The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 has arrived, but early benchmarks reveal a surprising truth: even this powerful GPU struggles to run Cyberpunk 2077 at 4K with path tracing and maximum settings without DLSS. While the RTX 5090 showcases impressive specifications, including a reported 27% performance boost over the RTX 4090, the demanding nature of path tracing seems to push it to its limits.
This raises important questions about the future of gaming graphics and the increasing reliance on upscaling technologies like DLSS to achieve playable frame rates in cutting-edge titles. Does this indicate a shift in GPU design, with a greater emphasis on software optimization alongside raw hardware power? The answers will become clearer as we examine the RTX 5090’s capabilities and its implications for the future of gaming.
RTX 5090 and Cyberpunk 2077: Path Tracing’s Demands
Path Tracing Pushes GPUs to the Limit
Even the most powerful graphics cards struggle to run Cyberpunk 2077 smoothly with path tracing at maximum settings. This demanding rendering technique creates realistic lighting and reflections, but it requires immense processing power.
The recently released Nvidia RTX 5090, though a significant upgrade over its predecessor, can’t maintain a consistent 30 frames per second (fps) in Cyberpunk 2077 with path tracing and DLSS disabled. This highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing visual fidelity with performance, even with cutting-edge hardware.
DLSS: A Necessary Tool for Smooth Gameplay
DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) technology uses AI to upscale the game’s resolution, effectively boosting performance without a significant loss in visual quality. With DLSS enabled, the RTX 5090 can achieve playable frame rates in Cyberpunk 2077 with path tracing.
This reliance on upscaling techniques shows a trend in modern game development: pushing graphical boundaries requires advanced upscaling solutions to maintain smooth gameplay.
Performance Gains and Future Expectations
While the RTX 5090 shows notable performance gains over the RTX 4090, it’s clear that future advancements in both hardware and software are needed to fully realize the potential of path tracing. Game developers and GPU manufacturers must continue to optimize performance to make this technology more accessible to a wider audience.
| Feature | RTX 4090 | RTX 5090 | Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| CUDA Cores | 16,384 | 18,432 | 12.5% |
| Boost Clock | 2.52 GHz | 2.64 GHz | 4.8% |
| Memory Capacity | 24 GB GDDR6X | 24 GB GDDR7 | – |
| Memory Speed | 21 Gbps | 24 Gbps | 14.3% |
| Power Consumption | 450W | 485W | 7.8% |
The Future of Graphics: Path Tracing and Beyond
Path tracing represents a significant step towards photorealistic graphics in video games. However, the technology’s high demands necessitate powerful hardware and innovative solutions like DLSS. As games continue to push graphical boundaries, we can expect further advancements in GPU technology and rendering techniques to create even more immersive and visually stunning experiences.
The development of more efficient path tracing algorithms and upscaling technologies will be crucial in making this technology mainstream. We may also see new approaches to game development that prioritize performance optimization alongside visual fidelity. The future of gaming graphics promises to be exciting, with path tracing playing a pivotal role in shaping the visual experiences of the years to come.
Short Summary:
- Initial benchmarks indicate the RTX 5090 struggles to achieve smooth frame rates in Cyberpunk 2077 at 4K resolution without DLSS.
- With DLSS and Frame Generation enabled, the RTX 5090 can hit remarkably high frame rates, but latency remains an issue.
- Despite being 30-40% faster than the RTX 4090, real-world performance at maximum settings highlights the importance of Nvidia’s technology for optimal gameplay.
Nvidia’s RTX 5090, the flagship graphics card in the upcoming GeForce RTX 50 series, has shown promising early benchmarks, boasting performance improvements over its predecessor, the RTX 4090. However, scrutiny of its performance in the demanding game Cyberpunk 2077 has unveiled some unexpected hurdles, especially when full graphics settings are cranked up without the assistance of Nvidia’s Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) technology.
The RTX 5090 is projected to deliver an impressive 30-40% faster performance than the RTX 4090, according to Nvidia’s CES 2025 presentation. The figures were showcased in various demo videos, demonstrating the new GPU’s capabilities. But as investigations into actual gameplay reveal, this increased power doesn’t always translate seamlessly into playable frame rates.
“We won’t know the exact performance difference between the RTX 4090 and RTX 5090 until we test them ourselves. However, it’s safe to say that without DLSS 4, the RTX 5090 will be about 30-40% faster than the RTX 4090,” a gaming journalist commented.
In tests conducted using Cyberpunk 2077, the RTX 5090 scored around 27 frames per second (FPS) with everything maxed out at native 4K resolution and Path Tracing enabled. For context, the RTX 4090 managed about 20 FPS under the same conditions, leading to the conclusion that while the RTX 5090 is significantly more potent, it still falters in maintaining high frame rates without DLSS.
This scenario underscores the critical role DLSS plays in enhancing performance. When deployed in “Performance” mode, combined with four-times Frame Generation, the RTX 5090 achieves extraordinary results, reportedly reaching up to 290 FPS at 4K resolution with ultra settings. It’s important to note, however, that these exceptional frame rates come alongside considerable latency, hovering around 35 to 40 ms. Switching to “Quality” mode yields lower FPS, averaging about 200 but with slightly improved latency figures.
Without the advantages of DLSS and Frame Generation, the RTX 5090’s performance significantly declines. The frame rate drops to approximately 65 FPS when these features are disabled. More alarmingly, in extreme cases of full path tracing and ultra settings, the frame rate dips below 30 FPS—making it less than satisfactory for serious gamers.
“Even with its hefty $2,000 price tag, the RTX 5090 heavily relies on DLSS to maintain playable frame rates in Cyberpunk 2077 at maximum settings,” a tech analyst stated.
Many observers anticipated the challenges the RTX 5090 would face in demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077. The game, known for its vast open world and high-end graphics requirements, can Tax even the most capable GPUs on the market. As it currently stands, players will need to integrate DLSS to experience a smooth gaming session, particularly if they want to utilize high refresh rate monitors effectively. In practical terms, this means that achieving optimal gameplay—even with the most advanced hardware—may require leaning on Nvidia’s Multi Frame Generation capabilities.
Another factor contributing to the GPU’s performance challenges is also the nature of modern gaming development. The rise of path tracing and increasingly intricate game design means that future titles are likely to demand even more from graphics cards. Some experts indicate that raw power without optimizations, like DLSS, may not be enough to guarantee performance benchmarks that meet gamers’ expectations.
Furthermore, the RTX 5090 has been subjected to various benchmarking tests, with results revealing broad performance differences based on the graphical rendering engines used in different scenarios. For instance, early Vulkan benchmarks indicated a performance advantage of up to 37% over the RTX 4090, whereas OpenCL tests reflected a smaller improvement at around 15%.
“Getting rid of DLSS entirely exposed the actual performance of the RTX 5090 without any bells and whistles, and it didn’t look good,” an industry analyst remarked.
Although these early results may point toward performance issues, it is essential to approach them with caution. Leaks and benchmarks serve as a preliminary glimpse into the GPU’s capabilities, but complete reviews will not be available until after the card’s official launch on January 30th. Therefore, players remain hopeful that any pending optimizations or updates could improve the situation in the months to come.
