NVIDIA used Gamescom 2025 to roll out a broad update for GeForce NOW that pushes the cloud service closer to matching high-end local gaming rigs. The headline change is the arrival of GeForce RTX 5080 hardware in the Ultimate tier, replacing the previous RTX 4080-based instances. That upgrade is built to deliver up to 4K Ultra HD, up to 240 frames per second, and session lengths as long as eight hours, while enabling features such as DLSS 4 multi frame generation and support for new rendering techniques that the RTX 4080 cannot run.
The company framed GeForce NOW as a way to avoid steep graphics card costs by rendering games in the cloud, then streaming them to almost any screen with compatible inputs. The service continues to surface titles from major PC stores and launchers, including Steam, Epic Games, GOG, Xbox and Ubisoft. NVIDIA says the Ultimate RTX 5080 tier benefits from multi frame generation to drive considerably higher frame-rates, claiming up to 2.8 times the frame-rate of the previous RTX 4080-based Ultimate tier. That improvement targets smoother gameplay and more headroom for ray tracing, Mega Geometry and the emerging class of neural rendering features.
Beyond raw GPU changes, NVIDIA also announced cinematic streaming and new low-latency technologies for GeForce NOW, aiming to enhance both visual fidelity and responsiveness for streamed games. Cinematic streaming suggests higher-quality encodes and presentation options, while the low-latency work is intended to reduce input delay and improve playability across varied network conditions. Taken together, the updates position GeForce NOW as a more capable alternative to buying high-end hardware, especially for players who want near-PC visuals and advanced rendering features on devices that could not otherwise run them.
