3 Reasons to Avoid the RTX 5090 and 2 Reasons to Buy It Now

On January 30, 2025, NVIDIA is planning to debut the RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 “Blackwell” GPUs. These will hit store shelves at 9 AM EST (15:00 CET for our European readers in the UK), with both Founders Edition and partner-made custom cards becoming accessible. However, the duration they’ll be available is uncertain, and it’s likely that many shoppers won’t manage to secure one.

What’s with all the pessimism? Reports and whispers from industry experts suggest that there will be significant shortages of the RTX 5090, particularly so. For instance, an employee from Overclockers UK stated that they only have a small number – single digits – of the RTX 5090 in stock, while their supply of the RTX 5080 is limited to only a few hundred units.

It seems that some people are saying that the stock shortages may partially be due to the timing of NVIDIA’s product launch, as it happens during the Chinese New Year/Spring Festival in China and Taiwan. Regardless of the main reason, it appears that those eager to get their hands on NVIDIA’s most potent GPU yet on its release day might face difficulties. I apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause.

Considering the hefty price tag of $1,999 for the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Founders Edition and varying costs for custom versions, you may be considering whether to invest in this top-tier GPU. In this article, I’ll provide reasons why you might want to reconsider your decision, but also make some points in favor of purchasing the RTX 5090. Let me share some key details with you.

3 reasons why you should not buy an NVIDIA RTX 5090

If you’re struggling to gather enough funds or are hesitant because you’re not sure if the RTX 5090 is the ideal GPU for your next computer, here are three reasons that might influence your purchase decision.

If you can’t afford it on launch day or aren’t sure if it’s the best fit for your PC build, here are three reasons to reconsider buying the RTX 5090.

The RTX 5090 costs as much as complete gaming PCs

The high price tag of $1,999 for the RTX 5090 is its most significant drawback. Although some custom versions might be slightly cheaper than the Founders Edition priced by NVIDIA, don’t count on unexpected price reductions.

As an analyst, if the rumored shortage of stocks materializes, you might find yourself paying significantly more than the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), largely due to the manipulation of scalpers. A swift search on eBay reveals that custom RTX 5090 graphics cards are already commanding prices as high as $7,000, even before any hardware has been officially released. One may wonder who is buying these overpriced items.

At its launch, the NVIDIA RTX 5080 appears to have slightly improved availability compared to the RTX 5090, but the catch is that it comes at just half the price of the latter, retailing for $999 as a Founders Edition. Unfortunately, much like with other high-demand tech items, shoppers may still find themselves dealing with scalpers. However, if you’re willing to work with a GPU that’s slightly less powerful than the RTX 5090, the 5080 could serve as a reasonable alternative.

If you’ve set aside $1,999 for a new GPU but can’t get your hands on an RTX 5090 or are uncertain about such a significant investment, consider exploring what other PC hardware you could fit within the same budget. For instance, an AMD Ryzen X3D CPU coupled with a potent NVIDIA RTX 40-series GPU might not cost much more if you’re strategic in your shopping. In fact, you may even discover pre-built gaming PCs that offer long-lasting performance at a lower price tag.

For folks determined to secure an RTX 5000 GPU, I’ve put together a handy guide that includes various retailers and the stock they might have for the launch of the RTX 5090 or RTX 5080 graphics cards. This should help you in your quest to get one on the release day.

DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation could eventually work on older NVIDIA GPUs

It’s possible that NVIDIA’s advanced feature, Multi Frame Generation from DLSS 4, could be made available for older RTX graphics cards. However, the wait time or feasibility of this process is yet to be determined. During an interview with Tom’s Hardware, NVIDIA’s VP of Applied Deep Learning Research, Bryan Catanzaro, hinted at this possibility.

In simpler terms, this seems to imply that the main focus is on optimizing performance and user experience through engineering. We’re introducing our top-notch Multi-Frame Generation technology with the 50 Series, which will help us determine how well it performs on existing hardware in the future.

Multi Frame Generation is quite significant because it played a crucial role in NVIDIA showcasing impressive performance figures during its CES 2025 keynote. The Tensor cores of the RTX 5090 deliver an astounding 3,352 TOPS for AI acceleration, far surpassing the RTX 4090’s 1,321 TOPS. This enhanced performance enables RTX 50-series GPUs to utilize AI in a manner never seen before, leading to a substantial increase in frame rates for compatible games.

NVIDIA demonstrated Cyberpunk 2077 running smoothly on an RTX 5090, but not using Multi Frame Generation (MFG). It managed roughly 30 frames per second (FPS). However, when MFG was activated, the FPS soared to 235 and above. This increase isn’t trivial. Interestingly, NVIDIA asserted that an RTX 5700 with DLSS 4 and MFG could deliver similar performance as an RTX 4090 without this feature.

NVIDIA tested Cyberpunk 2077 on an RTX 5090, but without a specific technology called Multi Frame Generation (MFG). It ran okay, around 30 frames per second (FPS). But when they turned MFG on, the FPS improved drastically to over 235 FPS. This improvement isn’t small. Additionally, NVIDIA stated that an RTX 5700 with another technology called DLSS 4 and MFG could match the performance of an RTX 4090 without these features.

In his review of the NVIDIA RTX 5090, Senior Editor Ben Wilson noted that the latest card provides roughly a 33% performance enhancement (without the benefits of DLSS 4) over the RTX 4090. Interestingly, the RTX 5090’s Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price is approximately 25% less than that of the RTX 4090.

The upcoming RTX 5090 is unquestionably more potent than its earlier version. However, it might not take too much time for DLSS 4’s Multi Frame Generation to appear on RTX 40-series graphics cards. When this happens, there could be a flurry of purchases for the previous GPUs, as they may become scarce and eventually disappear from the market.

