RTX 5090 vs 5080 vs 5070 Ti: Which NVIDIA GPU Should You Buy?

NVIDIA's RTX 50-series launch has created a fascinating dilemma for PC gamers and content creators. The RTX 5090 sits at the top with a 9.5/10 rating and $1599 price tag, promising unmatched performance. The RTX 5080 occupies the murky middle ground at $1199 MSRP (though street prices hit $1500). And the RTX 5070 Ti arrives as the supposed value champion at $749 MSRP, except you'll actually pay $1269 if you can find one in stock.

Here's what makes this comparison critical: these aren't just incremental updates. The Blackwell architecture delivers genuine generational improvements, with the 5090 showing 60-80% gains over its predecessor. But performance alone doesn't tell the story. Price increases, power requirements, and real-world availability complicate every buying decision.

We've analyzed expert reviews from Tom's Hardware, PC Gamer, Digital Trends, and others to determine which card deserves your money. The RTX 5090 takes the crown for absolute performance, but whether it's the right choice depends entirely on your workload and budget. Let's break down exactly where each card wins and loses.