Nvidia’s GeForce Now is upgrading to RTX 5080 GPUs and opening a floodgate of new games

Nvidia's GeForce Now cloud gaming service is undergoing a major upgrade. Starting in September, it will offer access to RTX 5080 GPUs with 48GB of memory and DLSS 4 technology, providing a significant performance boost. The service will also introduce a new "Install-to-Play" feature, allowing users to install games directly from Valve's Steam platform, potentially doubling the available library. The upgrade comes with some caveats, such as the need to download and install games each time, unless users pay for persistent storage. However, Nvidia claims that game installation will be faster due to the direct integration with Valve's servers. Additionally, GeForce Now will support 5K resolution streaming at 120fps or up to 360fps at 1080p, with a new Cinematic Quality Streaming mode for improved image quality. The service will also add support for Steam Deck OLED at 90Hz and native apps for LG's 4K OLED TVs and 5K OLED monitors. While Nvidia claims the RTX 5080 GPUs can provide up to 2.8 times faster gaming performance, the actual performance gains may vary, and latency remains a concern for cloud gaming. Nvidia is also experimenting with a new feature that allows users to try games directly from Discord servers, without the need for a GeForce Now login. Overall, the upgrades to GeForce Now aim to enhance the cloud gaming experience, offering more powerful hardware, expanded game library, and improved streaming quality. However, the service still faces challenges in securing partnerships with major publishers, such as Sony and Rockstar Games.