Your PC can’t handle the power draw or heat

The new NVIDIA RTX 5090 boosts its Total Graphics Power (TGP) to 575 watts, a 125-watt jump over the RTX 4090’s 450 watts. This power upgrade necessitates an upgrade in your PC’s power supply as well, with NVIDIA now suggesting a minimum of 1,000 watts. For most users, installing the RTX 5090 in their PC will likely require additional upgrades, which means the $1,999 Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) is just the beginning.

There’s an issue regarding heat too, particularly with the Founders Edition card. I had anticipated that custom RTX 5090 GPUs from other hardware manufacturers would improve cooling capabilities, but the Founders Edition model we tested produces more heat than the RTX 4090.

I recently observed temperature readings using a FLIR camera and the same 3DMark Speed Way stress test. The RTX 4090 FE reached 52.9 degrees, while the RTX 5090 FE hit 66.4 degrees. Despite being thinner than its predecessor, the RTX 5090 might pose a heat management challenge if your system isn’t equipped to handle it effectively. If your setup is tight-fitting and barely accommodates the RTX 5090, you may find that it struggles to stay cool without an upgraded case or additional fans in no time.

2 reasons why you should buy an NVIDIA RTX 5090

Are you absolutely set on purchasing the new RTX 5090 graphics card on its release day, regardless of the price tag? Here are three compelling arguments that could alleviate any potential buyer’s remorse and possibly convince your partner of its worth as an investment.

This way, it maintains a conversational and straightforward tone while providing valuable insights to the reader.

It’s the most powerful GPU you can buy

Without a doubt, one aspect that sets the RTX 5090 apart is its title as the most potent consumer graphics card ever crafted. Regardless of whether you’re seeking to outshine your tech-savvy peers or simply crave the latest hardware advancements, the RTX 5090 stands out significantly compared to its RTX 4090 predecessor – previously the epitome of power among graphics cards. Let me share some key specifications of these two GPUs for a brief comparison.

With Senior Editor Ben Wilson diligently putting the RTX 5090 through its paces, we not only have hardware specifications but also some actual in-game performance metrics to discuss. In line with our previous mentions, you should anticipate a roughly 33% boost in synthetic benchmark results versus the RTX 4090. Additionally, real-world gaming tests demonstrate approximately a 25% performance enhancement.

Here’s a look at some comparison charts between the RTX 5090 and RTX 4090.

In simpler terms, there isn’t much more to add. However, if you aim for the top performance, you should consider getting the RTX 5090, regardless of its price. This suggestion is equally applicable to individuals searching for a GPU that boasts advanced AI functionalities in the next generation.

The RTX 5090 significantly outshines the RTX 4090’s Tensor cores in AI acceleration (3,352 TOPS vs. 1,321 TOPS). This makes the RTX 5090 an exceptional choice for both professionals and amateurs involved with AI work. To help visualize these figures, remember that Microsoft’s Copilot+ tools integrated into Windows 11 demand an NPU with only 40 TOPS for AI acceleration. Given its impressive 3,352 TOPS from the Tensor cores alone, the RTX 5090 is likely to be highly sought-after in the field of AI.

It has all of the DLSS 4 perks on day one

On select RTX 5000 graphics cards, you’ll find the innovative AI technology called DLSS 4’s Multi Frame Generation. This tech generates a higher number of frames compared to previous versions, which is one key factor contributing to NVIDIA’s assertion that the RTX 5070 performs as swiftly as the RTX 4090 in gaming scenarios.

It’s possible that DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation might become available on some older RTX GPUs at a later time. At present, however, it’s the RTX 5090 that is best equipped to handle DLSS 4, thanks to its significantly enhanced power from the Tensor cores. If you’re someone who enjoys maxing out game settings and finds frame rate drops frustrating, then the RTX 5090 could be an excellent choice for you.

Remember that when the RTX 5080, RTX 5070 Ti, and RTX 5070 are launched, they will come with all the benefits of DLSS 4. This means you don’t have to spend $1,999 on a new GPU to access these features. Although your sibling GPUs may not provide the same level of performance as DLSS 4 is enabled, they will still offer more than adequate power for most PC gamers.

What to expect on launch day

If the speculations and sneak peeks about the RTX 5090 launch prove correct, a large number of prospective purchasers may find themselves disappointed. How long might this rumored stock scarcity persist? The duration could range from weeks to months, or even years.

NVIDIA aims its RTX 5090 at a specific group of users, almost making it a luxury or unique item. As my coworker Ben Wilson notes in his RTX 5090 review, the current graphics card market is leaning towards this GPU being more of an exceptional buy than a necessary one.

As a gaming enthusiast myself, I must say that the NVIDIA RTX 5090 FE is undeniably a powerhouse GPU, but it comes with a hefty price tag. Unless you’re playing at resolutions like 4K or even 8K and have an extensive setup of top-tier hardware, spending this much might not be necessary for most gamers. A less expensive option, such as the RTX 5080 priced at $999, would probably serve you better in this context.

For professionals, particularly those working with AI, the potential benefits of the RTX 5090 are still being explored, but it’s safe to say that it will cater to most needs. However, keep in mind that it’s a costly card. But if it helps streamline your workflow and you manage to avoid inflated prices due to scalpers or market manipulation, it could potentially pay for itself in a professional setting.

If you don’t have extra funds to spare or aren’t working in a specific area that requires the advanced capabilities of NVIDIA’s RTX 5090, it would be more practical to consider the RTX 5080, RTX 5070 Ti, or RTX 5070 instead when making your purchase.

Remember that AMD’s RDNA 4 Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) are anticipated to be released this year, with the latest updates suggesting March 2025. However, it remains uncertain how these GPUs will measure up against NVIDIA’s RTX 5000 series in terms of performance or pricing.

2025-01-28 14:11