The test configuration:
As we said in the introduction, we’ve updated all our graphics using the latest drivers from NVIDIA, AMD and, of course, INTEL. We also took the opportunity to slightly modify our test configuration and add some new games to our protocol. So here we go again, with a new series of tests and graphics on this slightly modified configuration:
- Motherboard: ROG Maximus Z790 APEX Encore
- Processor : Intel Alder Lake i9-14900K delid
- Cooling system: EK-Nucleus AIO CR360 Direct Die D-RGB – 1700
- Memory: 48 GB Corsair Dominator Titanium 8000 MT/s CL38
- Graphics card: NVIDIA RTX 5090 FE, ASUS RTX 4090 TUF OC, NVIDIA RTX 4080 Super FE, NVIDIA RTX 4080 FE, AMD RX 7900 XTX and AMD RX 7900 XT
- SSD: Western Digital Black SN750 2 TB EKWB radiator
- Power supply: Corsair AX1600i
- Operating system: Windows 11 64-bit 24H2 (26100.2894)
For this test, we used a fairly high-end configuration based on an i9-14900K delid processor and DDR5 memory. Depending on the definition tested, we used either an MSI Oculux NXG253R or a ROG Strix XG27UCS on loan from ASUS France.
Our test protocol:
All the cards are tested at stock frequencies and without any optimisation. For the various benchmarks, whether for synthetics or games, we will opt for 1080p, 1440p and 2160p resolutions depending on the card’s performance.
Here, with this NVIDIA RTX 5090 Founders Edition model, there’s no doubt about the definition: it’s going to be 2160p! We’ll be using DLSS Super Resolution in Performance mode, with image generation and ray tracing where available.
As you can see, we’re now running Windows 11 and we’ve activated the ReSize BAR in the BIOS, which can be seen in GPU-Z. Now that you know everything about our test configuration, it’s time to get started!
Notes :
Before we begin our tests, we wanted to highlight two comments that we read in NVIDIA’s reviewer guide. NVIDIA recommends using AMD’s Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor for the best experience. In fact, after our tests, this processor proved to be the best choice for gaming. As our protocol is built around the i9 14900K, it’s impossible to retest all our cards with this processor. But we will be bringing you the performance of the RTX 5090 with a 9800X3D CPU in the coming weeks.
Finally, NVIDIA recommends using a screen with a high refresh rate and high resolution, i.e. 4K at 240 Hz. The idea is to ensure that you can enjoy optimum game fluidity and clarity of movement.