I'm in the early stages of researching my next build, and trying to catch up with the tech. (I don't tend to follow developments between builds). @D Fosse often stresses the GPU, but I don't think I had a handle on the GPU's precise place when it comes to Photoshop. I am a hug fan of Google's new(ish) Ai Overview, and it turns out it is incredibly useful at doing this soprt of research for you.
I asked:
'RTX508 vs RTX5090 for Photoshop?'
AI Overview
For Photoshop, the RTX 5080 offers excellent high-end performance, but the RTX 5090 provides flagship power with double the VRAM (32GB vs. 16GB) and significantly more CUDA cores , making it superior for extremely large files, complex AI filters (Neural Filters), and heavy multitasking, though its massive power draw (575W) and cost are much higher; the RTX 5080 is often the better value sweet spot for most creators, balancing power and efficiency.
Key Differences for Photoshop:
VRAM (Memory): 32GB (5090) vs. 16GB (5080). More VRAM is crucial for large, layered PSDs and AI features in Photoshop.
CUDA Cores: ~21,760 (5090) vs. ~10,752 (5080). More cores mean faster processing for GPU-accelerated tasks.
Bandwidth: ~1792 GB/s (5090) vs. ~896 GB/s (5080). Faster bandwidth helps move data quicker.
Power (TDP): 575W (5090) vs. 360W (5080). The 5090 demands much more power and cooling.
When to Choose the RTX 5090:
You work with extremely high-resolution photos (8K+) and massive, multi-layered files.
You frequently use AI-powered features like Neural Filters or Generative Fill, which heavily leverage GPU power and VRAM.
You also do intensive video editing (Premiere Pro) or 3D rendering alongside Photoshop.
You get slightly different information if you simply ask Photoshop GPU useage
I have also been looking at what mainboards support the most M.2 NVMe slots with full bandwidth (lanes) and found that you can absolutely have four or more uber fast NVMe drives with chipsets like Z890 (for Intel Gen 15 Ultra 9 285K). I have two 2TB Samsung 980 Pro drives in my current system, and thought that the 990 Pro was current state of the art. I was wrong. I had not even heard of the Samsung 9100 Pro drives. They are PCI 5.0 and significantly faster than the 990 Pro.
Samsung 990 Pro vs Samsung 9100 Pro (Note: You are goping to need a PCI 5.0 MB for the 9100 Pro)
The Samsung 9100 Pro is a newer, significantly faster PCIe 5.0 drive for professionals with double the speeds (up to 14,800/13,400 MB/s read/write) and better efficiency than the 990 Pro , a high-end PCIe 4.0 drive for gaming/prosumers (up to 7,450/6,900 MB/s). Choose the 9100 Pro for maximum future-proofing and demanding tasks on a PCIe 5 system, or the 990 Pro for excellent performance on current PCIe 4 systems, often at a better value if prices are close and your workload doesn't max out PCIe 4.
Samsung 990 Pro (PCIe 4.0)
Best For: High-performance gaming, graphic design, everyday power users on PCIe 4.0 systems.
Speeds: Up to ~7,450/6,900 MB/s sequential read/write.
Interface: PCIe Gen 4.
Key Feature: Excellent performance for most current workloads, often at a lower cost than Gen 5.
Samsung 9100 Pro (PCIe 5.0)
Best For: AI content creation, 8K video editing, high-end professional tasks, future-proofing.
Speeds: Up to ~14,800/13,400 MB/s sequential read/write (double the 990 Pro).
Interface: PCIe Gen 5.
Key Feature: Class-leading speed, higher IOPS, and better power efficiency for its performance, but requires a compatible Gen 5 motherboard for full benefit.
Which to Choose?
If you have a PCIe 5.0 motherboard (e.g., Intel 700/800 series, AMD 7000 series): The 9100 Pro is the clear choice for unlocking its immense speed, especially if you handle massive files or intense applications.
If you have a PCIe 4.0 motherboard: The 990 Pro offers fantastic, near-maximum PCIe 4.0 speeds and is usually more cost-effective. The 9100 Pro will work but will be limited to PCIe 4.0 speeds, making the price difference less justified unless you plan to upgrade your motherboard soon.
For Value: If you find the 990 Pro significantly cheaper, it's still a top-tier drive. If the price difference for the 9100 Pro is small, especially during sales, its Gen 5 capabilities and efficiency make it a better long-term investment if your system supports it.
To summarize, Google's Ai Overview feature is a hugely useful tool for doing your research, and computer performance has taken quite a leap in the last couple of years. I'm looking at the end of this year (2026) to replace my i9-13900K system.
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