RTX 5080 vs RTX 4090 Ultimate Comparison (1080p, 1440p, 2160p)

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The image showcases two distinct GPU models—a sleek, dark Zotac Gaming card in the foreground and a colorful ASUS ROG Strix card in the background—set against a stylized black and green diagonal-lined backdrop.

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 and RTX 4090 are both high-end graphics cards designed for gaming enthusiasts. Here’s a detailed comparison of their gaming performance.

An angled, top-down studio shot of a ZOTAC GAMING GeForce RTX 5080 SOLID graphics card resting on a dark, textured grey surface. The card features a sleek, industrial design with a metallic grey shroud decorated with diagonal linear patterns. It is equipped with a triple-fan cooling system, featuring three large black fans with gold ZOTAC logos at the centers. The side of the card shows the PCIe connector, an HDMI port, and a glimpse of the thick internal heatsink fins.
An overhead, angled shot of an ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 4090 Gaming OC graphics card resting on a grey textured surface. The card features a massive, dark metallic industrial design with a triple-fan cooling system. The shroud is accented with a bold red and blue gradient geometric pattern around the fans. The center fan hub displays the "ROG" text, while the outer fans feature the Republic of Gamers "Eye" logo. A transparent acrylic strip with vertical ridges is visible at the end of the card, designed for RGB lighting.

ZOTAC GAMING RTX 5080 SOLID / ASUS ROG STRIX RTX 4090 GAMING OC

RTX 5080
RTX 4090
Ray Tracing Cores : 4th Gen
Ray Tracing Cores : 3rd Gen
Tensor Cores : 5th Gen
Tensor Cores : 4th Gen
Nvidia Decoder : 6th Gen
Nvidia Decoder : 5th Gen
Nvidia Encoder : 9th Gen
Nvidia Encoder : 8th Gen
VDPAU : Feature Set M
VDPAU : Feature Set L
PureVideo HD : VP13
PureVideo HD : VP12

In our RTX 5080 vs RTX 4090 comparison, we conducted extensive gaming tests across multiple resolutions to evaluate real-world performance. We tested 10 popular games at 1080p, 10 games at 1440p, and 10 games at 4K (2160p) to measure raw performance differences. Additionally, we analyzed 5 games with Ray Tracing + DLSS 4 at both 1440p and 4K resolutions, showcasing how AI-driven upscaling impacts frame rates. To push the limits, we also tested Ray Tracing + DLSS 4 Multi-Frame Generation, which significantly improves smoothness. With all these benchmarks, we calculated the average performance across each category, offering a comprehensive breakdown of how the RTX 5080 and RTX 4090 compare in modern gaming scenarios.

10 Games Tested 1080p Resolution

A bar chart titled "RTX 5080 vs RTX 4090" comparing the gaming performance of two NVIDIA graphics cards across 10 different games at 1080p resolution. The test system uses an AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor. The chart displays three metrics for each card per game: Average FPS (yellow), 1% Low FPS (orange), and 0.1% Low FPS (dark orange).
10 Games Average at 1080p Resolution
RTX 5080
RTX 4090
Average FPS : 144.4
Average FPS : 151.9‎ ‎ ‎ ‎﹙ +5.1% ﹚
1% Low FPS : 100.1 ‎ ‎﹙ +5% ﹚
1% Low FPS : 95.3
0.1% Low FPS : 78.6 ‎ ‎﹙ +44.7% ﹚
0.1% Low FPS : 54.3

Conclusion : RTX 5080 vs RTX 4090 at 1080p

In our 10-game average test at 1080p, the RTX 4090 leads in raw performance, delivering an average of 151.9 FPS, which is 5.1% higher than the RTX 5080’s 144.4 FPS. However, the RTX 5080 shows better frame stability, particularly in 0.1% low FPS, where it records 78.6 FPS (+44.7%) vs. the RTX 4090’s 54.3 FPS.

The 1% low FPS tells a different story, with the RTX 5080 at 100.1 FPS (+5%), slightly ahead of the RTX 4090 at 95.3 FPS. This suggests the RTX 5080 handles frame pacing more smoothly, likely due to GDDR7 memory improvements or driver optimizations.

Final Thoughts

  • RTX 4090 is still the faster card overall in terms of raw FPS.
  • RTX 5080 provides a smoother experience, especially in 0.1% lows, which helps reduce stutters.
  • If you’re gaming at high refresh rates, the RTX 5080 may feel more consistent, despite the RTX 4090’s higher top-end performance.

