Comparison

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Performance Comparison: Rival Models & Upgrade Paths

How does the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 hold up for playing Cities: Skylines II in 2026? We've compared its performance against similar tier GPUs to identify the most cost-effective upgrade paths.

Equivalent Performance GPUs

Compare the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 against its closest performance rivals at equivalent settings.

Generational Performance Gap

Track the generational leap of the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 within its class, visualized in FPS.

GeForce RTX 3090
Previous Gen
GeForce RTX 4090
Previous Gen
TARGET GPU
GeForce RTX 5090
Selected GPU

High-Tier GPU Upgrades

Identify the best upgrade paths from the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 for 4K or high-refresh gaming.

TARGET GPU
GeForce RTX 5090
Selected GPU
Display Pairing

Cities: Skylines II x NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090: Optimal Display Pairing

Finding the sweet spot for Cities: Skylines II on the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090: avoid over-spec or power shortages. We've identified the ideal resolution to maximize your hardware's potential.

Sweet Spot Environment

The optimal configuration that most efficiently translates hardware performance into visual quality.

Comfortable / Ample
1080p
High Settings
Performance
AVE. 83 FPS

Stable performance consistently exceeding 60 FPS. With performance to spare, higher resolution environments are also an option.

Sweet Spot
1440p
Medium Settings
Performance
AVE. 63 FPS

The optimal resolution where your GPU performance is maximized. Perfect balance of density and response.

Minimum Playable
4K(2160p)
Low Settings
Performance
AVE. 41 FPS

Technically playable, but consistently maintaining 60 FPS is difficult even at low settings. A lower resolution or hardware upgrade is recommended for smooth gameplay.

Optimal Monitor Size Guide for NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090

Visual clarity scales differently depending on physical screen size. Use this matrix to check if your current or planned monitor pairs perfectly with this GPU.

Grade Color Index:
S (Flawless)
A (Sharp / Great)
B (Standard)
C (Rough / Blurry)
F (Low Fidelity)
- (NG / Unsupported)
Resolution ClassFPS Target21"24"27"32"34"42"
1080p
FPS LIMIT
144
FPS LIMIT
60
A
S
S
C
B
A
C
B
A
C
C
F
C
C
F
F
F
F
FPS LIMIT
30
A
S
S
S
C
B
A
A
C
B
A
A
C
C
F
F
C
C
F
F
F
F
F
F
1440p
FPS LIMIT
144
FPS LIMIT
60
A
S
B
B
B
B
C
C
C
C
F
F
FPS LIMIT
30
A
S
S
S
B
B
A
A
B
B
A
A
C
C
B
B
C
C
B
B
F
F
F
F
4K(2160p)
FPS LIMIT
144
FPS LIMIT
60
FPS LIMIT
30
A
S
B
B
B
B
C
C
C
C
F
F
FAQ

FAQ: Cities: Skylines II x NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090

What is the optimal setting for playing Cities: Skylines II with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090?

We recommend "1080p / Ultimate / FG: ON" for comfort. By leveraging AI enhancements, you can maintain high visual quality while ensuring smooth gameplay.

Can NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 run Cities: Skylines II on Ultra settings?

Yes, but frame drops may occur. For a stable 60FPS, try high settings (83 FPS).

Can I play Cities: Skylines II at 4K resolution with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090?

4K is not recommended for this setup. The game averages only 31 FPS at 4K even on Standard settings. We suggest playing at 1440p or 1080p for a better experience.

Can I use Frame Generation (DLSS 3 / FSR 3) in Cities: Skylines II with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090?

Yes, it is supported. Yes, it is supported via null. This configuration leverages your NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090's features for extremely smooth gameplay.

Playable

Featured Games for NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090

The potential of the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 extends far beyond a single title. We’ve analyzed other popular games that run comfortably (Grade S-B) on this hardware.

Comfort Grade: A