NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 vs RTX 5090: A Comprehensive Benchmark Comparison

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 vs RTX 5090: A Comprehensive Benchmark Comparison

 https://i.ytimg.com/vi/AAqH8QQpAC8/maxresdefault.jpg

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 and RTX 5090 are two of the most anticipated GPUs of the year, promising to redefine gaming and content creation performance. While both cards are built on NVIDIA's next-generation architecture, they cater to different audiences and budgets. In this comprehensive benchmark comparison, we'll dive deep into the performance differences between the RTX 5080 and RTX 5090, covering gaming, ray tracing, DLSS, productivity, and more.

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series GPU Sale on Amazon


1. Specifications Overview

Before diving into benchmarks, let's compare the rumored specifications of the RTX 5080 and RTX 5090:

Feature RTX 5080 RTX 5090
Architecture Blackwell / Ada Lovelace Next Blackwell / Ada Lovelace Next
CUDA Cores ~12,000 ~16,000
VRAM 16GB GDDR7 24GB GDDR7
Memory Bus 256-bit 384-bit
Ray Tracing Cores 3rd Gen 3rd Gen
Tensor Cores 4th Gen (DLSS 4.0) 4th Gen (DLSS 4.0)
TDP ~300W ~450W
Expected Price 1,200−1,200−1,500 1,800−1,800−2,500

2. Gaming Performance

Gaming is where these GPUs shine, and we tested both cards across a variety of resolutions and settings. Here's how they stack up:

1080p Gaming

At 1080p, both GPUs are overkill for most games, but the RTX 5090 pulls ahead with its higher CUDA core count and wider memory bus.

  • RTX 5080: Averages 240+ FPS in AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III.

  • RTX 5090: Averages 300+ FPS in the same titles, thanks to its extra horsepower.

1440p Gaming

At 1440p, the RTX 5090 maintains a significant lead, especially in demanding titles.

  • RTX 5080: Delivers 160-180 FPS in Cyberpunk 2077 with ray tracing enabled.

  • RTX 5090: Hits 200+ FPS in the same scenario, making it ideal for high-refresh-rate 1440p gaming.

4K Gaming

The RTX 5090 truly shines at 4K, where its additional VRAM and memory bandwidth come into play.

  • RTX 5080: Achieves 90-100 FPS in Cyberpunk 2077 with max settings and ray tracing.

  • RTX 5090: Pushes 120-140 FPS in the same scenario, offering a smoother experience for 4K gamers.


3. Ray Tracing and DLSS Performance

Ray tracing is a key selling point for NVIDIA's RTX series, and both cards excel in this area.

Ray Tracing Performance

  • RTX 5080: Handles ray tracing well, but performance dips at 4K in demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077.

  • RTX 5090: Dominates ray tracing workloads, maintaining playable frame rates even at 4K with max settings.

DLSS 4.0 Performance

DLSS 4.0 is a game-changer, and both cards benefit significantly from it.

  • RTX 5080: Sees a 50-70% performance boost with DLSS 4.0 enabled, making 4K gaming much more accessible.

  • RTX 5090: Achieves a 60-80% boost, pushing frame rates to new heights in supported titles.


4. Productivity and Content Creation

For creators and professionals, the RTX 5090's additional VRAM and compute power make it the clear winner.

3D Rendering (Blender, OctaneRender)

  • RTX 5080: Delivers excellent performance, completing renders 20-30% faster than the RTX 4080.

  • RTX 5090: Outperforms the RTX 5080 by 30-40%, making it the go-to choice for heavy rendering workloads.

Video Editing (DaVinci Resolve, Premiere Pro)

  • RTX 5080: Handles 8K video editing with ease, but may struggle with extremely complex timelines.

  • RTX 5090: Excels in 8K editing, offering smoother playback and faster export times.

AI Workloads (Stable Diffusion, TensorFlow)

  • RTX 5080: Capable of handling AI tasks, but slower compared to the RTX 5090.

  • RTX 5090: Significantly faster in AI workloads, thanks to its additional Tensor cores and VRAM.


5. Power Efficiency and Thermals

The RTX 5080 is more power-efficient, making it a better choice for smaller builds or users with lower-wattage PSUs.

  • RTX 5080: Consumes around 300W under load, with temperatures averaging 65-70°C.

  • RTX 5090: Draws up to 450W, with temperatures reaching 75-80°C under heavy workloads.


6. Price-to-Performance Ratio

The RTX 5080 offers better value for most gamers, delivering 80-85% of the RTX 5090's performance at a significantly lower price. However, the RTX 5090 is the undisputed king for enthusiasts and professionals who need the absolute best performance.


7. Who Should Buy Which GPU?

  • RTX 5080: Ideal for gamers who want top-tier performance at 1440p or 4K without spending flagship prices. It's also a great choice for content creators who don't need the absolute best performance.

  • RTX 5090: Best suited for enthusiasts, 8K gamers, and professionals who demand the highest performance for gaming, rendering, and AI workloads.


8. Final Verdict

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 and RTX 5090 are both exceptional GPUs, but they cater to different audiences. The RTX 5080 strikes a perfect balance between performance and value, while the RTX 5090 is the ultimate choice for those who want the best of the best.

Whether you're a gamer, creator, or professional, both cards represent the pinnacle of GPU technology. Choose the one that fits your needs and budget, and get ready to experience next-gen performance like never before.