The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 proved to be a worthy next-generation flagship gaming GPU but is unfortunately out of reach for most gamers with its $1,999 price tag from the RTX 4090’s $1,499 price. More gamers will likely purchase the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 at a much more reasonable price of $999 or Php 72,860. With the RTX 5090’s tangible performance uplift against the RTX 4090, let’s see if the RTX 5080 keeps the momentum against the RTX 4080 and RTX 4080 SUPER.
Nvidia Blackwell Architecture
The Blackwell Architecture is probably one of the most hyped graphics architectures from NVIDIA since the announcement of the NVIDIA GH200 Grace Hopper Superchip for data centers, especially for AI. Its performance advancement in the server and AI field led enthusiasts to believe in a similar uplift on the consumer side. NVIDIA highlights Neural Rendering as the next era of computer graphics and that is what Blackwell is built upon. Blackwell Architecture uses the latest NVIDIA DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation, NVIDIA Reflex 2 features with NVIDIA RTX Neural Shaders alongside other advancements such as the use of GDDR7 memory.
DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation
One of the key highlights of the Nvidia GeForce RTX 50 series is DLSS 4 which takes advantage of the RTX Neural Shaders. In a nutshell, DLSS 4 is a steroid version of DLSS 3.5 where it’s able to generate up to three frames based on one rendered frame. unlike DLSS 3.5’s one generated frame per one rendered frame.
To put it into perspective, in a DLSS Frame Generation 4X setup at 120 FPS, only 30 frames are rasterized aka “traditionally rendered,” while the 90 frames are AI-generated with 15 out of 16 pixels in are generated by AI. There are three frames inserted in between the traditional rendered frames.
Neural Shaders, Shader Execution Reordering & Flip Metering
Is DLSS 4 available on previous RTX GPUs? Yes and No
While DLSS 4 features an upgrade in every aspect of its feature set, the main DLSS Multi Frame Generation feature is exclusive to the RTX 50 series GPUs. DLSS 3 Frame Generation’s AI model relied on game data and the RTX 40 series’ optical flow accelerator based on motion vectors, and depth to generate one frame. DLSS 4 Multi-FrameGen takes advantage of the RTX 50 series’ Neural Shaders, more efficient SER, and AI management processor to render additional frames.
Multiframe generation is taxing on older RTX GPUs due to the hardware or architectural limitations making them a “decelerator” as these renders happen within a few milliseconds. Nvidia 5th Gen Tensor Cores addresses this by having up to 2.5x more AI processing performance compared to last gen. That said, there are complexities in generating three frames in between traditional ones. For this reason, Blackwell uses hardware Flip Metering which transfers the frame pacing logic to the GPU instead of the CPU for better display timings.
These combinations of hardware and software implementations improve, or at the very least, minimize the negative impact on image quality, smoothness, and latency especially when compared to the previous DLSS technology.
DLSS Transformer Model
The previous DLSS technologies used Convolutional Neural Networks(CNNs) to generate new pixels by analyzing localized context and tracking changes in those areas over successive frames. Nvidia claimed to have peaked in maximizing DLSS CNN architecture six years after the introduction of DLSS on the RTX 20 series. This prompted them to move to the new Transformer Model for Image Quality improvements.
The new DLSS Transformer Model uses a vision transformer, enabling self-attention operations to evaluate the importance of each pixel in a frame and the next frame/s. This new model doubles the parameters of the CNN model allowing it to generate pixels with better stability, reduced ghosting, higher details, and smoother edges depending on the scene.
Nvidia Reflex 2
Nvidia implements Frame Warp, a technology commonly used in VR games. Based on the latest mouse or controller input, the CPU calculates the camera position of the next frame as the frame is being rendered by the GPU. Frame warp uses the new camera position and “warps” the frame just rendered by the GPU to the extrapolated frame. The warping is done at the last possible moment, before the rendered frame is sent to the display, ensuring the latest input is reflected on the display.
The “warped frame” has small holes or blank pixels as the supposed pixels are moved to reflect the recent movement. Nvidia’s predictive rendering algorithm uses camera, color, and depth data from prior frames to in-paint these holes. This results in users seeing the rendered frame with an updated camera perspective, without the holes. This effectively reduces the latency for any camera-moving actions in the game for better aiming or tracking.
