CES 2025 is just around the corner, where the biggest names in tech showcase their most groundbreaking products — and eyes are glued to what Nvidia is expected to unveil. Enter the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090, the anticipated new flagship of the next-gen RTX 5000 series, codenamed "Blackwell", and poised to blow GPU enthusiasts (and their power supplies) out of the water. The sheer speculations around its power, performance, and price make it an unmissable announcement.
Today, let’s dive into why the RTX 5090 is set to steal the CES spotlight, dissecting every detail, rumor, and drool-worthy spec that has gamers and tech enthusiasts buzzing. Whether it's the mind-blowing performance upgrades, the increase in power demands, or the presumably wallet-emptying price tag—it all points to Nvidia leading a new GPU revolution.
Looking at the sheer leap in specs:
What this means for Windows 11 users: Expect shorter loading times in DirectStorage-supported games and near-instantaneous data retrieval under heavy computing loads.
To put that in perspective:
While this speculation may seem extreme for a consumer GPU, it wouldn’t be the first time Nvidia’s pricing strategy has shocked the market:
But if you’re building the ultimate Windows 11 gaming or productivity rig, then this GPU will be the crowning jewel. Its specs hint at a GPU that could:
If Nvidia manages to announce availability alongside their CES keynote and deliver on promised specs without significant delays, this card might make 2025 the year of the GPU wars once again. AMD’s own response will also be worth keeping tabs on.
But if you’re someone who always wants to have the best of the best, the RTX 5090 is shaping up to be not just a GPU, but a statement. It’s a halo product intended to redefine what cutting-edge performance means.
Whether it’s worth it for you will depend on if you’re someone who follows that age-old gamer’s motto: “Because I can.”
Discussion Points
Source: XDA 3 reasons why the RTX 5090 will steal the spotlight at CES
Today, let’s dive into why the RTX 5090 is set to steal the CES spotlight, dissecting every detail, rumor, and drool-worthy spec that has gamers and tech enthusiasts buzzing. Whether it's the mind-blowing performance upgrades, the increase in power demands, or the presumably wallet-emptying price tag—it all points to Nvidia leading a new GPU revolution.
1. The RTX 5090’s Power Will Be Next-Level
Numbers That'll Make You Pause
If the leaks circulating the internet are true, then the RTX 5090 will rewrite the definition of high-performance GPUs. Here’s a rumored spec comparison between the RTX 5090 and its already-dominant predecessor, the RTX 4090:| Spec | RTX 5090 | RTX 4090 |
|---|---|---|
| Codename | GB202 | AD102-300 |
| Interface | PCIe 5.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x16 |
| Memory | 32GB GDDR7 | 24GB GDDR6X |
| CUDA Cores | 24,576 | 16,384 |
| L2 Cache | 128MB | 72MB |
| Boost Clock | 2.9 GHz | 2.52 GHz |
| Memory Bus Width | 512-bit | 384-bit |
| Memory Bandwidth | 1,536 GB/s | 1,008 GB/s |
- 32GB GDDR7 Memory: This marks a transition to GDDR7 for the first time in consumer-grade GPUs, a significant boost from GDDR6X.
- 50% More Memory Bandwidth: A bandwidth of 1,536 GB/s means more speed for large datasets, textures, and dynamic computations, making it ideal for advanced ray tracing and AI tasks.
- 24,576 CUDA Cores: That’s a surge of 50% more cores, delivering unparalleled parallel processing performance.
Why PCIe 5.0 Matters
The move to PCIe 5.0 is worth mentioning because it substantially increases data transfer rates between the GPU and the motherboard. While games today may not saturate this bandwidth, as Windows 11 evolves support for faster SSDs and data-intensive applications, PCIe 5.0 ensures the RTX 5090 holds its crown well into the future.What this means for Windows 11 users: Expect shorter loading times in DirectStorage-supported games and near-instantaneous data retrieval under heavy computing loads.
