A few days ago, our team reported that the RTX 5060 graphics cards for laptops were set to launch in April, but they could be priced higher. Now, another interesting detail has come to light regarding this new generation of graphics cards, specifically the mobile RTX 5090, which was impressive with its impressive performance at CES 2025.
The RTX 5090 mobile GPU, manufactured using TSMC's cutting-edge 4nm technology, has been tested in high-end laptops, such as the 2025 Razer Blade 16 and Asus Strix Scar 18. The benchmark results conducted by NotebookCheck do not seem promising.
Compared to its predecessor, the RTX 4090, the RTX 5090 only shows a 15% to 30% improvement in performance without DLSS. However, when DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) is turned on, this difference becomes even more pronounced, which helps with image quality and upscaling.
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Reports suggest that despite this GPU having been in development for three years, its performance has not met expectations. Nvidia seems to have relied heavily on DLSS and new Transformer-based features to differentiate this new RTX 50 series from the RTX 40 series. However, when compared to its desktop version, the mobile RTX 5090 lags far behind, mainly due to its lower TGP (Total Graphics Power).
Laptops are designed for lower power consumption and thermal management compared to desktops. Desktops can use powerful power supplies and large cooling systems, but laptops have to compromise on battery life and portability. This has led manufacturers to adjust GPU performance through lower clock speeds and dynamic power scaling to prevent overheating and maintain a slim design.
Interestingly, users have noted that while the mobile RTX 5090 is 50% slower than the desktop version, it consumes 70% less power. This makes for an attractive performance-per-watt ratio, but its price is still quite high, which could be a barrier to its success.