RTX 5090 Test: DLSS 4 Ray Tracing

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Post on Jan 24, 2025

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RTX 5090 Test: DLSS 4 & Ray Tracing – My Unexpected Journey to 4K Glory (and a Few Hair-Pulling Moments)

Hey everyone! So, I finally got my hands on the RTX 5090. Been waiting ages. Let me tell you, the hype is mostly real. This thing is a beast, especially when you start pushing those ray tracing settings and cranking up the DLSS 4. But, it wasn't all smooth sailing. Let me share my rollercoaster ride.

My First Impressions: Wow, and Uh Oh...

Unboxing the card was like Christmas morning – pure, unadulterated excitement! Gorgeous, powerful-looking thing. I immediately jumped into Cyberpunk 2077, because, duh. Maxed out the settings – ray tracing on Ultra, DLSS 4 cranked to Quality.

At first? Pure bliss. The game looked unbelievably good. The reflections, the shadows, even the rain looked ridiculously real. It was like stepping into Night City. Seriously, the detail was insane. I was so excited, I almost dropped my energy drink. Almost.

Then...the stuttering started. Frame rates plummeted. I went from a buttery-smooth 60fps to something closer to a slideshow. My jaw hit the floor. What the heck? I almost threw my keyboard.

Troubleshooting the RTX 5090: The Long and Winding Road

My initial reaction was panic. Was my card defective? Did I build my rig incorrectly? A whole cascade of negative thoughts flooded my brain. I spent hours scouring forums, checking drivers, updating BIOS – the whole shebang.

Lesson 1: Always check your PSU wattage. Turns out, my old PSU, a trusty but aging 750W model, wasn't quite up to the task of feeding this power-hungry beast. The RTX 5090, especially with ray tracing maxed out, needs serious juice. I upgraded to a 1000W, and boom, problem solved (mostly).

Lesson 2: DLSS 4 isn't a magic bullet. While DLSS 4 is amazing and significantly boosts performance, it's not a free pass to max everything out. I found that dialing back a few settings – like the level of detail on distant objects – still delivered a stunning visual experience without sacrificing frame rates.

DLSS 4 Ray Tracing Benchmarks & Settings Tweaks

I ran a bunch of benchmarks using various settings and games to get a feel for the performance impact. Here's what I discovered:

• Cyberpunk 2077: With ray tracing at Ultra and DLSS 4 at Quality, I averaged around 55-65fps at 4K – totally playable, but not quite the 60fps I was aiming for.
• Control: This game is brutal on hardware. Even with DLSS 4, I had to make some compromises. I settled on Medium Ray Tracing and DLSS 4 at Performance to maintain a solid framerate.
• Watch Dogs Legion: This game surprisingly handled the RTX 5090 well. Max settings with DLSS 4 at Quality delivered a smooth, stunning experience.

Remember, your mileage may vary based on your CPU, RAM, and monitor.

Final Thoughts: Is it Worth It?

The short answer? Absolutely, if you can afford it. The RTX 5090 delivers a level of visual fidelity that's mind-blowing, especially when paired with DLSS 4 and ray tracing. However, you'll need a high-end system to truly unlock its potential. Do your research. Make sure your system can handle it, otherwise, it can be a really expensive mistake. This isn't just about the graphics card itself, but about the overall performance of your entire build.

Don't forget to check out other reviews, but trust me, the experience is worth it, even with the headaches. Happy gaming!