Nvidia’s GeForce Now has been a game-changer in the world of cloud gaming, allowing gamers to enjoy PC games on various devices for over ten years. At the recent Gamescom 2025 event, Nvidia made an exciting announcement: the introduction of Blackwell-powered servers into its GeForce Now service. This upgrade is expected to enhance gaming performance, reduce lag, and improve image quality for players.

What’s New with GeForce Now?

The most significant update for GeForce Now is the deployment of new Blackwell SuperPod servers. The Ultimate service tier will now offer a gaming experience comparable to the RTX 5080 graphics card, a substantial leap from the current RTX 4080. This upgrade means gamers will enjoy a host of features that come with Blackwell GPUs. This includes DLSS 4 capabilities and Multi-Frame Generation, elevating the gaming experience to new heights.

Nvidia claims that with the RTX 5080 instances, gaming output performance can increase by up to 2.8 times compared to the RTX 4080. While this impressive boost relies partially on the Multi-Frame Generation technology, it certainly signals better gameplay for users.

Enhanced Gaming Performance

With these upgrades, gamers can now look forward to 5K resolution at both 60 FPS and 120 FPS. For competitive players, a new 360Hz low-latency mode has also been introduced. This means smoother gameplay and an overall better experience, especially in fast-paced shooter games or racing titles.

Nvidia is also beefing up the backend systems that support GeForce Now. Each Ultimate server will now be powered by a new Ryzen Threadripper Pro CPU, offering eight cores and 16 threads. This significant enhancement not only boosts performance but also doubles the system memory for each server.

Reducing Latency

Low latency is crucial for enjoying cloud gaming, and Nvidia has taken several steps to minimize lag. The new Blackwell GPUs and Threadripper Pro CPUs help keep latency low from server to client. Additionally, Nvidia employs ConnectX 7 smart Network Interface Cards (NICs) and Rivermax packet pacing technology to further reduce delay. The company is also partnering with carriers like Comcast and Deutsche Telekom to use advanced network architectures for even lower latency.

Nvidia understands that input latency is a concern, especially with the new Multi-Frame Generation feature. However, the company believes that the overall improvements in server performance will offset any latency issues this feature may introduce. Additionally, gamers have the flexibility to turn off Multi-Frame Generation if they feel it affects their gameplay negatively.

Cinematic Quality Streaming

One exciting feature being rolled out is Cinematic Quality Streaming (CQS). This global quality setting aims to deliver an even better gaming experience. CQS will provide improvements like YUV 4:4:4 per-pixel color data and support for the efficient AV1 codec, allowing for streaming bandwidth of up to 100 Mbps. Gamers can expect clearer visuals and better overall performance, particularly during complex scenes, such as those with multiple moving elements like trees and foliage.

Install-to-Play Feature

Nvidia is expanding its game library with the Install-to-Play feature, which can add thousands of new titles to the GeForce Now service. Gamers who purchase a game on Steam will now have the ability to download it directly to a GeForce Now server during their gaming session. Each Ultimate and Performance subscriber will have access to 100GB of temporary storage for game installations. If players want to save their games for future sessions, Nvidia offers options for persistent storage, ranging from 200GB to 1TB.

Streaming Enhancements Across Devices

The upgrades are not limited to the servers; there are also significant improvements for various devices. Ultimate users can stream games at up to 90 FPS on the Steam Deck and 120 FPS on the Lenovo Legion Go S. Additionally, LG TV and monitor owners will now be able to enjoy streams at up to 4K 120 FPS with HDR enabled. Logitech racing wheel users will also get haptic support in compatible GeForce Now titles.

Pricing and Availability

All these exceptional upgrades will be available for those on the Ultimate tier starting September, with no increase in existing pricing. The Ultimate plan continues to cost $19.99 per month, $99.99 for six months, or $199.99 for a full year, while Performance memberships will remain at $9.99 per month, $49.99 for six months, or $99.99 for a year.

In conclusion, the advancements in Nvidia’s GeForce Now make it a compelling choice for gamers looking for cloud gaming solutions. With enhanced performance, reduced latency, and new features like Install-to-Play and Cinematic Quality Streaming, it is indeed an exciting time for cloud gaming enthusiasts.

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Original Text – https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/cloud-gaming/nvidias-geforce-now-gets-an-rtx-5080-upgrade-ultimate-subscribers-now-get-blackwell-benefits-in-the-cloud