I'm building a new PC and trying to decide between the 5080 and 5090 graphics cards. Price isn't an issue for me since I'm aiming for a future-proof setup that can handle new games well for the next 5 years, and I prefer a quieter system. My main concern is about the 5090's power draw; I've heard it could lead to melted cables and damaged ports over time. Given that I'll be gaming at 1440p and have no interest in 4K, should I be worried about these claims? Alternatively, would it make more sense to get the 5080 and upgrade in the future? I'd love to hear your thoughts! Thanks!
5 Answers
It's true that the 5090's power draw issue isn’t super common. Whether you're at 1080p or 4K, it can pull a lot of power, so 1440p doesn't change that risk much. Just invest in a decent PSU and you're likely to be fine. The power issues are more about poor design rather than anything inherent in the card itself.
Honestly, if you're only gaming at 1440p, the 5090 seems like overkill. I mean, a 5070 Ti can already handle that resolution at high settings with great frame rates. You might end up spending a lot just for minimal performance gain. Plus, concerns about cable melting are usually exaggerated; it’s quite rare, especially if you’re using a good PSU. Just make sure it’s a high-quality 1000W+ model and that cables are properly connected.
Just a heads-up, there isn't a 5080 Ti; it's simply the 5080. I opted for the 5080 to avoid the high cost of the 5090 and I’ve had no issues, it performs well, even compared to my old 3090. The rumored problems with the 5090 burning connectors made me cautious; for me, the 5080 is more than enough.
I agree! I went with the 5080 as well, and I'm impressed with its performance.
It all depends on your monitor's refresh rate. If you're running a 1440p ultra-wide with a high refresh rate, like 165Hz, you might want the 5090 to get the most out of your setup. However, if you have a standard 1440p monitor, the 5080 should be just fine unless you're aiming for ultra-high frame rates.
Mainly, the risk with the 5090 comes from the stock design having issues with load balancing, which can cause overheating. Partner designs tend to address these concerns better. If you're not doing specific tasks like path tracing, the 5090 might not be necessary. For typical gaming, the 5080 performs quite well, especially when overclocked; it can be a solid choice.
That’s a good point! I also find the 5080 pretty powerful for gaming with decent overclocking.
Most melting issues came from aftermarket cables, especially the angled ones, so that's worth keeping in mind.