
NVIDIA is poised to revolutionize cloud gaming with its significant upgrade to GeForce Now, introducing the Blackwell architecture, which brings performance comparable to the RTX 5080 at no additional cost.
NVIDIA Unveils Its Most Significant GeForce Now Update: Blackwell Enhances Gaming Experience with RTX 5080 Performance
In an exciting announcement today, NVIDIA has revealed a massive upgrade to GeForce Now powered by the innovative Blackwell GPU architecture. This update is packed with new capabilities and enhancements aimed at elevating the cloud gaming experience, as detailed below:
- GeForce RTX 5080 Performance
- Cinematic Quality Streaming
- Low-Latency Streaming
- Support for New Partner Devices
- A Broader Selection of New Games
- Install-To-Play Feature

The upgrade’s cornerstone is transitioning from the Ada Lovelace architecture to the Blackwell framework.

This enhancement leverages the new GeForce RTX 5080 SuperPod network, featuring dedicated servers equipped with custom GPUs offering 48 GB of VRAM, resulting in a total of 60 GB of memory per SuperPod. Notably, there is a doubling in the number of tensor cores, optimizing AI tasks such as DLSS.
Each user will experience the power of RTX 5080 level performance alongside an 8-Core AMD Ryzen CPU built on the Zen 5 core architecture, clocking in at 4.4 GHz. This setup promises a remarkable 30% increase in efficiency over the existing SuperPod processors. The improvements extend not only to the GPU, transitioning from RTX 4080 to RTX 5080 for enhanced efficiency and performance, but also to the new Zen 5 architecture of the CPU, promising considerable gains in speed and reliability.

According to data shared by NVIDIA, the GeForce Now RTX 5080 SuperPod boasts an impressive threefold increase in TFLOPs compared to the Sony PlayStation 5 Pro. Remarkably, the upgrade provides 2.8 times the performance over the existing RTX 4080 Ultimate solution within the GeForce Now ecosystem.

This hardware transition has also led to substantial improvements in image quality, with NVIDIA claiming that users can now experience visual fidelity comparable to high-end local PC gaming systems. To achieve this level of quality, NVIDIA has integrated several advanced features within the new Cinematic Quality Streaming (CQS) mode.

The key features of CQS include:
- YUV 4:4:4 Chroma: Ensuring full color precision for sharper text and reduced color blending.
- HDR10: Delivering a broader color spectrum.
- SDR10: Enhancing color richness, contrast depth, and smooth gradients.
- AV1 + RPR: Facilitating stable and smooth resolution shifts for streaming.
- AI Video Filter: Providing cleaner motion, minimizing noise and artifacts.
- DPI Awareness: Ensuring sharper visuals on high-resolution displays.
- 100 Mbps Streaming: Offering ultra-clear quality even in intricate scenes.
- HUD Sharpness: Enhancing the clarity of HUDs and UIs for a superior gameplay experience.

Another advancement is the introduction of a Low Latency Streaming (LLS) mode, designed to match the responsiveness of top gaming devices. This new setup supports Reflex and Rivermax HW packet packing, enabling direct data transfer to and from the GPU, which minimises latency, even at elevated bit rates.

In collaboration with global ISPs, NVIDIA has incorporated L4S Network Support, drastically reducing latency during packet transit. Consequently, this development permits clients to enjoy up to 360 FPS (1080p) and 240 FPS (1440p) streaming along with Cloud G-Sync technology.

This low-latency streaming enhancement provides an exceptionally responsive gaming experience, especially in competitive titles like Overwatch 2, showcasing click-to-photon latency of just 30ms at 360Hz. In contrast, the PlayStation 5 Pro, operating in 120Hz mode, registers a latency of 49ms on the same network with a 10ms response time delay.
As for enhancements in supported devices, NVIDIA GeForce Now is broadening its compatibility range. The new Valve Steam Deck OLED is set to support 90 FPS streaming, while the Lenovo Legion Go S can facilitate 120 FPS streaming. Additionally, support for Logitech racing wheels and various LG TVs and monitors allows for up to 4K at 120 FPS with HDR as well as 5K at 120 FPS in OLED mode.
Furthermore, NVIDIA is updating the GeForce Now game library, with the introduction of several new AAA titles, including:
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 7
- Borderlands 4
- Dying Light: The Beast
- The Outer Worlds 2
- ARC Raiders
- Hell is Us

One notable new addition is the Install-to-Play feature, which will expand the GeForce Now library to over 2, 500 Steam games. This feature allows publishers to make their games available for cloud gaming, enabling NVIDIA to automatically download and install the games, which will then be streamed directly to users.

The servers will utilize state-of-the-art high-speed NVMesh storage, providing performance akin to local setups, offering premium members 100 GB of single-session storage. This innovative infrastructure allows for persistent game installations across sessions while safeguarding saved game progress without depending on Steam Cloud.

In conclusion:
- The launch of the NVIDIA Blackwell architecture represents a transformative update for GeForce NOW, integrating RTX 5080-class GPUs to provide cloud gaming capabilities with NVIDIA DLSS 4 Multi-Frame Generation, facilitating streaming up to 5K resolution at 120 FPS and incorporating new AI-driven features.
- The game library will see a significant expansion, now exceeding 4, 500 titles with the incorporation of the Install-to-Play feature, giving members access to a broader selection of their PC games, in addition to the newly added AAA titles.
- A new Cinematic Quality Streaming mode greatly enhances graphical fidelity, offering superior color accuracy, seamless streaming, and crystal-clear visuals.
- Support continues to grow for various devices, including racing wheels and increased frame rates for the Steam Deck and LG TVs, allowing for enhanced gaming experiences.
- NVIDIA has partnered with Discord and Epic to create a more integrated experience for Fortnite players, enabling direct friend invites in Discord, enhancing social gaming and game discovery possibilities.

Lastly, the updated GeForce Now services will remain competitively priced, maintaining the same rates as existing plans. The “Ultimate”membership will start at $19.99 per month, while the “Performance”option will begin at $9.99 per month.

Persistent Cloud Storage add-ons will be priced at $2.99 for 200 GB, $4.99 for 500 GB, and $7.99 for 1 TB. Users can expect the rollout of NVIDIA Blackwell RTX on GeForce Now in September of this year.Reserve your spot for early access to RTX 5080-class servers here.
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