Key Takeaways
1. The RTX 5080 launch was disappointing, showing minimal upgrades compared to the previous model, while the RTX 5090 performed significantly better.
2. The RTX 5090 features 33% more CUDA cores, 32 GB of GDDR7 VRAM, and a 79% increase in memory bandwidth, making it ideal for ultra-high-resolution VR.
3. In VR gaming benchmarks, the RTX 5090 demonstrated substantial performance gains, including a 50% boost in Skyrim VR at 300% resolution and a 65% improvement in Outer Wilds VR.
4. The RTX 5090 outperformed the RTX 4090 by an impressive 152% in Red Matter 2 at 400% resolution, showcasing its dominance in VR applications.
5. Designed for enthusiasts, the RTX 5090 is a strong choice for VR fans, provided supply issues are resolved.
The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 and 5080 had a rather controversial launch, to say the least. The RTX 5080 turned out to be quite disappointing, showing a barely noticeable upgrade compared to its earlier version. On the other hand, the RTX 5090 performed better, which was expected given its 33% increase in CUDA cores and VRAM. A recent analysis on YouTube suggests that the RTX 5090 could offer a remarkable generational leap in a particular area: ultra-high-resolution Virtual Reality.
Specs of the RTX 5090
Before we get into the exciting details, let’s recap what the Nvidia RTX 5090 has to offer: It has 33% more CUDA cores compared to the RTX 4090, a TDP of 575 watts, and 32 GB of GDDR7 VRAM on a 512-bit bus, leading to an enormous ~79% increase in memory bandwidth. This rapid memory bandwidth is crucial for ultra-high-resolution VR settings. It’s worth mentioning that several high-end VR headsets with incredibly high per-eye resolutions are on the way, which is why @Omniwhatever set up 400% virtual desktop (6144×6432) on his Quest 3 headset, which is currently priced at $500 on Amazon.
Performance in VR Games
Kicking off with Skyrim VR, the GeForce RTX 5090 showed a 24.5% advantage over the RTX 4090, a modest gain that aligns with gaming benchmarks. But at 300% resolution, the RTX 5090 achieved an impressive ~50% boost compared to the RTX 4090. In Outer Wilds VR, the RTX 5090 really shines, boasting a significant 65% improvement at 400% resolution. The super-fast 1.792 TB/s memory bandwidth is clearly proving its worth.
Dominance in Red Matter 2
In Red Matter 2, the GeForce RTX 5090, to put it simply, leaves the RTX 4090 in the dust—at 400% resolution, the RTX 5090 surpasses the RTX 4090 by an astonishing 152%. Omniwhatever tested a variety of other games on both graphics cards, and the RTX 5090 consistently showed remarkable performance gains. Even so, VR still remains a niche market even in 2025, particularly in the ultra-high-end category where the RTX 5090 truly excels.
Conclusion
The RTX 5090 is designed for enthusiasts. Its impressive performance in demanding workloads is excellent news for VR fans with deep pockets, assuming that the poor supply situation improves. Be sure to check out Omniwhatever’s outstanding video embedded below!
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