrade to at least a 1000W power supply, further increasing the total cost of ownership.

If your current setup isn’t ready to handle the additional power draw and heat output, the added investment in better cooling solutions and a PSU upgrade could make this purchase far more expensive than anticipated.

Should You Cancel Your Pre-order?

After breaking down the key aspects of the RTX 5090, it's time to determine whether keeping a pre-order is a smart decision.

Who Should Keep Their 5090 Pre-order?

✅ 4K/8K Enthusiasts: If you demand the absolute best in visual fidelity, the 5090 is the top performer. ✅ Content Creators and Professionals: Those working in video editing, 3D rendering, and AI-related workloads will benefit from the extra VRAM and enhanced AI processing power. ✅ Early Adopters Who Want the Best: If money isn’t an issue and you always want the latest tech, this GPU will satisfy your cravings for maximum performance.

Who Should Consider Canceling?

❌ RTX 4090 Owners: The incremental performance gains may not justify an expensive upgrade. ❌ Budget-Conscious Gamers: If you're price-sensitive, waiting for price drops or considering a used RTX 4090 might be the smarter move. ❌ Power-Conscious Users: If your current PSU and cooling setup aren’t sufficient, upgrading your entire system could be more costly than expected.

Conclusion: Should We Hit That Cancel Button?

At the end of the day, the RTX 5090 is an undeniably powerful GPU, but whether or not you should cancel your pre-order depends on your specific needs. If you already own an RTX 4090, the performance difference is not significant enough to justify upgrading. However, for those upgrading from an RTX 3080 or lower, the 5090 will be a game-changing leap in performance.

The decision ultimately comes down to whether you are willing to spend the extra money for incremental improvements or wait for a more substantial generational leap in future GPUs. What are you planning to do? Cancel your pre-order or go all in? Let us know in the comments!