Each new graphics card release sparks excitement, and Nvidia’s RTX 5080, with its cutting-edge DLSS 4 technology, promises to elevate visuals and frame rates to unprecedented levels. Yet, my aging gaming PC gave me pause before diving in.

My trusty RTX 3080 delivered smooth 60 fps at 4K with max settings for years, but its performance gradually dipped to 30 fps, forcing me to lower settings. As a gamer who cherishes the artistry in games, this was frustrating—I wanted to experience every detail as intended. Could my old rig handle the RTX 5080?

Surprisingly, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 worked with my dated setup. My 1000-watt PSU easily supported the power demands, transitioning smoothly from the RTX 3080.

Still, challenges arose. My setup wasn’t ideal, and raw performance felt underwhelming at times. Despite my reservations about DLSS 4, its multi-frame generation technology proved transformative, ultimately winning me over.

Installing the RTX 5080 – A Four-Hour Ordeal

My PC, though not ancient, runs an AMD Ryzen 7 5800X and 32GB of RAM on a Gigabyte X570 Aorus Master motherboard—a detail that proved critical. Swapping graphics cards seemed straightforward, but I was quickly humbled.

I mistakenly thought the RTX 3080’s PCIe 8-pin cables would suffice for the RTX 5080, plugging them into two of its three adapters. Predictably, the card showed no signs of life when powered on. Frustrating.

With my PC already disassembled, I searched for PCIe 12-pin cables and, to my surprise, found a Corsair PCIe Gen 5 Type 4 600-watt set available via DoorDash from a Best Buy out of state for $44. Hunger for power, indeed.

An hour later, the cables arrived. I connected everything, and the GPU flickered to life—barely. The monitors stayed dark, and a red VGA light glowed on my motherboard. Another hour revealed the issue: the X570’s bulky chipset fan blocked the RTX 5080 from fully seating in the PCIe x16 slot. No amount of force could fix it. Exasperating.

Defeated, I settled for a PCIe x8 slot for the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080, one of Nvidia’s top GPUs. So, with an older CPU and a compromised PCIe slot, how did it perform?

RTX 5080 Performance on an Aging PC

After 30 benchmarks across five games, the RTX 5080’s raw performance was average on my setup. But with DLSS 4 enabled, the results were staggering, delivering the high frame rates Nvidia promised. As someone who values game artistry, DLSS 4’s necessity for older PCs like mine is bittersweet—it’s the only way forward.

For the uninitiated, DLSS 4 uses super sampling to boost performance and enhance image quality. Unique to the RTX 50-series, Multi-Frame Generation leverages AI to create up to three frames per rendered frame, though it’s limited to supported games. Some titles allow overrides via the Nvidia app.

I tested the RTX 5080 with Monster Hunter Wilds, a game that exposed my RTX 3080’s limits. At 4K, Ultra preset, and RT High settings with DLSS off, I hit only 51 fps. Enabling DLAA and standard frame generation (2x) pushed it to 74 fps—exceeding my 60 fps goal. Switching to Ultra Performance mode yielded 124 fps. (Multi-Frame Generation (4x) isn’t natively supported yet, though a workaround exists.)

In Avowed’s Living Lands, my RTX 3080 struggled, barely reaching 35 fps at Ultra, 4K, RT on with DLSS off. With DLAA and Multi-Frame Generation, it soared to 113 fps—a 223% jump. Ultra Performance doubled that, leaving me stunned.

Oblivion: Remastered, a nearly 20-year-old game’s remake, was even tougher. At Ultra, 4K, RT Ultra with DLSS off, I averaged 30 fps, dipping to 20 fps. DLAA with Multi-Frame Generation hit 95 fps, and Ultra Performance reached 172 fps. Those Daedra didn’t stand a chance.

Marvel Rivals, a competitive title, performed well. As a Magik main, precision is key. At Ultra, 4K with DLSS off, I got 65 fps and 45ms latency. With DLSS Native and Multi-Frame Generation, it hit 182 fps but 50ms latency. Performance mode with standard frame generation delivered 189 fps and 28ms latency—ideal for competitive play.

Finally, Black Myth Wukong’s benchmark at Cinematic, 4K, DLSS 40% with RT Very High yielded 42 fps without frame generation. Enabling standard frame generation reached 69 fps. Multi-Frame Generation could theoretically push it to 123 fps on my setup.

Raw GPU performance disappointed due to my aging components and the RTX 50-series’ modest raw power gains. Yet, DLSS 4 turned things around dramatically.

No Need for a Full PC Upgrade with a New GPU

DLSS 4 and Multi-Frame Generation have caveats. The tech generates artificial frames, leading to occasional texture fuzziness or inventory screen artifacts. It sacrifices some fidelity for smoother performance, mimicking the real thing. While great for poorly optimized ports, I hope developers don’t lean too heavily on it.

My experience shows that a new GPU can work wonders even on suboptimal setups. I considered removing my motherboard’s fan to use the PCIe x16 slot, but DLSS 4’s performance made it unnecessary.

You don’t need to overhaul your PC for the RTX 5080. A new power supply (850W minimum) and cables may suffice. GPUs are pricey and scarce, so don’t rush to upgrade everything—your current rig is likely fine.

My setup’s longevity is uncertain, but DLSS 4 and Multi-Frame Generation have extended its life, giving me time to enjoy games like never before.