Graphics cards play a crucial role in video editing, 3D graphics rendering, gaming, and other high-demand applications. As such, the graphics card market is constantly evolving as companies update and improve graphic card specifications for enhanced performance. NVIDIA has been at the forefront of manufacturing graphic cards with excellent performance and delivering high resolutions and refresh rates for modern-day gaming and intensive applications.
GeForce RTX graphics cards are known to be the most powerful GPU for gamers since they deliver ray tracing capabilities, AI-powered graphics, and high responsiveness for an unparalleled gaming experience. The RTX 4090 and RTX 3090 Ti are the latest graphic cards from NVIDIA. While they both have similar specifications and features, the new flagship is faster and delivers high performance at a higher price than its predecessor.
Let’s compare NVIDIA’s high-performing graphic cards, the 4090 vs. 3090 Ti, to help you make an informed decision.
RTX 4090 vs. 3090 Ti: Side-by-Side Comparison
| RTX 4090 | RTX 3090 Ti | |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Ada Lovelace | Ampere |
| Release Date | October 2022 | March 2022 |
| Fab. Process | TSMC 4N | Samsung 8N |
| ROPs | 176 | 112 |
| GPU | AD102 | GA102 |
| CUDA Cores | 16,384 | 10,752 |
| Memory Size | 24GB GDDR6X | 24GB GDDR6X |
| Memory Speed | 21 Gbps | 21 Gbps |
| Launch Price | $1,599 | $1,999 |
| Transistors (Billions) | 76.3 | 28.3 |
| Graphics Card Power | 450W | 450W |
| Base Clock | 2.23 GHz | 1.67 GHz |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 128 3rd gen | 84 2nd gen |
| Boost Clock | 2.52 GHz | 1.86 GHz |
| Tensor Cores | 512 4th gen | 336 3rd gen |
| Memory Interface | 384-bit | 384-bit |
- NVIDIA Ada Lovelace, with 2235MHz core clock and 2565MHz boost clock speeds to help meet the needs of demanding games.
- 24GB GDDR6X (384-bit) on-board memory, plus 16384 CUDA processing cores and up to 1008GB/sec of memory bandwidth provide the memory needed to create striking visual realism.
- PCI Express 4.0 interface - Offers compatibility with a range of systems. Also includes DisplayPort and HDMI outputs for expanded connectivity.
- NVIDIA GeForce Experience - Capture and share videos, screenshots, and livestreams with friends. Keep your drivers up to date and optimize your game settings. It's the essential companion to your GeForce graphics card.
- Short board length of RTX 4090 designed for best fit in most computer chassis.
- Powered by NVIDIA DLSS 3, ultra-efficient Ada Lovelace arch, and full ray tracing
- 24GB of G6X memory
- 2.4 GHz GPU clock speed
- Powered by Ampere—NVIDIA's 2nd gen RTX architecture
- Enhanced Ray Tracing Cores, Tensor Cores, and new streaming multiprocessors
RTX 4090 vs. 3090 Ti: What’s the Difference?
The latest Nvidia graphic card, RTX 4090, has significantly improved over the RTX 30 series. It brings an almost double performance in features like Tensor Cores, streaming multiprocessors, RT Cores, and a high-efficiency Ada Optical Flow Accelerator.
Previously, the 3090 Ti was the premium choice for the 30 series, but not anymore. The new kid on the block has a host of features that redefine high-end gaming capabilities. Here are some of the crucial areas in which RTX 4090 and 3090 Ti differ.
Price and Availability
The RTX 4090 launched at a price point of $1,599, which is justifiable, considering its robust performance and improved architecture. However, this is not to say that the 3090 Ti is inferior. It still delivers high performance and superior capabilities, especially in 4K gaming. The 3090 Ti, a variant of the original 3090, was released at $1,999.
During that period, the price kept fluctuating due to shortages; at some point, the prices were as high as $4,000. The cost of 3090 Ti has significantly reduced over time; you can currently get it at $1,000. The fact that NVIDIA launched the RTX 4090 at a lower price point indicates that they are not keen on dramatic price hikes across the board.
Due to the high demand for the new GeForce RTX 4090, there have been shortages since its release. The RTX 3090 Ti, on the other side, has been consistently readily available.
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Performance
The Nvidia RTX 4090 is undoubtedly faster than the previous graphic card generations. When pitted against other GPUs, the RTX 4090 has proved to be the fastest GPU ever made. The 4090 graphics card boasts more CUDA Cores than the 3090 Ti by 50%, promising a considerable boost in rasterization performance. In addition, the 4090 also features more SMs, RT Cores, and Tensor Cores by 50%, which translates to better image scaling capabilities and ray tracing. Also, the card has a larger L2 cache compared to the 3090 Ti and a higher boost clock and core.
Both the 4090 and 3090 Ti offer an impressive 24GB of high-speed GDDR6X video memory on a 384-bit memory bus, which will be greater for gaming on any resolution in the near future. However, the 4090 graphics card does not support PCIe 5.0 and instead relies on PCIe 4.0, similar to the 3090 Ti. While this may appear a disadvantage, it’s not a significant issue as graphics cards aren’t saturating PCIe 4.0 bandwidths in contemporary games.