There are currently no games that support Reflex 2 at launch but Nvidia confirmed that Reflex 2 will be coming to Valorant and The Finals.
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 Specifications
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 Founders Edition – A Closer Look
Like its bigger brother, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 Founders Edition sports the same packaging as the RTX 5090 Founders Edition. Apart from the markings on the outer box, there are no other telling signs to differentiate the GPUs.
NVIDIA still includes the standard quickstart guide and 8-pin PCIE to 12VHWPR adapter.
Like what we’ve seen with the previous RTX 30 series and RTX 40 series Founders Edition graphics cards, the shade of the RTX 5080 is slightly different from the RTX 5090. You have a darker gray highlight on the RTX 5080 Founders Edition as opposed to the dark bronze found on the RTX 5090 Founders Edition. Apart from the different colors on the hourglass frame, you still have the same double flowthrough cooler design.
The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 Founders Edition has a rated TGP of 360W, 40 watts higher than the RTX 4080 and RTX 4080 Super. That said, in terms of TGP the RTX 5080 is in between the RTX 4090 and RTX 4080 GPUs.
With only a 320W TDP of the RTX 5080, the included 12VHPWR adapter has only three 8-pin PCIE connectors. It’s nice seeing that they’re still individually braided for better flexibility and durability.
The RTX 5080 has three DisplayPort 2.1b ports and one HDMI 2.1b port meaning that it can support up to 4K 480Hz or 8K 120Hz with display stream compression.
Size Comparison vs other GPUs
RTX 5080 Founders Edition vs RTX 5090 Founders Edition
RTX 5080 Founders Edition vs Inno3D RTX 5080, RTX 4080 SUPER FE, RTX 4070 FE
Benchmark Setup and Test Methodology
Gadget Pilipinas’ testing philosophy is to provide detail-oriented results as accurately as possible so that our readers can replicate our tests given that these conditions are met. Different benchmarking apps and sequences are used depending on the tested component or device.
We use CapFrameX 1.7.5 BETA as our primary FPS capture and analysis tool for all our gaming benchmarks. The latest build version of Windows 11 Pro and WHQL-certified drivers are used for our benchmarks. Readings such as temperatures and power draws are recorded using HWINFO64, and other relevant software for cross-checking.
For more info, read our Review and Benchmark methodology article.
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 Synthetic and Productivity Benchmarks
CINEBENCH 2024
Maxon’s Cinebench benchmark is one of the most iconic benchmark applications used by reviewers and enthusiasts. The latest Cinebench 2024 uses the latest rendering architectures, including Intel’s Embree ray tracing technology and other advanced features from AMD and Intel that allow users to render the same scene on the same hard.
ADOBE PREMIERE PRO VIDEO EDITING BENCHMARK
Procyon benchmark suite is developed by the UL, the same team behind 3DMark and PCMark benchmarks. The UL Procycon video editing benchmark uses Adobe Premiere in a typical video editing workflow. The benchmark starts by importing two video project files with various edits, adjustments, and effects – the second project uses several GPU-accelerated effects. Each project is exported in 1080p with H.264 encoding and again in 4K with HEVC H.265. The reported score is based on the time taken to export all four videos. GPU acceleration is turned on for GPU benchmarks.
PCMark10
From the same developers of the popular game benchmarking tool 3DMark, PCMark 10 is a benchmarking app for measuring a whole PC’s performance. It covers a wide variety of tests to reflect common tasks performed in a modern workplace. We selected PCMark 10’s extended benchmark and reported both the overall score and the Digital Content Creation Score.
V-RAY 6
V-Ray Benchmark is a stand-alone version of V-Ray developed by Chaos Group. It is designed to test the CPU and GPU by rendering sample scenes at a fixed amount of time. V-Ray is a plug-in mostly utilized by 3D computer graphics software applications mainly for industrial design, product design, architecture, film, and video game production. V-Ray is not limited to 64-threads as it supports multi and mega-threading.
