The Nvidia RTX 5080 stands at the forefront of gaming technology, skillfully crafted to handle the most demanding video games at 4K resolutions. This latest graphics processing unit (GPU) features enhanced rendering and AI capabilities compared to its predecessor, the RTX 4080 Super. With an increase in CUDA and Tensor cores and the introduction of multi-frame generation, the RTX 5080 boasts impressive frame rate improvements—ranging from 2 to 4 times higher than native resolutions—setting a new standard for high-performance gaming, particularly in graphically intensive titles and those utilizing path tracing at 4K.
In our extensive testing of the RTX 5080 across a multitude of gaming titles, both recent and classic, we aim to deliver clear insights into its performance capabilities within the 80-class GPU segment.
Performance Evaluation of the RTX 5080 in Current Gaming Titles
The architecture of the RTX 5080 has been specifically engineered for seamless 4K gaming. Previous generations showcased a capacity to maintain playable frame rates across cutting-edge titles at UHD, yet the RTX 5080 pushes this further, promising a high refresh rate experience while utilizing a selection of AI-enhanced features.
Benchmark Performance
To establish a performance baseline, we first assessed the RTX 5080 at 1080p resolution. At this level, the graphics card effortlessly achieved soaring frame rates, irrespective of the game’s intensity. Boasting an impressive 10,240 CUDA cores, it exceeded 120 FPS in virtually all tested titles. While its performance is more than adequate for 1080p gameplay—making it an excessive choice for such usage—it can be a strong contender for competitive gamers who prioritize high frame rates.
Shifting our focus to 4K, the primary domain of the RTX 5080, the GPU showcased consistent high frame rates without any notable issues. Nevertheless, it occasionally struggled to reach the coveted 60 FPS mark in several demanding titles. These results, obtained without the aid of upscaling technologies, reflect the card’s raw rendering capabilities. It indicates that while the GPU is formidable, achieving a stable 60 FPS at true 4K is still a challenge, suggesting that additional advancements may be required in future generations to fully conquer UHD gaming.
Exploring Ray Tracing and Path Tracing Capabilities
Ray tracing remains one of the standout features of Nvidia’s graphics technology. In our tests with various games set to the highest ray tracing settings, we found a mixed bag of results. Although the RTX 5080 efficiently handles ray tracing at lower resolutions, it encounters obstacles when rendering at native 4K with maximum visual settings.
Titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Spider-Man 2 yielded frame rates below 40 FPS, showcasing that the most graphically intensive recent releases still pose challenges for this GPU. In contrast, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, a relatively older title that employs ray tracing primarily for shadows, managed an impressive 85 FPS at 4K.
Regarding path tracing, the RTX 5080 continues the trends observed in the 40 series, falling short at native resolutions. However, enabling frame generation while disabling upscaling provides a glimpse into what a fully ray-traced experience could entail.
Upscaling and Frame Generation Techniques
With the latest generation of graphics cards, upscaling functionalities have significantly evolved, now serving as a fundamental feature rather than a workaround for frame rate issues associated with ray tracing. The introduction of DLSS 4 with the RTX 5080 utilizes transformer-based upscaling technology, improving artifact reduction and consistency, albeit with increased demand on processing capabilities.
The following list provides frame rates achieved using DLSS, which you can compare to native 4K performance to assess efficiency gains, typically ranging from 20% to 30% across various titles.
Frame generation has also seen remarkable enhancements with the RTX 5080, allowing the card to produce up to three synthetic frames for every two rendered frames, greatly surpassing the performance of previous generations. It’s worth noting that while DLSS 4 support remains limited, our benchmark data includes games compatible with both DLSS 3 and the new technology.
Multi-frame generation is a key feature of the 50 series GPUs, offering settings of 2x, 3x, and 4x frame generation. Below, you will find a summary of frame rates achieved with these settings in Cyberpunk 2077. Keep in mind that the base rates for multiplication may appear lower than those of native 4K, due to the additional workload from managing multiple AI models. Nevertheless, the results are still quite impressive.
In conclusion, the RTX 5080 ranks among the fastest GPUs for 4K gaming, consistently delivering strong frame rates at maximum settings during our tests, save for the path tracing scenarios that remain an unaddressed challenge.