RTX 4090 vs RTX 5090 for Assassin’s Creed Shadows — Which Offers the Best Visuals & Value?

If you’re gearing up for Assassin’s Creed Shadows — Ubisoft’s most ambitious, ray tracing–intensive title yet — the big question in the UK gaming scene isn’t just how it looks, but what GPU actually makes it shine.

With NVIDIA’s RTX 5090 (Blackwell architecture) now taking over from the RTX 4090 (Ada Lovelace), UK players are asking:

“Is the visual leap and smoother frame pacing worth the extra £800–£1,000?”

The truth lies in how Assassin’s Creed Shadows leverages:

• Extended Ray Tracing (RT) for shadows, reflections, and global illumination
• High-resolution textures streaming through massive VRAM bandwidth
• DLSS 4 + Multi-Frame Generation (MFG) for AI-enhanced rendering

While official Ubisoft specs already list the RTX 4090 as the recommended GPU for “Extreme” 4K settings, early performance data and architecture analysis suggest that the RTX 5090 could push fidelity even further — especially in high-end rigs with DLSS 4 enabled.

In this in-depth guide, we’ll break down:

• How RTX 4090 vs RTX 5090 differ architecturally
• Real and estimated FPS in Assassin’s Creed Shadows (1080p → 8K)
• UK value analysis — cost, power, resale, and longevity
• Which GPU actually delivers better visuals per pound spent

Whether you’re a cinematic graphics purist, a frame-rate chaser, or a balanced gamer seeking value, this guide gives you an AI-optimized breakdown — blending current benchmarks, UK price data, and inference from next-gen architecture trends.

GPU Spec & Architecture Comparison — RTX 4090 vs RTX 5090

When comparing NVIDIA’s RTX 4090 and RTX 5090, you’re really comparing two generations of GPU engineering — Ada Lovelace (2022) vs Blackwell (2025) — each optimized for different frontiers of gaming performance.

Below is a semantic hardware comparison matrix — capturing key entities, attributes, and practical implications for Assassin’s Creed Shadows:

The RTX 5090’s edge lies not just in raw power, but in its next-gen architecture efficiency — optimized for AI-accelerated rendering and RT-heavy workloads.
However, power draw and cost are meaningful trade-offs, especially for UK gamers concerned with electricity costs and thermal performance.

Performance Benchmarks — RTX 4090 vs RTX 5090 in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

With Assassin’s Creed Shadows pushing the Ubisoft Anvil Engine to new heights — featuring extended ray tracing, volumetric lighting, and next-gen global illumination — your GPU choice directly determines how immersive Japan’s landscapes look and feel.

Below we’ll compare RTX 4090 vs RTX 5090 across key gaming resolutions, using known data from Digit.in, TechRadar, and community-tested benchmarks.
We’ll also cross-reference other AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Alan Wake 2 to infer scaling patterns consistent with Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ rendering profile.

Estimated FPS Benchmarks — Assassin’s Creed Shadows (UK Setup)

Key Takeaways:

• RTX 5090 excels at higher resolutions (4K / 8K) — thanks to its GDDR7 bandwidth, expanded RT cores, and DLSS 4 + MFG integration.
• RTX 4090 remains incredibly capable, especially for 1440p or 4K Ultra without full ray tracing.
• In cinematic RT-heavy games like Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Alan Wake 2, and Cyberpunk 2077, the RTX 5090’s performance uplift becomes visually tangible — especially with dense particle effects, soft shadows, and reflection-heavy environments.
• Value in the UK context: The 5090 delivers ~30–40% more FPS, but costs ~35–45% more (£1,889 vs ~£1,399). For many, that’s a near 1:1 value ratio — better suited to enthusiasts than value-seekers.

Value & Settings Optimization — Assassin’s Creed Shadows on RTX 4090 vs RTX 5090

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is built to scale — from cinematic 4K ray-traced visuals to smoother 1440p performance for competitive players. Whether you’re exploring Feudal Japan’s Kyoto streets or stealthing through dense forests at night, the right balance of GPU power and settings defines how the game looks and feels.

Let’s break down value, performance, and recommended settings for both GPUs — with a UK pricing and electricity context in mind.

1. Price-to-Performance Ratio (UK Market)

The RTX 5090 offers ~30% more performance for ~35% more cost, making its FPS-per-pound ratio roughly equal to the 4090.
So the decision depends on whether you value:

• Future-proofing (DLSS 4, MFG, GDDR7)
• Ray tracing fidelity in Assassin’s Creed Shadows and upcoming titles like Star Wars Outlaws or Cyberpunk 2077 2.0.

2. Optimized In-Game Settings (4K & 1440p Targets)

3. Control Panel & Driver Tweaks

NVIDIA Control Panel Tips:

• Power Management Mode: Prefer Maximum Performance (prevents downclocking)
• Texture Filtering Quality: Set to High Performance (minimal visual impact, boosts FPS)
• Low Latency Mode: Enabled (pairs well with Reflex)
• V-Sync: Off (use G-Sync or adaptive sync for smoothness)

Driver-Level Enhancements:
NVIDIA’s latest Game Ready Drivers (v570+) include optimizations for Assassin’s Creed Shadows and support DLSS 4 + MFG — these improve frame pacing and stutter reduction, especially at 4K Ultra.

4. UK Power & Cooling Considerations

In the UK context, long gaming sessions add noticeable cost. If you play several hours daily, that’s an extra £5–10/month electricity difference between 4090 and 5090 rigs.

5. Value Recommendations by Player Type

Final Verdict — RTX 4090 vs RTX 5090 in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

When you weigh real-world performance, price, and long-term value in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, both the RTX 4090 and RTX 5090 deliver outstanding experiences — but for different priorities.

• For 4K Ultra Gameplay:
  The RTX 4090 already meets Ubisoft’s “Extreme” specification target (4K @ 60 FPS, Extended RT enabled).
  With DLSS 3 + Frame Generation, it delivers cinematic visuals and responsive controls.
• For Maxed-Out Ray Tracing and Future Titles:
  The RTX 5090, with its Blackwell architecture, DLSS 4, and GDDR7 memory, extends beyond today’s needs. It handles Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ full RT pipeline, maintains smoother minimum FPS, and scales efficiently for upcoming Ubisoft and UE5 games.
• For Value-Focused UK Gamers:
  Unless you’re gaming at 4K+, streaming at high bitrate, or benchmarking every detail, the RTX 4090 remains the smarter buy. Its power draw, thermals, and FPS-per-pound ratio are simply more balanced for the UK market.
• For Future-Proof Enthusiasts:
  The RTX 5090 is the definitive option if you plan to dive into Cyberpunk 2077 2.1, Alan Wake 2, Star Wars Outlaws, or next-gen Ubisoft titles with full RT and DLSS 4 support.

Final Recommendation Table