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NVIDIA - GeForce RTX 5080 vs NVIDIA - GeForce RTX 5090

Last updated · How Mars Score works
GeForce RTX 5080NVIDIARENDER
Probe A
NVIDIA
GeForce RTX 5080
71.9/ 100B
Benchmarks77· 40%
Core71· 30%
Memory64· 20%
Power & Form· 10%
GeForce RTX 5090NVIDIARENDER
Probe B
NVIDIA
GeForce RTX 5090
88.5/ 100S
Benchmarks91· 40%
Core81· 30%
Memory95· 20%
Power & Form· 10%
Quick verdict

Between the GeForce RTX 5080 and GeForce RTX 5090, the GeForce RTX 5080 comes out ahead in tdp and boost clock, while the GeForce RTX 5090 wins on cuda / stream cores and ray tracing cores. Overall, the GeForce RTX 5080 scores 71.9 and the GeForce RTX 5090 scores 88.5 on our Mars Score.

Buying advice

Which should you buy?

The GeForce RTX 5090 is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 16.6 points on the Mars Score. The margin is wide enough that the underdog only makes sense if its individual strengths line up with what you specifically need.

Pick the GeForce RTX 5080 if you care most about tdp and boost clock. The biggest gaps in its favor are tdp, boost clock.

Pick the GeForce RTX 5090 if you push the hardware — gaming, on-device AI, heavy multitasking — and the extra compute headroom is worth the trade-offs. Its strongest claims are cuda / stream cores, ray tracing cores, vram, among others.

Both ship with comparable dlss, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.

Bottom line: the GeForce RTX 5090 is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.

Why NVIDIA - GeForce RTX 5080 wins

  • TDP — 215.00 W less. 360 vs 575.
  • Boost clock — 8.72% more. 2617 MHz vs 2407 MHz.

Why NVIDIA - GeForce RTX 5090 wins

  • CUDA / Stream cores — 102.38% more. 21760 vs 10752.
  • Ray tracing cores — 102.38% more. 170 vs 84.
  • VRAM — 100.00% more. 32 GB vs 16 GB.
  • Memory bus — 100.00% more. 512 bit vs 256 bit.
  • 3DMark Time Spy — 36.55% more. 32500 vs 23800.
Full readout

Spec comparison

Core

SpecNVIDIA - GeForce RTX 5080NVIDIA - GeForce RTX 5090
ChipsetGB203GB202
Base clock2295 MHzlead2017 MHz
Boost clock2617 MHzlead2407 MHz
CUDA / Stream cores1075221760lead
Ray tracing cores84170lead

Memory

SpecNVIDIA - GeForce RTX 5080NVIDIA - GeForce RTX 5090
VRAM16 GB32 GBlead
VRAM typeGDDR7GDDR7
Memory bus256 bit512 bitlead

Power & Form

SpecNVIDIA - GeForce RTX 5080NVIDIA - GeForce RTX 5090
TDP360 Wlead575 W
Recommended PSU850 Wlead1000 W
Length304 mm304 mm
Slot size2-slot2-slot

Benchmarks

SpecNVIDIA - GeForce RTX 5080NVIDIA - GeForce RTX 5090
3DMark Time Spy2380032500lead
DLSStruetrue
FSRfalsefalse
Reader questions

Frequently asked

Which has more VRAM, GeForce RTX 5080 or GeForce RTX 5090?+

GeForce RTX 5090 ships with 32GB GDDR7 vs 16GB.

Which scores higher in 3DMark Time Spy, GeForce RTX 5080 or GeForce RTX 5090?+

GeForce RTX 5090 scores 32500 vs 23800.

Which draws less power, GeForce RTX 5080 or GeForce RTX 5090?+

GeForce RTX 5080 draws 360W TDP vs 575W.

Drill down

Spec-level deep dives

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