10 Games Tested 1440p Resolution

A bar chart titled "RTX 5080 vs RTX 4090" comparing the gaming performance of two NVIDIA graphics cards across 10 different games at 1440p resolution, using an AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPU. The chart displays three metrics for each card per game: Average FPS (top of the bar), 1% Low FPS (middle section), and 0.1% Low FPS (bottom section).
10 Games Average at 1440p Resolution
RTX 5080
RTX 4090
Average FPS : 114.6
Average FPS : 124.5‎ ‎ ‎﹙ +8.6% ﹚
1% Low FPS : 84.9 ‎ ‎﹙ +1.9% ﹚
1% Low FPS : 83.3
0.1% Low FPS : 65.2 ‎ ﹙ +33% ﹚
0.1% Low FPS : 49

Conclusion : RTX 5080 vs RTX 4090 at 1440p

In our 10-game average benchmark at 1440p, the RTX 4090 maintains its lead in raw FPS, delivering 124.5 FPS, which is 8.6% higher than the RTX 5080’s 114.6 FPS. However, the RTX 5080 once again demonstrates better frame stability, particularly in 0.1% low FPS, where it achieves 65.2 FPS (+33%) compared to the RTX 4090’s 49 FPS.

The 1% low FPS performance shows a minor edge for the RTX 5080, reaching 84.9 FPS (+1.9%), slightly outperforming the RTX 4090’s 83.3 FPS. This suggests that while the RTX 4090 delivers superior peak performance, the RTX 5080 offers smoother frame pacing, reducing micro-stutters and improving gameplay fluidity.

Final Thoughts

  • RTX 4090 is the better choice for raw FPS, making it ideal for high refresh rate gaming.
  • RTX 5080 offers more stable frame times, especially in 0.1% lows, leading to smoother gameplay.
  • If your priority is consistent frame delivery, the RTX 5080 is the better option despite having slightly lower average FPS.

10 Games Tested 2160p Resolution

A bar chart titled "RTX 5080 vs RTX 4090" comparing the gaming performance of two NVIDIA graphics cards across 10 different games at 4K (2160p) resolution. The benchmarks were performed using an AMD Ryzen 7 9800x3D processor. The chart displays three metrics for each game: Average FPS (top number), 1% Low FPS (middle number), and 0.1% Low FPS (bottom number).
10 Games Average at 2160p Resolution
RTX 5080
RTX 4090
Average FPS : 68.6
Average FPS : 77.7‎ ‎ ﹙ +13.2% ﹚
1% Low FPS : 53.6 ‎ ‎﹙ +2.0% ﹚
1% Low FPS : 52.5
0.1% Low FPS : 43.6 ‎ ﹙ +25.2% ﹚
0.1% Low FPS : 34.8

Conclusion : RTX 5080 vs RTX 4090 at 2160p

At 4K resolution (2160p), the RTX 4090 continues to dominate in raw performance, achieving an average of 77.7 FPS, which is 13.2% higher than the RTX 5080’s 68.6 FPS. This reinforces the RTX 4090’s strength in high-resolution gaming, where its extra CUDA cores and higher memory bandwidth make a noticeable difference.

However, the RTX 5080 once again excels in frame stability, particularly in 0.1% low FPS, where it reaches 43.6 FPS (+25.2%), significantly outperforming the RTX 4090’s 34.8 FPS. This suggests that while the RTX 4090 delivers higher peak FPS, the RTX 5080 provides a smoother gameplay experience with fewer stutters.

The 1% low FPS values are nearly identical, with the RTX 5080 at 53.6 FPS (+2.0%) and the RTX 4090 at 52.5 FPS, further supporting the argument that the RTX 5080 handles frame pacing better in demanding 4K gaming scenarios.

Final Thoughts

  • RTX 4090 remains the better choice for maximum FPS at 4K.
  • RTX 5080 provides better frame stability, especially in 0.1% lows, reducing stutter.
  • For cinematic and immersive gaming, the RTX 4090’s raw power is unmatched, but for a smoother experience, the RTX 5080 is a strong alternative.

5 Games Tested With Ray Tracing+DLSS4 1440p & 4K Resolution

A bar chart titled "RTX 5080 vs RTX 4090" compares the gaming performance of the two GPUs across five games at 1440p and 4K resolutions with Ray Tracing and DLSS4 enabled. The benchmarks, conducted by "GAMING BENCH - RGB" using an AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPU, measure Average FPS, 1% Low FPS, and 0.1% Low FPS. The games tested include Spider-Man, Alan Wake 2, Silent Hill 2, Cyberpunk 2077, and Indiana Jones. Across all titles and resolutions, the RTX 4090 consistently outperforms the RTX 5080 in average frame rates. For example, in Cyberpunk 2077 at 1440p, the RTX 4090 reaches 129 AVG FPS compared to the RTX 5080's 109 AVG FPS. The chart uses a yellow-to-orange gradient for the bars, with higher bars indicating better performance.
5 Games Average at 1440p with Ray Tracing + DLSS4
RTX 5080
RTX 4090
Average FPS : 89
Average FPS : 101.6 ‎ ﹙ +14.1% ﹚
1% Low FPS : 64.4
1% Low FPS : 69.6‎ ‎ ﹙ +8% ﹚
0.1% Low FPS : 52.2 ‎ ﹙ +23.1% ﹚
0.1% Low FPS : 42.4
5 Games Average at 2160p Ray Tracing + DLSS4
RTX 5080
RTX 4090
Average FPS : 56.8
Average FPS : 64.6 ‎ ﹙ +13.7% ﹚
1% Low FPS : 42.2
1% Low FPS : 47 ‎ ‎﹙ +11.3% ﹚
0.1% Low FPS : 35.4 ‎ ﹙ +3.5% ﹚
0.1% Low FPS : 34.2

