NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090
The previous generation's halo card, with 24GB of VRAM and 16384 CUDA cores, still a 4K powerhouse for gaming and a serious creator workhorse.
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Why we rate it
- 24GB of VRAM is genuinely useful
- Native 4K maxed-out performance
- Creator workstation credentials
- DLSS 3 with Frame Generation
- Heavy 450W TDP and 12VHPWR cable
- Massive triple-slot dimensions
Where the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 wins and loses
Specifications
General info
Memory
Compute units
Power
Design and cooling
Display outputs
More specs
Watch it in action
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 vs NVIDIA NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
| NVIDIANVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090This page | NVIDIANVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 95 /100 | 100 /100Better |
| VRAM | 24 GB | 32 GBBetter |
| Boost clock | 2520 MHzBetter | 2407 MHz |
| Memory type | GDDR6X | GDDR7 |
| TDP | 450 WBetter | 575 W |
| Cuda cores | 16384 | 21760Better |
| Memory bus bit | 384 | 512Better |
Is the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 right for you?
If you want native 4K ultra with full ray tracing, or you need the 24GB of VRAM for serious 3D rendering, AI/ML work, or 4K and 8K video editing, the 4090 is still one of the very best options on the market.
If gaming is your only use and the 24GB of VRAM doesn't matter to you, a current-gen RTX 5080 typically offers similar gaming performance with DLSS 4 multi-frame gen for less money.
Before you buy
Yes, for creators and 4K maximalists. The 24GB of VRAM and elite CUDA performance remain genuinely useful. For pure gaming, the RTX 5080 is often a smarter buy at lower prices with DLSS 4 multi-frame gen.
Roughly matches the 5080 in gaming with more VRAM, but loses DLSS 4 multi-frame gen. Beats the 5080 in heavy creator and ML workloads thanks to 24GB. The 5090 is meaningfully faster overall but costs significantly more.
Nvidia recommends 850W and that's the realistic floor. With a Core i9 or Ryzen 9 CPU and any manual overclocking, step up to a quality 1000W or 1200W unit. The 12VHPWR connector needs proper handling.
Most 4090s are large 3 to 4-slot triple-fan cards. You need a full-size mid-tower or full-tower with plenty of GPU length and slot clearance. ITX cases are firmly incompatible.
Alternatives & similar graphics cards
