The much-awaited Nvidia RTX 50 Series graphics cards were finally unveiled at CES 2025, driving PC gamers and creatives into a frenzy! Not only were we treated to the incredible display that was Nvidia founder Jensen Huang’s new jacket, but he also explained how Ai tech boosts performance in a pretty amazing way.
These next-gen GPUs are poised to set new standards in graphics performance, pointing to a monumental leap in computing. The RTX 50 Series is expected to be hailed as the best graphics cards money can buy, thanks to groundbreaking advancements and cutting-edge tech. This comes in form of super efficient Ai-driven rendering, including neural shaders, geometry and lighting. So if you’re upgrading your gaming PC in 2025, you’re going to have some seriously jaw-dropping graphics!
Let’s break down everything that was announced…
Nvidia's RTX 50 Series GPU lineup
Nvidia's RTX 50 Series includes a range of cards, designed to cater to different performance needs and budgets. Whether that’s for light design laptops or heavy gaming PCs. The confirmed models in the lineup so far are:
· RTX 5090
· RTX 5080
· RTX 5070 Ti
· RTX 5070
Among these, the RTX 5090 is the flagship model, representing the pinnacle of Nvidia's technological knowhow. With its combo of GDDR7 memory and Ai smarts, it’s said to deliver twice the performance of the 4090.
It’s followed by the RTX 5080, which offers high-end performance for demanding applications. The RTX 5070 Ti and RTX 5070 fall into the more mid-tier positions, designed to provide a balance between performance and cost. That said, the 5070 is said to perform as well as the 4090 - so this generation could be a bargain!
And just as exciting, these GPUs are available in both desktop and laptop versions. Quite a boost for gaming on the go!
Here’s a side by side comparison breakdown of key specs…
| Product | Tensor Cores (Ai) | Ray Tracing Cores | Boost clock (GHz) | Base Clock (GHz) | Memory Config |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GeForce RTX 5090 | 5th Gen 3352 AI TOPS | 4th Gen 318 TFLOPS | 2.41 | 2.01 | 32 GB GDDR7 |
| GeForce RTX 5080 | 5th Gen 1801 AI TOPS | 4th Gen 171 TFLOPS | 2.62 | 2.30 | 16 GB GDDR7 |
| GeForce RTX 5070 Ti | 5th Gen 1406 AI TOPS | 4th Gen 133 TFLOPS | 2.45 | 2.30 | 16 GB GDDR7 |
| GeForce RTX 5070 | 5th Gen 3352 AI TOPS | 4th Gen 94 TFLOPS | 2.51 | 2.16 | 12 GB GDDR7 |
Nvidia RTX 50 Series specs and features
The new Nvidia GPUs boast impressive specs that promise to deliver unprecedented performance and visual fidelity. (Especially if the demos were anything to go by). Among these models, the RTX 5090 and RTX 5080, in particular, have generated significant hype. Their superior core counts, clock speeds, and VRAM capacity make them ideal for the most demanding tasks - including gaming, content creation and AI applications.
One of the standout features of the RTX 50 Series is the introduction of Nvidia's Blackwell architecture. This new architecture promises major improvements in performance and efficiency, thanks to its advanced design and integration of cutting-edge technologies.
Additionally, the RTX 50 Series GPUs will support a new version of DLSS - DLSS 4. It generates 3 additional frames from every frame calculated - giving a massive 8x boost on traditional rendering. And you’ll be able to see the difference straight away, since 75 games will support DLSS 4 at launch.
Another exciting development is the GDDR7 memory in these new GPUs. This next-gen VRAM offers significantly higher bandwidth compared to GDDR6 and GDDR6X, found in the RTX 40 Series. That means improved performance and a smoother gaming experience.
When compared to the previous generation, the RTX 50 Series offers major upgrades across the board. According to statistics shared during the CES 2025 keynote, these new GPUs deliver up to 50% better performance in real-world applications, making them a significant upgrade for anyone looking to future-proof their setup.
How much will the RTX 50 Series GPUs cost?
The price of the RTX 50 Series GPUs obviously varies depending on the model - with each offering a different balance of performance and cost. Below are the announced prices for each graphics card. These are in dollars at the moment, as we’re not yet sure how UK pricing willl be set - so take these as a guide to how much pocket money you’ll need to save up:
RTX 5090: $1,999
RTX 5080: $999
RTX 5070 TI: $749
RTX 5070: $549
The RTX 5090, as the flagship model, is the most expensive due to its top-of-the-line specifications and promised performance. On the other hand, the RTX 5070 is the most affordable in the RTX 50 Series. Laptop versions of these GPUs are slightly more expensive.
Nvidia RTX 50 Series release date confirmed
The release dates for the RTX 50 Series GPUs were also revealed at CES 2025. The RTX 5090, and 5080 will be available starting from 30 January 2025 at 2PM GMT. The other models will be released in a staggered manner. Form an orderly queue!
What’s next?
Looking to give your PC a tune up? We’ve got all the components and upgrades you need!
If you’re new to PC building or upgrading or are looking to upgrade your existing rig, our Gaming PC and monitor buying guide is a good place to start.