GeekBench 6.3
Geekbench is a multi-platform benchmark used to gauge CPU performance and compare them across Windows, Mac, and Mobile. Geekbench 6 is the latest version and doesn’t rely on memory more than the previous Geekbench 4, making it a great tool to measure both single-core and multi-core CPU performance. Geekbench also sa GPU benchmarks using the OpenCL and Vulkan API.
BLENDER 4.3.0
Blender is a widely used, free, open-source 3D creation suite. It supports the whole 3D pipeline process from modeling, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering, and even motion tracking. Blender has become a standard for CPU benchmarks with the BMW27 and Classroom Scene most used. This prompted the company to release Blender Open Data Benchmark in 2018, a benchmark-specific version allowing users to run a preset benchmark and share the results online like 3DMark.
HANDBRAKE 1.8.2
Handbrake is a top-rated open-source video conversion software that is used by professionals, enthusiasts, and even reviewers as a reference point mainly because of its wide variety of media codecs. The rise of streaming and blogging makes video content, both encoding and transcoding important for these people, regardless of whether they’re seasoned professionals or just starting out. Handbrake also takes advantage of AVX-512 and OpenCL to accelerate certain types of media codecs. Our Handbrake benchmark converts a 3:16 4K60 clip shot from an S24 Ultra to 1080p60 H264 mp4 for CPU or 1080p NVENC H265 for GPU.
3DMark Benchmark Suite
3DMark is the go-to benchmark for gamers because of the ability to share and compare results online. We test GPUs both in DX11 Firestike and DX12 Timespy for the “classic” benchmarks. We also used 3DMark’s latest Steel Nomad and SpeedWay benchmarks as we slowly shift to these “more accurate” synthetic game benchmarks.
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 AI Benchmarks
Geekbench AI
Computer Vision – Procyon
Image Generation – Procyon
Text Generation – Procyon
Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 Gaming Benchmarks
RETURNAL
Returnal is one of the most technologically advanced games since the launch of Cyberpunk 2077. Released last April 2021 on PS5 and February 2023 on PC, it uses Unreal Engine 4 and supports multiple technologies such as Ray Tracing, DLSS, VSR, and FSR.
COUNTERSTRIKE 2
CounterStrike 2 or CS2 is the successor to the now-retired CSGO and now uses the Source 2 Engine – the same engine used on DOTA 2. CS2 is a great FPS game to test out CPU performance. Our benchmark process uses the replay function of the game.
DOTA 2
Dota 2 is a good reputation among F2P titles especially MOBAs and RTS as it lands on the demanding side of the spectrum. Its gameplay and quality of life updates are far more frequent than most F2P titles thanks to its vast popularity. Our benchmark sequence is based on a replay of Liquid vs. Gaimin Gladiators in the The International Grand Finals Game 3 from the team fight that happened from 16:24 to 17:24.
SPIDER-MAN: MILES MORALES
Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales is developed by Insomniac Games and published by Sony is one of the most popular PC port titles last 2022. It’s one of the few modern game titles that support upscaling technologies FSR, DLSS, and XeSS making it a great title to use for benchmarks.
F1 23
F1 23 is the official video game of the 2023 Formula One and Formula 2 championships developed by Codemasters. F1 2023 is the sixteenth installment in the franchise and uses the Ego Engine 4.0. F1 233 is a good representation of racing games thanks to its realistic graphics and fairly demanding spec requirements as well as support for Ray Tracing and the latest upscaling technologies such as DLSS, XeSS, and FSR.
ASSASSIN’S CREED: MIRAGE
Assassin’s Creed Mirage is the latest Assassin’s Creed game from Ubisoft making it the thirteenth major installment in the franchise. It uses the AnvilNext 2.0 game engine and is the very first AC game to support the latest upscaling technology such as XeSS, FSR, and DLSS.
Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077 is arguably the most hyped game of 2020. Developed by CD Projekt Red, the dystopian open-world, action-adventure RPG sports is one of the most demanding titles to date. Cyberpunk 2077 also supports three Ray Tracing settings as well as DLSS which makes the game a great tool to measure Ray tracing performance for both AMD and Nvidia graphics cards.
