Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 and other graphics cards might not happen until 2025, but that’s arguably a good thing
Jul. 22, 2024Do we really need an RTX 5090 right now anyway?
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Do we need new RTX 5000 graphics cards this year?
I love checking out shiny new graphics cards as much as the next PC player, and it’s safe to assume Nvidia will be out to impress with 50-series GPUs. Does that mean I’d be disappointed if we don’t see any new announcements from the green team this year? Well no, as I don’t think raising the performance bar right now is going to benefit the majority of gamers.
Okay, hear me out before reaching for your digital pitchforks, as this opinion is more based on my concerns as someone who plays games rather than building fancy systems. I am a firm believer that, while technical enhancements can help developers create unforgettable adventures, establishing an approachable bar for all systems to reach is important. Not everyone is looking to step up to new cards like theGeForce RTX 4070 Superyet, and setting the bar ever higher risks alienating PC players when it comes to experiencing the same pretty visuals in games as premium rig owners. Plenty of you out there are bound to be still rocking an RTX 30 or 20-series GPU, and the last thing we need is those cards not meeting the mark.
Typically speaking, every new wave of graphics cards influences system requirements to demand more from players. This makes sense given that more people will theoretically be rocking newer GPUs with greater capabilities – an assumption that can lead to cards that are only a few years old not even meeting minimum specs for a game. These days, GTX 10-series GPUs are normally the bare minimum you’ll need to get a new game running, with the upcoming horror romp The Casting of Frank Stone serving as a great example.
When RTX 5000 cards do arrive, I have reason to believe we’ll start seeing RTX 20-series GPU listed as a minimum. Sure, those of you lucky enough to afford a $1,000 upgrade won’t have to worry about that, but in a way, both lower-end players and performance enthusiasts don’t havemuchto gain right now. Solid 4K frame rates are already completely possible if you’ve got the funds for a UHD card, and with a lack of 8K gaming monitors currently on the market, the GeForce RTX 5090 might not feel that cutting edge compared to the already monstrous RTX 4090.
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I’ve been messing around with PCs, video game consoles, and tech since before I could speak. Don’t get me wrong, I kickstarted my relationship with technology by jamming a Hot Wheels double-decker bus into my parent’s VCR, but we all have to start somewhere. I even somehow managed to become a walking, talking buyer’s guide at my teenage supermarket job, which helped me accept my career fate. So, rather than try to realise my musician dreams, or see out my University degree, I started running my own retro pop culture site and writing about video games and tech for the likes of TechRadar, The Daily Star, and the BBC before eventually ending up with a job covering graphics card shenanigans at PCGamesN. Now, I’m your friendly neighbourhood Hardware Editor at GamesRadar, and it’s my job to make sure you can kick butt in all your favourite games using the best gaming hardware, whether you’re a sucker for handhelds like the Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch or a hardcore gaming PC enthusiast.
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