Gamers Beware: The Truth Behind NVIDIA’s RTX 5070 and RTX 4090 Comparison

When NVIDIA unveiled its RTX 50 series in CES 2025, excitement rippled across the gaming and tech communities. Promising groundbreaking innovations like DLSS 4 and dramatic leaps in performance, the new series seemed poised to redefine gaming. Yet, one claim caught everyone’s attention—and raised a storm of skepticism. NVIDIA suggested that the mid-tier RTX 5070 could rival the previous generation’s flagship, the RTX 4090. While this assertion sounds revolutionary, does it hold up under scrutiny? This article delves into the specs, performance data, and marketing tactics to separate fact from fiction.

RTX 5070 vs. RTX 4090: The Key Differences

At first glance, comparing the mid-range RTX 5070 with the high-end RTX 4090 feels like juxtaposing a hatchback with a supercar. The RTX 4090 boasts a staggering 16,384 CUDA cores, a 384-bit memory interface, and 24 GB of GDDR6X memory, cementing its position as the pinnacle of the RTX 40 series. On the other hand, the RTX 5070 offers a more modest 6,144 CUDA cores, a 192-bit memory interface, and 12 GB of GDDR7 memory. These raw specifications alone highlight a significant performance gap.

What’s Fueling NVIDIA’s Claim?

The foundation of NVIDIA’s bold statement lies in its revolutionary Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS 4) technology. Central to this claim is DLSS 4’s multiframe generation feature, which uses AI to render up to three synthetic frames for every real frame produced. This results in a perceived frame rate boost, allowing the RTX 5070 to seemingly achieve RTX 4090-like performance in optimized games.

However, there’s a catch: this technology doesn’t enhance raw computational power. Instead, it’s a clever application of AI to simulate smooth gameplay. While impressive, this does not equate to the brute-force power required for demanding, non-DLSS workloads.

To understand the disparity, consider NVIDIA’s presentation strategy. The company often showcases games highly optimized for DLSS 4 and ray tracing, such as Cyberpunk 2077 and Alan Wake 2. In these controlled environments, the RTX 5070 appears competitive with the RTX 4090.

But outside these ideal conditions? The reality tells a different story. Benchmarks in non-DLSS titles like Far Cry 6 show the RTX 5070 lagging significantly behind, offering performance gains of just 25–40% over its predecessor, the RTX 4070. This is far from the parity with the RTX 4090 that NVIDIA suggests.

A Numbers Game: Breaking Down the Specs

Here’s how the two GPUs stack up:

• CUDA Cores: The RTX 5070’s 6,144 cores are dwarfed by the RTX 4090’s 16,384 cores. Even with architectural advancements in the RTX 50 series’ Blackwell design, efficiency alone cannot bridge such a massive gap.
• Memory Bandwidth: The RTX 5070 features faster GDDR7 memory, but its narrower 192-bit bus limits overall bandwidth compared to the RTX 4090’s 384-bit interface.
• Power Efficiency: With a TDP of 250W, the RTX 5070 is far more power-efficient than the RTX 4090’s 450W, but this efficiency comes at the cost of raw computational capability.

DLSS 4: Game-Changer or Clever Crutch?

DLSS 4 is undoubtedly a marvel of modern AI. By generating synthetic frames, it allows lower-tier GPUs to deliver high-resolution, fluid gameplay. However, this comes with trade-offs. The synthetic frames don’t reduce input latency, a critical factor for competitive gaming. For players prioritizing real-time responsiveness, DLSS’s perceived performance may fall short.

The gaming community hasn’t held back in critiquing NVIDIA’s claims. On Reddit, deep dives into the RTX 5070’s benchmarks expose the selective nature of NVIDIA’s performance metrics. Tech influencers like Gamers Nexus and Linus Tech Tips have echoed these sentiments, pointing out that DLSS-enhanced performance doesn’t equate to raw GPU power. Meanwhile, Twitter is abuzz with memes and skepticism, with users humorously awarding NVIDIA’s marketing team for “creative fiction.”

Real-World Benchmarks: The Numbers Don’t Lie

Independent testing paints a clearer picture of the RTX 5070’s capabilities:

• In Cyberpunk 2077 with DLSS 4 and ray tracing enabled, the RTX 5070 achieves frame rates comparable to the RTX 4090.
• In non-DLSS scenarios, such as Far Cry 6, the RTX 5070 falls 30% short of the RTX 4090 and aligns more closely with the RTX 4070 Super.
• Synthetic benchmarks like 3DMark underscore the RTX 5070’s efficiency but reinforce its inability to match the raw horsepower of the RTX 4090.

NVIDIA’s claims highlight the growing divide between perceived performance (via AI enhancements) and actual hardware power. For gamers who play titles unsupported by DLSS or who demand raw rendering capability, the RTX 5070’s limitations may be a dealbreaker.

India Launch Timeline & Pricing

The RTX 5070 is undeniably a capable GPU, offering excellent value within its tier. But claims that it rivals the RTX 4090 are more marketing bravado than engineering reality. While DLSS 4 pushes boundaries, it blurs the line between hardware advancements and software optimizations.

Final Verdict: Hype or Hero?

The RTX 5070 is undeniably a capable GPU, offering excellent value within its tier. But claims that it rivals the RTX 4090 are more marketing bravado than engineering reality. While DLSS 4 pushes boundaries, it blurs the line between hardware advancements and software optimizations.

For savvy consumers, the takeaway is clear: don’t be swayed by bold claims alone. Instead, rely on real-world benchmarks and your gaming needs to make an informed decision. As the RTX 50 series continues to roll out, only time and further testing will reveal the full story behind NVIDIA’s next-generation GPUs.