Conclusion: RTX 5080 vs RTX 4090 with Ray Tracing + DLSS 4

1440p Ray Tracing + DLSS 4

At 1440p with Ray Tracing and DLSS 4, the RTX 4090 outperforms the RTX 5080 in raw FPS, delivering an average of 101.6 FPS, which is 14.1% higher than the RTX 5080’s 89 FPS. However, once again, the RTX 5080 provides better frame stability, with 0.1% low FPS reaching 52.2 FPS (+23.1%), while the RTX 4090 drops to 42.4 FPS.

The 1% low FPS values show a smaller difference, with the RTX 5080 at 64.4 FPS, just 8% lower than the RTX 4090’s 69.6 FPS. This indicates that while the RTX 4090 has superior top-end performance, the RTX 5080 offers smoother frame pacing with fewer deep frame-time dips.

2160p (4K) Ray Tracing + DLSS 4

At 4K with Ray Tracing and DLSS 4, the RTX 4090 maintains its lead in raw FPS, hitting 64.6 FPS (+13.7%), compared to the RTX 5080’s 56.8 FPS. However, just like in lower resolutions, the RTX 5080 offers better stability in frame times, with 0.1% lows at 35.4 FPS (+3.5%), while the RTX 4090 drops to 34.2 FPS.

The 1% low FPS results tell a similar story—RTX 5080 at 42.2 FPS and RTX 4090 at 47 FPS (+11.3%), meaning the RTX 4090 maintains better minimum frame rates but suffers more from deeper dips.

Final Thoughts

  • RTX 4090 is the better performer in raw FPS at both 1440p and 2160p with Ray Tracing + DLSS 4.
  • RTX 5080 has better frame stability, particularly in 0.1% lows, making gameplay smoother with fewer stutters.
  • At 1440p, the RTX 5080 delivers solid performance with improved frame pacing, making it an excellent option for those who prioritize stability over max FPS.
  • At 4K with heavy ray tracing, both GPUs struggle to maintain high FPS, but DLSS 4 helps them stay in playable ranges.

Ray Tracing + DLSS4 Multi Frame Generation

A bar chart titled "RTX 5080 vs RTX 4090" compares gaming performance at 4K with Ray Tracing and DLSS4 Frame Generation. The data is tested using an AMD Ryzen 7 9800x3D processor across three games: Alan Wake 2, Cyberpunk 2077, and Indiana Jones. Each bar shows three metrics: Average FPS (top number), 1% Low FPS (middle), and 0.1% Low FPS (bottom).

Conclusion : RTX 5080 vs RTX 4090 in Ray Tracing & DLSS4

The battle between the RTX 5080 and RTX 4090 in Ray Tracing + DLSS4 Multi Frame Generation showcases interesting results. While the RTX 5080 demonstrates improved frame generation scaling, the RTX 4090 still holds a lead in raw performance in most scenarios.

  • Alan Wake 2: The RTX 5080 at x4 FG surpasses the RTX 4090 at x2 FG, proving that NVIDIA’s next-gen frame generation technology enhances performance significantly.
  • Cyberpunk 2077 (RT Overdrive): The RTX 5080 with x4 FG achieves higher FPS than the RTX 4090, but lower-tier DLSS settings still favor the 4090.
  • Indiana Jones (Full RT + DLSS + FG): The RTX 4090 dominates, while the RTX 5080 struggles with ultra-demanding RT workloads, showing that it may not yet replace the 4090 in extreme cases.

Final Thoughts

The RTX 5080 brings impressive advancements in AI-driven upscaling and frame generation, making it a strong contender for high-performance gaming. However, the RTX 4090 remains a powerhouse in pure GPU performance, especially in extreme ray-tracing scenarios.

For gamers prioritizing DLSS4 enhancements and next-gen efficiency, the RTX 5080 is a solid choice. But if uncompromised raw power and stability are your goals, the RTX 4090 still reigns supreme. Your decision ultimately depends on whether you value cutting-edge AI-driven performance or brute-force rendering power.

Watch Our Practical Benchmarks on Youtube

Afaq is the author and driving force behind GAMING BENCH, a technology and gaming focused platform dedicated to delivering accurate, insightful, and up to date coverage of the gaming world. With a strong interest in PC hardware, gaming performance, and industry trends, Afaq focuses on creating clear, well researched content that helps readers understand the latest gaming news, benchmarks, and technology developments. Through GAMING BENCH, the goal is to provide reliable information, honest analysis, and practical insights for gamers, tech enthusiasts, and professionals who want to stay informed in a fast moving digital landscape.

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