The tech world is buzzing with fresh rumors about NVIDIA’s upcoming GeForce RTX 5090 graphics card surface. With just weeks until its anticipated launch at CES 2025, speculation about the price of this flagship GPU has reached new heights—and they’re enough to make your wallet sweat.
NVIDIA RTX 5090: What We Know About Its Price
According to reliable sources, the NVIDIA RTX 5090 could carry a price tag of $1,899 to $1,999. This information comes from Bits and Chips, an Italian outlet that reportedly gathered insights from Chinese and Japanese journalists. While this pricing range aligns with earlier rumors, it’s still a steep increase compared to the RTX 4090, which launched at $1,599 but now costs around $2,000 for overclocked versions.
This pricing isn’t surprising given NVIDIA’s market dominance. AMD, its primary competitor, doesn’t seem poised to challenge NVIDIA in the ultra-premium GPU segment, giving NVIDIA the freedom to push prices higher.
Why is the RTX 5090 so expensive?
The RTX 5090 is expected to pack significant upgrades that justify its premium price. Hardware leaks suggest:
- CUDA Cores: A staggering 21,760, marking a considerable jump from the RTX 4090.
- GDDR7 VRAM: 32GB of next-gen memory technology, boosting speed to 28Gbps with a 384-bit memory interface.
GDDR7 is a cutting-edge technology, much faster and more expensive than the GDDR6 and GDDR6X used in previous generations. Its high cost alone could explain the price hike.
RTX 50-Series Performance Expectations
The RTX 5090 is based on NVIDIA’s new Blackwell architecture, which promises a substantial leap in performance. Compared to its predecessor, the RTX 4090, the 5090 will deliver:
- Higher memory bandwidth for smoother gaming and AI processing.
- Improved power efficiency despite requiring hefty power input.
Meanwhile, other cards in the RTX 50 series, such as the RTX 5080, offer slightly toned-down specs but still represent significant upgrades over the RTX 40 series.
A Brief Look at Past Trends
NVIDIA’s XX90-branded GPUs have consistently set the benchmark for performance since the RTX 3090 debuted in 2020. While the RTX 30-series was widely praised for its value, the RTX 40-series faced criticism for underwhelming performance improvements and steep prices. Despite this, the RTX 40 cards have remained popular, especially for PC enthusiasts and gamers who demand top-tier performance.
Should You Wait for the RTX 5090?
For gamers, content creators, and AI developers, the RTX 5090 promises unparalleled performance, making it a worthy investment—if you can afford the price tag. However, if the cost seems prohibitive, the RTX 5080 or even current-generation cards like the RTX 4090 may still meet your needs at a lower price point.
As always, it’s wise to treat leaks with caution. Official confirmation from NVIDIA at CES 2025 will provide the final word on pricing and specifications. Until then, tech enthusiasts can only dream—and save up for this next-generation powerhouse.
Key Takeaways
- High Price Tag: The RTX 5090 is expected to cost nearly $2,000, making it one of the most expensive GPUs ever.
- Why It’s Expensive: Cutting-edge technology, such as GDDR7 memory and Blackwell architecture, drives up costs.
- Big Performance Boost: It promises faster speeds, smoother gaming, and better efficiency than previous models.
- CES 2025 Announcement: The final details about the GPU will be unveiled in January 2025.