HORIZON FORBIDDEN WEST
Horizon Forbidden West is a 2022 action role-playing game developed by Guerrilla Games and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. The Horizon Zero Dawn game sequel launched on PC last March 2024 built on the Decima Game Engine, the same one used on Death Stranding. Horizon Forbidden West features Ray Tracing and Upscaling technologies not present in the prequel game.
BLACK MYTH WUKONG
Black Myth: Wukong is one of the most popular game titles launched in 2024 with its stunning graphics thanks to the Unreal Engine 5. Developed by Game Science, Black Myth: Wukong is one of the most demanding titles recently released titles with complete Ray Tracing and Upscaling technology features making it a great benchmark for new hardware.
GHOST OF TSUSHIMA
Ghost of Tsushima is an action-adventure game developed by Sucker Punch Productions and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. It was initially released for the PlayStation 4 in July 2020 and later for PlayStation 5 and Windows. Ghost of Tsushima runs on a modified and optimized version of Sucker Punch’s in-house engine, originally built for the PlayStation platforms.
HOGWARTS LEGACY
Hogwarts Legacy is a popular game catering to the hearts of Harry Potter fans and gamers with its rich world and engaging gameplay. Developed by Avalanche Software and built on the Unreal Engine 4, Hogwarts Legacy delivers detailed environments and character models with support for the latest rendering and upscaling technologies.
FAR CRY 6
FarCry 6 is an FPS game published by Ubisoft and uses the Dunia engine. It heavily relies on and takes advantage of DirectX 12 to render a realistic environment that makes it taxing to both the CPU and GPU. It’s also the first game of the franchise to support Ray Tracing.
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 Ray Tracing and DLSS Benchmarks
CYBERPUNK 2077
F1 23
HOGWARTS LEGACY
RETURNAL
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 Temps and Power Draw
The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 Founders Edition shares the same double flow through cooler as its bigger brother, the RTX 5090 FE. That said, the RTX 5080 has the advantage when it comes to cooling with its lesser specs and of course, lower TDP at only 360W compared to the RTX 5090’s 575W. This results in the RTX 5080 Founders Edition GPU peaking only at 73.2°C and only having an idle temp of 33.5°C
Conclusion – An Efficient RTX 4090?
Looking at the RTX 50 series spec sheet at a glance, there’s a really large gap between the RTX 5080 and RTX 5090 GPU with over half the difference. Yet, given the performance of the RTX 5090, most of us, myself included, expected a somewhat scalable improvement with the RTX 5080. Unfortunately, our benchmarks show otherwise, especially to those expecting a stronger but cheaper than RTX 4090 class GPU.
Unrealistic expectations aside, the Blackwell Architecture GPUs are built on TSMC’s 3nm node which is only 1nm “smaller” than Ada Lovelace’s 4nm node. Meaning that the performance and efficiency improvement aren’t as big this time around compared to the shrink from Ampere’s 7nm to 4nm. With that in mind, the RTX 5080’s performance is what you would expect with these minimal gains – spoiler alert, its true value lies on DLSS 4.
The launch price of the RTX 5080 at Php 72,860($999 US) is lower than the RTX 4080’s launch price of Php 84,200($1,119 US) and is the same price as the RTX 4080 SUPER. So, for the same price as last year’s SUPER card, or if you want a more direct comparison, lower than the RTX 4080, you’re getting 10% more performance in rasterization. That said, the performance comes at a cost, and that’s about 10% more power consumption than both its predecessors. Factoring in DLSS 4 and you get performance that’s closer to the RTX 5090 with 4x Frame Gen.
Overall, the RTX 5080 still presents an upgrade value for consumers, just not in the conventional sense as pure rasterization leaves you about 15% improvement at best over the RTX 4080 SUPER. As mentioned in our RTX 5090 review, the value of the RTX 5080 lies in how you value these AI technologies that are exclusive to Blackwell Architecture. However, in the RTX 5080’s case, the price is no longer an issue for most people. So, if you’re looking to get the best GPU that’s available with a considerable budget left towards building the rest of the PC, then the RTX 5080 should be your go-to GPU for your 2025 PC Build – not unless you’re willing to take the risk on the second-hand market and deal with the more power hungry RTX 4090.
Source: Gadget Pilipinas
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