HardwareDesktop PCsLeaks suggest the RTX 5090 will pack 32GB VRAM, but it’s the RTX 5080 I’m worried aboutWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
HardwareDesktop PCsLeaks suggest the RTX 5090 will pack 32GB VRAM, but it’s the RTX 5080 I’m worried aboutWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Future)
FreshRTX 5090and RTX 5080 specs just leaked, andNvidia’s potential nextbest graphics cardcontenders are a bit of a head-scratcher. While I don’t find the flagship GPU boasting 32GB VRAM that surprising, I’m struggling to get my head around the RTX 5080 sticking with 16GB.
There’s more to graphics cards than just memory, but if this generation has proven anything, lower VRAM can come with ramifications. It feels like only yesterday that Nvidia unannounced its 12GB 4080 card in response to the backlash, leaving just the original RTX 4080. In truth, even the 16GB model’s reputation ended up in dispute, only slightly recovering thanks to theGeForce RTX 4080 Superand its enhancements.
GeForce RTX 5090PG144/145-SKU30GB202-300-A121760FP32512-bit GDDR7 32G600WSeptember 26, 2024
GeForce RTX 5090PG144/145-SKU30GB202-300-A121760FP32512-bit GDDR7 32G600WSeptember 26, 2024
GeForce RTX 5090PG144/145-SKU30GB202-300-A121760FP32512-bit GDDR7 32G600WSeptember 26, 2024
GeForce RTX 5090PG144/145-SKU30GB202-300-A121760FP32512-bit GDDR7 32G600WSeptember 26, 2024
It’s well worth noting that the reliable insider has shared more than just memory specs, as they claim the RTX 5090 will come armed with 21,760 CUDA cores, a 512-bit bus, and a monstrous 600W TDP. On the flip side, the RTX 5080 seemingly packs 10,752 cores, a 256-bit memory bus, and sits at 400W. On paper, the flagship feels like it’s going to be much more of a leap than the 80-series card, and that in itself is intriguing.
Massive memory gap?
(Image credit: Nvidia)
Before I start fleshing out my thoughts, it’s worth once again gulping down the usual pinch of salt. While Kopite7kimi has been a reliable source, Nvidia likes to chop and change its next-gen GPU plans. That said, the green team might already have some generational plans up its sleeve that have led to the RTX 5080 sticking with 16GB, and on paper specs aren’t necessarily an indication of performance.
The RTX 5080 appears to be in the same position with its GB203-400 GPU, but the fact its specs are halved means that there’s absolutely room for a model with a wider memory bus. In turn, this could result in Nvidia releasing an RTX 5080 Super down the road with more VRAM, providing an opportunity for a mid-generation refresh.
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The TLDR of all of this boils down to the RTX 5080 appearing pretty underwhelming compared to the RTX 5090. I’m not personally convinced that the 90-class card won’t show up in place of an ultra-enthusiast TITAN card this time around, which may have huge implications in terms of price. Ultimately, my prediction is that Nvidia will pitch the RTX 5080 as a gaming component while the flagship will cater to AI usage.
But hey, that’s just a guess, and we won’t know anything for certain until Nvidia reveals its next-gen GPU plans.
Today’s best graphics card dealsNvidia GeForce RTX 4080 Super$1,099.99ViewSee all pricesNvidia RTX 4060$299.99ViewSee all pricesAMD Radeon RX 7700 XT$419.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best graphics card dealsNvidia GeForce RTX 4080 Super$1,099.99ViewSee all pricesNvidia RTX 4060$299.99ViewSee all pricesAMD Radeon RX 7700 XT$419.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best graphics card dealsNvidia GeForce RTX 4080 Super$1,099.99ViewSee all pricesNvidia RTX 4060$299.99ViewSee all pricesAMD Radeon RX 7700 XT$419.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best graphics card deals
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 Super$1,099.99ViewSee all pricesNvidia RTX 4060$299.99ViewSee all pricesAMD Radeon RX 7700 XT$419.99ViewSee all prices
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 Super$1,099.99ViewSee all prices
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 Super$1,099.99ViewSee all prices
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 Super
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 Super
$1,099.99View
$1,099.99
$1,099.99
See all prices
Nvidia RTX 4060$299.99ViewSee all prices
Nvidia RTX 4060$299.99ViewSee all prices
Nvidia RTX 4060
Nvidia RTX 4060
$299.99View
$299.99
$299.99
See all prices
AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT$419.99ViewSee all prices
AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT$419.99ViewSee all prices
AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT
AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT
$419.99View
$419.99
$419.99
See all prices
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1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1
Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2
Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
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Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
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Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2
Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3
Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5
Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
1
Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2
Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
3
Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
4
Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5
Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”