HardwareDesktop PCsNvidia will apparently release the RTX 5080 in January, before the RTX 5090, and I’m okay with thatWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
HardwareDesktop PCsNvidia will apparently release the RTX 5080 in January, before the RTX 5090, and I’m okay with thatWhen 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: Nvidia / Future)

It’s safe to say a newNvidiaGPU is coming, but new leaks suggest the RTX 5080 will show up before the RTX 5090. Specifically, we could be looking at a mid-January launch for the 80-class card, and the RTX 5090 might not show up until later in the year.
As for what will actually happen during Nvidia’s CES 2025 keynote,Videocardzsays it has been told the event will focus on the RTX 5080. This suggests that the GeForce RTX 5090 might not make an appearance at all, which makes sense if it’s not scheduled to release until later in the year. Whether CEO Jensen Huang will at least touch on the flagship remains to be seen, but this release date pattern might not be the worst thing for the GPU scene in its current state.
Should you wait for the RTX 5090?
(Image credit: Nvidia)

Look, I want to see what the RTX 5090 can do as much as the next frame rate hungry person. However, I feel like wanting that potentially monstrous graphics card to arrive first when I can already hit 600fps in Overwatch 2 using anNvidia GeForce RTX 4090is a tad unreasonable. Instead, I’d prefer to see the RTX 5080 arrive with equivalent performance to the current-gen Lovelace GPU and a much lower price tag.
Will Nvidia actually set its RTX 5080 lower than theRTX 4080or even the RTX 4090’s MSRP? I’m hoping so, and it would help the green team challenge theAMDRadeon RX 8900 XT if it shows up for much cheaper. That’s entirely likely seeing as RDNA 3 cards dropped in 2022 for far less, even if theRX 7900 XTXwasn’t really a true RTX 4090 competitor.
I am holding out for an Nvidia that switches its focus to value over holding a GPU peeing contest. I’d strongly argue that no one other than enthusiasts who end up freezing cards in a block of ice to boost fps slightly is cravingmoreperformance. Don’t get me wrong, I won’t turn my nose up at the RTX 5090 if it means no compromises in 4K, but what players arguably need more right now is an affordable Nvidia flagship.
There are a couple of factors that do worry me slightly when it comes to the RTX 5080 serving as an RTX 4090 stand in. For starters, rumors point towards the 80-class coming with 16GB GDDR7 VRAM, so you’ll have less memory to protect you in the future from demanding system requirements. Recommending the second best GPU to enthusiasts when the flagship could arrive a few months later also feels like a potential dilemma, one that could affect the 5080’s success if the price isn’t right.
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As always, I’d advise taking any and all early RTX 5090 information with a big grain of salt, even if CES is right around the corner. Last generation, Nvidia even went as far as to un-announce the RTX 4080 12GB shortly after its reveal, so nothing is guaranteed until the card is safe inside your gaming PC. Even then, I’d lock your doors since, y’know, it’ll probably be worth more than your TV.
Today’s best graphics card dealsNvidia GeForce RTX 4090$2,499ViewSee all pricesLow StockNvidia RTX 4080$2,149.99ViewSee all pricesLow StockAMD RX 7900 XT$1,899.99$1,649ViewSee all pricesNvidia GeForce RTX 4060$295.16ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best graphics card dealsNvidia GeForce RTX 4090$2,499ViewSee all pricesLow StockNvidia RTX 4080$2,149.99ViewSee all pricesLow StockAMD RX 7900 XT$1,899.99$1,649ViewSee all pricesNvidia GeForce RTX 4060$295.16ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best graphics card dealsNvidia GeForce RTX 4090$2,499ViewSee all pricesLow StockNvidia RTX 4080$2,149.99ViewSee all pricesLow StockAMD RX 7900 XT$1,899.99$1,649ViewSee all pricesNvidia GeForce RTX 4060$295.16ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best graphics card deals
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090$2,499ViewSee all pricesLow StockNvidia RTX 4080$2,149.99ViewSee all pricesLow StockAMD RX 7900 XT$1,899.99$1,649ViewSee all pricesNvidia GeForce RTX 4060$295.16ViewSee all prices
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090$2,499ViewSee all prices
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090$2,499ViewSee all prices

Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090

$2,499View
$2,499
$2,499
See all prices
Low StockNvidia RTX 4080$2,149.99ViewSee all prices
Low Stock
Low Stock
Low Stock
Low Stock
Low Stock
Nvidia RTX 4080$2,149.99ViewSee all prices

Nvidia RTX 4080
Nvidia RTX 4080

$2,149.99View
$2,149.99
$2,149.99
See all prices
Low StockAMD RX 7900 XT$1,899.99$1,649ViewSee all prices
Low Stock
Low Stock
Low Stock
Low Stock
Low Stock
AMD RX 7900 XT$1,899.99$1,649ViewSee all prices

AMD RX 7900 XT
AMD RX 7900 XT

$1,899.99$1,649View
$1,899.99$1,649
$1,649
See all prices
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060$295.16ViewSee all prices
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060$295.16ViewSee all prices

Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060

$295.16View
$295.16
$295.16
See all prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
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GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs 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"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel 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"2Mufasa: 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"4The 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"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs 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"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel 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"2Mufasa: 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"4The 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"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS
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”
3
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”
4
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
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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”
1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now”
1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now”
1
Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now”
2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2
Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3
Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
4
Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5
Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”