2. The RTX 5090 Could Demand As Much Power As Your Fridge
Nothing comes for free—especially not performance of this caliber. While the RTX 5090 boasts jaw-dropping computational capabilities, rumors point to an equally staggering 600W TDP (Thermal Design Power).To put that in perspective:
- Most RTX 4090 cards require a 450W power draw.
- A standard gaming PC with a mid-range GPU can run on 600–750W PSU.
- A 600W GPU alone means users may need 1,200W–1,500W PSUs.
But How Will It Get That Power?
The power rumors don’t stop at the wattage. Speculations include:- Dual PCIe Power Connectors: Forget single 12-pin or 8-pin power connectors. The RTX 5090 could require two sockets to pull sufficient juice from your PSU.
- Mains Power Port: In the most meme-worthy rumor yet, leaked images suggest an actual mains connector (you know, the kind you plug your PC’s PSU to) on the back of the RTX 5090.
What Can Windows Users Do to Prep?
For those considering upgrading to the RTX 5090, make sure:- You’ve got a powerful enough PSU ready. Consider 1,200W PSUs or more with at least 80 Plus Gold efficiency.
- Your case is large enough to handle the inevitable behemoth triple-slot card with cutting-edge thermal solutions.
- A proactive cooling strategy (like liquid cooling) exists; the heat isn’t just from the card—it’s the whole system working harder under load.
3. History Repeats: The Cost Will Floor You
The most divisive point about the RTX 5090 has been the rumored retail price point. While exact details remain unknown, indications suggest custom PC builds sporting the RTX 5090 are being priced at a jaw-dropping $5,999. Expect a decent portion of that to be the GPU itself.While this speculation may seem extreme for a consumer GPU, it wouldn’t be the first time Nvidia’s pricing strategy has shocked the market:
- Launch price of the RTX 4090 was $1,599—the most expensive consumer GPU to date.
- Considering the additional cost of GDDR7 memory, fabrication, and PCIe 5.0 interfaces, a similar price for the RTX 5090 seems almost inevitable.
Is It Worth the Price Tag?
The RTX 5090 will undoubtedly appeal to hardcore enthusiasts, content creators, and those with unlimited budgets. For casual gamers running modern titles in 1440p or even 4K resolutions, this might be overkill.But if you’re building the ultimate Windows 11 gaming or productivity rig, then this GPU will be the crowning jewel. Its specs hint at a GPU that could:
- Effortlessly run native 8K gaming, possibly eliminating compromises like reduced ray tracing effects or DLSS settings.
- Accelerate workloads in AI, video editing, and 3D modeling at speeds unmatched by anything on the consumer market.
What to Expect at CES 2025
Get ready to hear the RTX 5090 plastered across headlines once it officially debuts. The specs are staggeringly impressive, the power demands are giving gamers pause, and the price tag is likely to stir debate in every comment section globally.If Nvidia manages to announce availability alongside their CES keynote and deliver on promised specs without significant delays, this card might make 2025 the year of the GPU wars once again. AMD’s own response will also be worth keeping tabs on.
Final Thoughts: Is the RTX 5090 for You?
For the average Windows user, the RTX 5090 is more of a headline-making showcase than an immediate upgrade path. While the allure of future-proofing is strong, for most users running 4K instead of 8K, or sticking to multi-display setups for workstations, GPUs like the RTX 4080 or RTX 4090 remain incredibly powerful options.But if you’re someone who always wants to have the best of the best, the RTX 5090 is shaping up to be not just a GPU, but a statement. It’s a halo product intended to redefine what cutting-edge performance means.
Whether it’s worth it for you will depend on if you’re someone who follows that age-old gamer’s motto: “Because I can.”
Discussion Points
- What do you think of the RTX 5090’s likely power demands? Is 600W too much?
- How much would you be willing to pay for the near-perfect GPU?
- Is the gaming market over-pricing itself into irrelevance with halo products?
Source: XDA 3 reasons why the RTX 5090 will steal the spotlight at CES
