In a surprising twist, the older NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 has taken the top slot in PassMark's G3D benchmark. The new and supposedly more powerful RTX 5090 has been outperformed by the 4090. This benchmark result raises questions about RTX 50 series availability.
The RTX 4090 Claims the PassMark Crown - But Wait
According to the newest PassMark G3D scores, the RTX 4090 is marginally better than the RTX 5090. The scores are very close: 38,430 points for the 4090 versus 38,407 for the 5090. It is important to understand what this benchmark actually measures before concluding the RTX 4090 is universally superior.
The G3D Mark is a synthetic benchmark. It compares raw graphical horsepower across GPUs using standardized tests. These tests focus on 3D rendering, texture, geometry, and API performance including DirectX and OpenGL. However, G3D does not directly translate into real-world gaming performance. Modern gaming often incorporates ray tracing, which is not measured in the G3D Mark. The RTX 5090 is expected to have a clear advantage in ray tracing performance.
Another factor is sample size. The RTX 4090 has been available much longer and has over 14,000 samples in the PassMark database. The RTX 5090, at the time of this report, has around 60 samples. The average RTX 5090 score will likely improve and become more favorable as more data is collected.
Inventory Games? Rumors of Limited RTX 5090 Supply
Beyond the benchmark surprise, there are rumors of NVIDIA limiting the supply of RTX 50 series GPUs. Some suggest NVIDIA is employing "scarcity marketing." This involves holding back RTX 5090 stock to create high demand perception and potentially increase prices.
If these rumors are accurate, the initial limited card availability was not due to manufacturing issues. It could be a deliberate supply reduction tactic. Alternatively, the limited RTX 5090 stocks and pricing observed may simply reflect initial limited production.
Speculation also suggests NVIDIA may release mid-range RTX 50 series cards like RTX 5060 and RTX 5070 in larger quantities. This could balance the market and ensure broader consumer access.
What Does this All Indicate
The PassMark results are an intriguing anomaly. They do not fully represent the RTX 5090's complete performance. Real-world gaming, especially with ray tracing, should still see the RTX 5090 perform as the superior card. The inventory rumors raise questions about NVIDIA's market strategy and its impact on consumers seeking the latest GPUs.
We will continue to monitor benchmark trends and RTX 50 series availability in the coming weeks. Further developments are expected.
