We’ll say it upfront: We thought this was a done deal. NVIDIA revealed the RTX 5080 GPU at CES 2025 alongside major GeForce NOW announcements, and with the recent membership upgrades, we figured an RTX 5080 upgrade for the cloud was imminent.
But nope—no cloud-based RTX 5080 just yet. Instead, while PC gamers prep their rigs for the latest powerhouse card, GeForce NOW is sticking with RTX 4080 for now.
Why We Thought the 5080 Was Coming
The signs were all there. The Ultimate membership tier runs RTX 4080-powered streams with 4K 120fps, NVIDIA Reflex, and DLSS 3. With NVIDIA pushing GeForce NOW onto devices like the Steam Deck, Apple Vision Pro, and Meta Quest 3, an upgrade to the cloud’s hardware felt inevitable.
Plus, NVIDIA has a pretty clear timeline for these things. Historically, GeForce NOW gets GPU upgrades roughly 3-6 months after the cards hit the market. When the RTX 3080 launched, it only took a few months before the cloud service got an upgrade. So when the RTX 5080 debuted at CES, the clock started ticking.
Why the Wait Makes Sense
NVIDIA’s CES focus wasn’t on GPU upgrades—it was on expanding GeForce NOW to more devices and regions. A native Steam Deck app, VR and AR support, and a shiny new data center in India all point to NVIDIA making cloud gaming more accessible before worrying about raw performance boosts.
That said, a 3-6 month gap isn’t unusual for cloud upgrades. NVIDIA probably wants to give gamers time to see the RTX 5080’s PC performance before rolling it out to the cloud. It’s the same approach they took with the RTX 3080 and 4080.
What to Expect When the 5080 Hits the Cloud
Once the RTX 5080 does arrive, here’s what we’re expecting:
- DLSS 4 (or something even shinier): NVIDIA loves AI-driven performance boosts, and the 5080 is likely to push visuals even further.
- Reduced Latency: The 5080’s improvements should make cloud gameplay feel even more responsive.
- More Headroom for 4K Gaming: More consistent 4K 120fps performance, even with the most demanding titles.
In short, if the RTX 4080 already makes GeForce NOW feel like a next-gen PC in the cloud, the 5080 could be an even bigger flex.
Final Thoughts
While it’s a bit of a letdown that we didn’t get the RTX 5080 upgrade for GeForce NOW at CES, it’s likely coming soon—following NVIDIA’s usual 3-6 month pattern. By the time summer hits, cloud gamers may be stepping into an upgraded RTX-powered world.
For now, the RTX 4080 still offers an incredible cloud gaming experience with all the RTX bells and whistles. But if you’re a tech junkie counting down for the next leap, keep your eyes peeled—2025 is looking promising.
Are you sticking with the 4080, or are you waiting for the 5080 to hit the cloud? Let’s talk about it!
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