Nvidia and AMD each introduced their subsequent technology PC graphics playing cards at CES 2025.
Nvidia’s new GeForce RTX 50 sequence and AMD’s new Radeon RX 9070 sequence carry modest uncooked efficiency enhancements alongside considerably enhanced neural upscaling, neural body technology, and ray tracing capabilities.
Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 50 Collection
Nvidia introduced the RTX 5070, RTX 5070 Ti, RTX 5080, and RTX 5090 PC graphics playing cards, the primary client merchandise to make use of its new Blackwell GPU structure.
| CUDA Cores | VRAM | Bus Width | TDP | MSRP | |
| RTX 5070 | 6144 | 12 GB GDDR7 | 192-bit | 250W | $550 |
| RTX 5070 Ti | 8960 | 16 GB GDDR7 | 256-bit | 300W | $750 |
| RTX 5080 | 10752 | 16 GB GDDR7 | 256-bit | 360W | $1000 |
| RTX 5090 | 21760 | 32 GB GDDR7 | 512-bit | 575W | $2000 |
The RTX 50 sequence are the primary client playing cards with GDDR7 VRAM, which gives 33% quicker reminiscence bandwidth in comparison with GDDR6X VRAM. Mixed with the higher variety of CUDA cores, this could end in 20-50% greater uncooked raster efficiency in comparison with the earlier technology.
However uncooked raster efficiency is not Blackwell’s primary focus. The brand new structure additionally brings fourth-generation RT Cores and fifth-generation Tensor Cores. These RT Cores have a 2x ray triangle intersection charge for greater ray tracing efficiency, whereas the Tensor Cores allow the flagship function of the brand new DLSS 4: Multi Body Technology.
If you happen to’re unfamiliar, DLSS (Deep Studying Tremendous Sampling) is Nvidia’s neural upscaling and body technology expertise. It permits the GPU to render at a decrease decision and body charge, with the picture upscaled utilizing machine studying and artificial frames generated. The earlier RTX 40 sequence launched single body technology, enabling an efficient doubling of body charge, just like the Utility Spacewarp and Movement Smoothing options of VR compositors. The brand new RTX 50 sequence now allows as much as three intermediate frames, successfully quadrupling body charge. Nevertheless, DLSS body technology is not supported in any VR recreation that we’re conscious of, and leads to elevated latency in comparison with VR-specific body extrapolation methods.
We suggest watching Digital Foundary’s DLSS 4 take a look at for a full rationalization of Multi Body Technology.
Nvidia says the RTX 5080 and RTX 5090 will arrive on January 30, priced at $950 and $2000 respectively, whereas RTX 5070 and RTX 5070 Ti will launch in February at $550 and $750.
AMD’s RX 9070 & RX 9070 XT
AMD has launched far fewer particulars on its subsequent technology playing cards, RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT.
The corporate says the RX 9070 playing cards are meant to supply reasonably priced efficiency, competing with Nvidia’s RTX 5070 fairly than its greater finish product. However it hasn’t launched pricing but, and nor has it revealed a selected launch timeline past “Q1 2025”.
What we do know is that each playing cards function AMD’s new RDNA 4 structure and are constructed on a 4nm course of, down from 5nm on the earlier RX 7000 sequence. Additional, they each have 16GB of GDDR6 VRAM. That is extra 4GB greater than Nvidia’s RTX 5070, however at a slower velocity.
Each playing cards additionally introduce AMD’s second-generation AI accelerators which energy FidelityFX Tremendous Decision 4 (FSR 4), AMD’s reply to Nvidia’s DLSS 4. AMD hasn’t but detailed the enhancements of FSR 4, however like DLSS, it additionally is not supported by the vast majority of VR video games.
PC VR Pushes Ahead
Sure, some individuals use PC VR to play the identical type of graphically simplistic titles which might be standard on Quest, equivalent to Beat Saber, Gorilla Tag, and Walkabout Mini Golf, and these titles have been playable at sharp resolutions at most settings for years now.
However the magic of PC VR is that it will possibly help high-fidelity practical flight and racing simulators too, in addition to detailed VRChat worlds populated by dozens of detailed avatars, and better high quality variations of AAA VR titles like Skydance’s Behemoth. As we speak, even the mighty RTX 4090 is not able to working these experiences at a perfect decision at maxed out settings. VR is uniquely demanding, owing to its stereo rendering, large subject of view, and strict intolerance for added latency.
SteamVR Noticed Close to-File Utilization In December
December 2024 noticed the second highest proportion of Steam avid gamers utilizing a VR headset ever, when adjusted for Chinese language customers.
As 4K per eye PC VR headsets like Shiftall’s MeganeX superlight and Pimax Dream Air are set to reach in 2025, becoming a member of a market that features 3K per eye headsets like Somnium VR1 and Pimax Crystal Mild, PC VR fanatics can be crying out for the graphical horsepower to essentially reap the benefits of these resolutions. Nvidia is ready to tailor to that on the excessive finish, whereas AMD will supply reasonably priced competitors that would entice swathes of Quest house owners to construct a PC and see what SteamVR has to supply.
