On the fence whether an NVIDIA RTX 5090 is for you? In this ultimate guide we’re taking a deep dive into this graphics card, highlighting all the key details and what hardware you need to upgrade.
RTX 50 Series Stock
The RTX 5090 has sold out due to high demand.
50 Series Launch Update: Pre-orders are temporarily paused whilst we work with our supply chain on stock availability and timelines. Until then, please sign up for stock notifications for the product you want to be alerted to once it is available. Keep an eye on our forums and Discord for up-to-date information on incoming stock and availability.
The NVIDIA RTX 50 Series
Designed with gamers and creative professionals in mind, the NVIDIA RTX 50 Series seriously packs a punch. Equipped with 5th-gen Tensor and 4th-gen RT cores, along with cutting-edge AI enhancements these GPUs are primed for AAA rendering, silky-smooth performance, and blisteringly fast speeds.
You can read more about the NVIDIA RTX 50 Series and why you want one of these GPUs in our ultimate hub.
RTX 5090 vs RTX 4090: What’s the Difference?
Both the RTX 5090 and 4090 are the flagship models of their respective series, primed for enthusiasts, creators, and professionals who require only the very best performance possible. However, there are some differences between the two GPUs, and we’ve broken all of them down below.
| Architecture | CUDA Cores | Base Clock | Boost Clock | RT Cores | Tensor Cores | VRAM | Memory Bus | TDP | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RTX 5090 | Blackwell | 21760 | 2.01GHz | 2.41GHz | 4th-gen | 5th-gen | 32GB GDDR7 | 512-bit | 575W |
| RTX 4090 | Ada Lovelace | 16385 | 2.23GHz | 2.52GHz | 3rd-gen | 4th-gen | 24GB GDDR6X | 384-bit | 450W |
RTX 5090
Crafted with powerful Blackwell architecture, the RTX 5090 packs in 21,760 CUDA cores to deliver up to two times uplift in performance compared to the RTX 4090. Speeds of up to 2.41GHz facilitate rapid rendering, even in your graphically demanding applications. This means you can game, stream, and create with ease, knowing the RTX 5090 can handle it all.
With over 5,000 more CUDA cores, along with 4th-gen RT and 5th-gen Tensor cores, the RTX 5090 is primed for lifelike visuals to deliver glorious detail, true-to-life lighting and shadows, along with buttery-smooth frame rates. Everything you need to serious dominate your in-game competition. Built into the RTX 5090 is neural rendering to enhance this GPU’s real-time rendering capabilities even further. Onboard RTX Neural Shaders such as Neural Texture Compression and Material Shading unlock truly cinematic image quality and lighting in real-time.
What’s more, the RTX 5090 includes 32GB of GDDR7 for peak efficiency and near-zero latency during AAA gaming, live streaming, video editing, and much more.
All this incredible gaming tech does come with a price, however. The RTX 5090 has a hefty TDP of up to 575W, meaning you’ll need to ensure you have a power supply that can handle the demands of this graphics card.
While NVIDIA’s official dimensions list the card as measuring 304 x 137mm, the actual size of the GPU depends on the manufacturer with some models opting for a triple-slot cooling solution instead of the base dual-slot. As a result, we recommend you play it safe, and pair the RTX 5090 with a case that has a GPU clearance of at least 380mm, if not 400mm.
RTX 4090
The RTX 4090 has also been optimised for AAA gaming. Founded upon Ada Lovelace architecture, this GPU packs in 16385 CUDA cores and nearly 48 billion transistors compared to Ampere. Similar to the RTX 5090, this GPU includes support for Ray Tracing and AI DLSS, featuring 3rd-gen RT and 4th-gen Tensor cores to deliver lifelike visuals in-game. Unlike the RTX 5090, the 4090 harnesses GDDR6 memory to ensure your gaming adventures remain uninterrupted from latency or lag.
The RTX 4090 has a smaller TDP compared to the 5090, requiring 450W, and does come equipped with a large onboard heatsink to help keep temperatures to a minimum.
What Hardware Do I Need to Upgrade to the RTX 5090
CPU
To facilitate outstanding performance, we recommend you pair your RTX 5090 with either an AMD Ryzen 9000 or Intel Core Ultra Series CPU. These processors have been primed for multi-threaded tasks, sporting rapid processing speeds and seamless multitasking.
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Processor
- AMD Ryzen 9000 Series
- Zen 5 architecture
- 8 cores and 16 threads
- 96MB 3D V-Cache
- Supports AM5 sockets
Intel Core Ultra 9 285K Processor
- Intel Core Ultra Series
- Intel Arrow Lake architecture
- 24 cores and 24 threads
- LGA 1851 socket required
- 5.7GHz boosted clock speed
RAM
Harness powerful DDR5 RAM with a high capacity to take advantage of blisteringly fast load times as you work and play.
Kingston Fury Beast EXPO 32GB (2x16GB) Dual Channel RAM Kit
- 32GB (2x16GB) capacity
- DDR5 standard
- 6000MHz speed
- Dual-channel configuration
- AMD EXPO compatible
PSU
With a TDP of 575W, it’s recommended that you pair your RTX 5090 with a PSU that has a maximum wattage of at least 1000W. This will ensure you have more than enough power to supply your GPU and your other components, along with any unexpected power spikes.
In addition to a 1000W capacity, it’s vital your PSU also sports a high 80 PLUS rating, such as Gold or above, as this will mean your power supply will still be efficient even under heavy loads.
ASUS ROG Strix 1000W Platinum 80 PLUS Power Supply
- 1000W capacity
- 80 PLUS Platinum rating
- Dedicated ‘GPU-First’ voltage which prioritises up to 45% delivery to your GPU
- ATX 3.1 compatible
- PCIe 5.0 support
Case
The standard dimensions of an RTX 5090 are 304 x 137mm*, meaning your PC case will need to have a large enough GPU clearance to accommodate this. We recommend you pair the RTX 5090 with a case that has a clearance that is at least 340mm, 380mm, or higher. This will give you plenty of space for your graphics card, complex cooling, and any extra customisation that you wish to add.
HAVN HS420 Black Mid Tower PC Case
- Mid tower
- Stylish UniSheet panoramic glass side panel
- Up to E-ATX motherboards support
- GPU clearance of up to 480mm
- Anti-sag GPU bracket included
- Compatible with up to 11 x 140mm fans or 420mm radiators
GPU dimensions vary depending on the manufacturer. For your model’s exact dimensions, check the manufacturer’s product page or manual.
Don’t Know How to Purchase an RTX 5090?
Have we convinced you to upgrade to an NVIDIA RTX 5090? There’s high demand for these incredible graphics cards so be sure to check out our blog post for all the details you need to know about ordering an RTX 5090 at Overclockers UK.
Learn More About NVIDIA GPUs
Did You Upgrade to an NVIDIA RTX 5090?
Did you upgrade to the RTX 5090? How has it improved your performance? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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Ruth Rowley
Author
Ruth has been with Overclockers UK for over a year and has gone on to write about everything ranging from in-depth hardware guides to monthly game releases.
Outside of writing blog posts, she can be found wrapped in a blanket with her black cat, engrossed in a book or playing life-simulation games such as The Sims, Stardew Valley, and Animal Crossing.
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Kidneys are at the ready to be sold for the 5090
Deffo wanna pre order a a rtx5090 has soon has you know anything
I’m so hyped up I could wrestle an action man.
You do you, boo.