Nvidia launches RTX 50 Series graphics cards with massive performance boost

Nvidia has announced at CES its new GeForce RTX 50 Series graphics cards, featuring the Blackwell RTX architecture and promising significant performance improvements through AI-powered rendering technologies.

Core specifications and improvements: The new RTX Blackwell Neural Rendering Architecture contains 92 billion transistors and delivers substantial performance upgrades across multiple metrics.

• The architecture provides 125 Shader Teraflops, 380 RT TFLOPS, and up to 4,000 AI TOPS
• Features 1.8 terabytes per second of memory bandwidth and new G7 memory from Micron
• Includes innovative technologies like RTX Neural Shaders, DLSS 4, RTX Neural Face rendering, and Reflex 2

DLSS 4 breakthrough performance: The latest version of Nvidia’s Deep Learning Super Sampling technology represents a major leap forward in graphics rendering capabilities.

• Can generate multiple frames simultaneously using advanced AI technology
• Delivers up to 8x better performance compared to systems without AI processing
• Supports over 75 games and applications at launch
• Reduces latency by up to 75% with the new Reflex 2 Frame Warp technology

Product lineup and pricing: Nvidia is releasing both desktop and laptop variants of the RTX 50 Series at various price points and performance levels.

• Desktop flagship RTX 5090: 3,404 AI TOPS, 32GB G7 memory, priced at $1,999
• RTX 5080: 1,800 AI TOPS, 16GB memory, $999
• RTX 5070 Ti: 1,406 AI TOPS, 16GB memory, $749
• RTX 5070: 1,117 AI TOPS, 12GB memory, $549
• Laptop variants range from $1,299 to $2,899

AI integration and gaming applications: The new GPUs leverage AI technology to enhance gaming experiences and enable new features.

• Introduces autonomous game characters in titles like PUBG: Battlegrounds and MIR5
• Supports AI-powered creative tools for streamers and content creators
• Enables local running of generative AI models with improved efficiency
• Features Project R2X, a vision-enabled PC avatar for desktop assistance

Market availability: The rollout of the new graphics cards will occur in phases across different manufacturers and form factors.

• Desktop GPUs will be available through Nvidia directly and various retail partners
• Laptop models featuring the new GPUs will launch starting in March 2025
• Major manufacturers including ASUS, Dell, HP, and Lenovo will offer systems with the new GPUs

Future implications: This release marks a significant shift in how AI technology is being integrated into consumer graphics processing, potentially reshaping the gaming and content creation landscape for years to come. The marriage of traditional graphics processing with AI capabilities suggests a future where gaming experiences become increasingly sophisticated and responsive to player behavior.