The gaming and tech community is abuzz with anticipation for Nvidia’s next-generation RTX 50-series GPUs, codenamed Blackwell. While official details are scarce, a mix of credible leaks and industry speculation suggests we’re looking at an early 2025 launch — likely tied to CES 2025, where Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is already slated to deliver a keynote address​.

So, When Exactly Is “Soon”?

Reputable leaker kopite7kimi, known for accurate insights, recently hinted at an imminent release on social media, stating, “We will meet GeForce of Blackwell soon.” However, what “soon” means is debatable. Other insiders, such as Igor’s Lab, report that Nvidia’s board partners have only just received engineering samples of the RTX 50-series GPUs for testing and production evaluation​.

This timeline indicates we are still months away from a retail-ready product. Industry watchers believe a CES 2025 announcement in January — similar to how Nvidia introduced its RTX 40-series Super cards — is the most likely scenario. A launch shortly after would align with Nvidia’s historical release patterns.

What Can We Expect from the RTX 50-Series?

The RTX 50-series, built on Nvidia’s Blackwell architecture, is expected to set a new benchmark for gaming and AI performance. Here’s a breakdown of the anticipated upgrades:

Performance Gains

Early leaks suggest the RTX 5090 will boast a significant uplift in core count, memory bandwidth, and efficiency compared to the RTX 4090, potentially delivering up to 70% better performance in some scenarios​. Gamers and professionals alike are eager to see how this translates into real-world capabilities.

Improved Efficiency

Blackwell is expected to further optimise energy consumption, addressing criticisms that GPUs have become power-hungry. This is crucial for both gaming rigs and the expanding market of AI applications.

AI Integration

Nvidia continues to dominate in AI applications, and the RTX 50-series is expected to further bolster capabilities like DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling). Enhanced generative AI features for content creation could also be on the horizon​.

Price and Availability

The RTX 4090 has recently seen price increases due to high demand from both AI developers and gamers. This trend might carry over, suggesting the RTX 50-series could launch with a hefty price tag, especially for flagship models like the 5090.

Why Wait?

For Nvidia, there’s no rush. The company dominates the GPU market and continues to see strong sales of its RTX 40-series, particularly the 4090. The staggered release of engineering samples indicates Nvidia’s confidence in its current line-up, giving it room to refine the RTX 50-series before unveiling it​.

Final Thoughts

While leaks and rumours keep us guessing, the most probable timeline points to a January 2025 unveiling at CES, followed by a retail launch shortly after. With tantalising promises of ground-breaking performance and efficiency, the RTX 50-series is poised to redefine gaming and AI once again.

Until Nvidia confirms the details, all we can do is speculate — and stay tuned for the inevitable flurry of leaks that are bound to surface as testing ramps up.