NVIDIA GeForce NOW RTX 3080: 1440p 120 FPS Streaming

NVIDIA Launches GeForce Now RTX 3080 Cloud Gaming

NVIDIA has introduced its advanced cloud gaming platform, GeForce Now RTX 3080. This new service delivers what NVIDIA describes as “desktop-class latency” and enables gaming at resolutions up to 1440p with frame rates of 120 fps on both PC and Mac systems.

Powering this enhanced experience is a novel gaming supercomputer, designated the GeForce Now SuperPod. The RTX 3080 tier represents a doubling in cost compared to the existing Priority subscription level.

GeForce Now SuperPod Specifications

According to NVIDIA, the SuperPod is currently “the most powerful gaming supercomputer ever built.” It boasts a processing capability of 39,200 TFLOPS, incorporating 11,477,760 CUDA Cores and 8,960 CPU Cores.

NVIDIA states that users can anticipate performance equivalent to 35 TFLOPs. This is approximately three times the power of the Xbox Series X, and is comparable to a PC configuration featuring an 8-core CPU, 28GB of DDR4-3200 RAM, and a PCI-GEN4 SSD.

Performance and Display Capabilities

Gamers will experience 1440p gaming at refresh rates reaching 120fps on Mac or PC platforms. Furthermore, 4K HDR gaming is supported on Shield devices, although NVIDIA has not specified the refresh rate for this configuration.

The service also extends support for 120 fps gameplay on mobile devices, specifically designed to take advantage of “next-gen 120Hz displays.” In contrast, the existing GeForce Now Priority tier is capped at 1080p resolution with a 60 fps frame rate, with adaptive VSync being a recent addition.

Latency and Responsiveness

NVIDIA is also promoting a reduced “click-to-pixel” latency, aiming for as low as 56 milliseconds. This is achieved through techniques like adaptive sync, which minimizes buffering. The company claims this surpasses the latency of competing services and even locally-run, dedicated PCs.

However, this 56ms figure is predicated on a 15 millisecond round trip delay (RTD) to the GeForce Now data center, a metric that will vary based on the user’s internet service provider and geographical location.

Pricing and Availability

The new tier represents a significant performance boost over the current GeForce Priority level, regardless of whether users are gaming on mobile or PC. This increased performance comes at a cost.

The GeForce Now premium tier previously cost $50 annually and was recently increased to $100. The RTX 3080 tier is priced at $100 for a six-month period – effectively doubling the cost – and is available “in limited quantities.” Access for Founders and priority users began today. Despite the price, NVIDIA suggests it remains a more affordable option than purchasing a new gaming PC.

Note: The original version of this article was published on Engadget.