Nvidia has unveiled its latest flagship mobile GPU, the RTX 5090, which promises to deliver improved efficiency and performance for laptop gamers. In a hands-on review, The Verge found that the new GPU offers a balance of power and efficiency, making it a promising option for those looking for a high-performance gaming experience on the go.

The RTX 5090 boasts 24GB of GDDR7 VRAM, more powerful Tensor cores, and an extra hardware video encoder, all while maintaining the same 175W TDP as its predecessor, the RTX 4090. This translates to small gains in synthetic benchmarks, with a 13% higher Geekbench GPU score and a 14% higher score in 3DMark's standard Time Spy test at 2560 x 1440 resolution.

In real-world gaming tests, the RTX 5090 showed modest performance gains over the RTX 4090. In Cyberpunk 2077, the new GPU was 24% faster at 2.5K resolution and Ultra settings without DLSS, frame generation, or ray tracing enabled. However, when these features were enabled, the gap narrowed to just 5%. The RTX 5090 also performed well in Black Myth: Wukong, although the difference was less pronounced.

One area where the RTX 5090 shines is in its power efficiency. The new GPU had a lower average wattage than the RTX 4090 in benchmarks, by 20 to 29%. This should result in improved battery life when gaming on the go. Additionally, the lower wattage means lower temperatures, making it possible to play games with the laptop on your lap without overheating.

The RTX 5090's performance is particularly impressive in games that support DLSS 4 and Multi Frame Generation. In Assassin's Creed Shadows, the GPU delivered smooth performance and high frame rates, making it a great example of a game that benefits from the new technology. However, it's worth noting that not all games will see the same level of improvement, and competitive shooters may not be the best fit for frame generation.

The RTX 5090 is Nvidia's most powerful and expensive laptop GPU, with laptops featuring the GPU expected to cost $4,000 or more. While it shows promise for gaming on the go, it's worth considering that laptops with the RTX 4090 may still be a viable option, especially if discounts are available.

As the RTX 5090 and other 50-series mobile GPUs become available in new gaming laptop models, it will be interesting to see how they perform in real-world usage. The RTX 5080, in particular, may be a sweet spot for laptop gamers, offering a balance of performance and price. For now, the RTX 5090 is a promising option for those looking for a high-performance gaming experience on the go.