The 4090 is an impressive GPU that stands out for its ability to deliver high performance while maintaining the same power consumption as the 3090 Ti, demonstrating a remarkable improvement in power efficiency. Both GPUs require an 850W PSU, as recommended by NVIDIA. When it comes to 4K gaming and ray tracing, the 4090 really shines, surpassing the capabilities of the 3090 Ti by achieving 60-68% performance gains. This breakthrough in hardware is paving the way for high refresh rates and 4K ray tracing to become the norm.
One of the most attractive features of the 4090 is its DLSS 3.0 capability. This technology enables game performance to increase by at least 50% and, in some cases, up to 100% higher than with DLSS 2. Even if DLSS 3.0 causes input lag, it can be easily disabled to obtain DLSS 2.0 performance, which is still superior due to the extra Tensor Cores in the 4090.
Features
Like its predecessors, the 3090 Ti and 3090, the RTX 4090 is equipped with ray tracing and DLSS support. However, due to its increased RT and Tensor core counts and cutting-edge hardware, it boasts significant performance enhancements when either or both of these features are enabled compared to the previous generation.
NVIDIA showcased their new DLSS 3 algorithm at GTC, revealing that it leads to substantial performance improvements when enabled, but it is an exclusive feature of the RTX 4000 series, requiring a next-generation card to take advantage of it.
Nevertheless, as DLSS3 has to be specifically added to games, its effect will be limited initially, as with previous DLSS releases. The RTX 4090 can also leverage DLSS 1 and DLSS 2 much more effectively than its predecessors. Therefore, whether you’re playing the newest DLSS 3 games or an older game with an earlier version of the upscaler, the RTX 4090 can offer excellent performance gains.
RTX 4090 vs. 3090 Ti: 10 Must-know Facts
- The RTX 4090 and 3090 Ti have different architecture, using Ampere for RTX 3090 Ti and Ada Lovelace for RTX 4090.
- The RTX 4090 is significantly more expensive than the 3090 Ti due to its increased performance and exclusive features.
- While they are both equipped with ray tracing and DLSS, RTX 4090 is one generation ahead of the RTX 3090 Ti.
- The GeForce RTX 4090 is a flagship in the RTX 40 series, which succeeded the RTX 30 series, where the RTX 3090 Ti belongs.
- Both graphic cards have the same power consumption.
- The 4090 is an impressive GPU that stands out for its ability to deliver high performance while maintaining the same power consumption as the 3090 Ti, demonstrating a remarkable improvement in power efficiency.
- They both have the same memory size.
- The RTX 4090 has fourth-generation Tensor Cores and a new Optical Flow Accelerator to support the new DLSS 3 algorithm, which offers substantial performance improvements when enabled.
- When it comes to 4K gaming and ray tracing, the 4090 really shines, surpassing the capabilities of the 3090 Ti by achieving 60-68% performance gains.
- Due to the high demand for the new GeForce RTX 4090, there have been shortages since its release.
- NVIDIA Ada Lovelace, with 2235MHz core clock and 2565MHz boost clock speeds to help meet the needs of demanding games.
- 24GB GDDR6X (384-bit) on-board memory, plus 16384 CUDA processing cores and up to 1008GB/sec of memory bandwidth provide the memory needed to create striking visual realism.
- PCI Express 4.0 interface - Offers compatibility with a range of systems. Also includes DisplayPort and HDMI outputs for expanded connectivity.
- NVIDIA GeForce Experience - Capture and share videos, screenshots, and livestreams with friends. Keep your drivers up to date and optimize your game settings. It's the essential companion to your GeForce graphics card.
- Short board length of RTX 4090 designed for best fit in most computer chassis.
- Powered by NVIDIA DLSS 3, ultra-efficient Ada Lovelace arch, and full ray tracing
- 24GB of G6X memory
- 2.4 GHz GPU clock speed
- Powered by Ampere—NVIDIA's 2nd gen RTX architecture
- Enhanced Ray Tracing Cores, Tensor Cores, and new streaming multiprocessors
RTX 4090 vs. 3090 Ti: Which One is Better for You?
The new NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 has become the undisputed leader in GPU technology, providing top-of-the-line rasterization performance and an array of new features shared by all 40-series Ada Lovelace cards. One such feature, DLSS 3, is especially impressive.
Just a short while ago, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 Ti was the most advanced GPU available, and it still delivers exceptional performance across all resolutions and games. However, compared to the 4090, the difference in performance is significant, marking a paradigm shift in gaming performance.
The 4090 allows for comfortable gameplay at 4K resolution with high refresh rates, even on max settings, making it possible to experience 4K gaming as we once thought of 1440p gaming. The RTX 3090 Ti will suffice for most gamers, offering ample performance for 1440p gaming at over 100 FPS in most games.
But, for those who desire even higher performance, such as 120 FPS or 144 FPS at 1440p in graphically demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077 and don’t mind spending the money, the 4090 is worth the investment. The GPU also shines in high refresh rate gaming at 4K, making it one of the first GPUs capable of handling 4K gaming without breaking a sweat.
The added benefit of DLSS 3.0 might be the deciding factor for many gamers. Although enabling frame generation can increase input latency in some games, it is unlikely to be noticeable when combined with NVIDIA Reflex at high frame rates. The drastic performance boost is significant enough to justify the 4090’s price tag.
