G3D Mark is a standard benchmark that measures graphics performance in real-world gaming scenarios. It simplifies comparing cards from different brands, where higher scores directly correlate with better fps and smoother gaming experiences.

GeForce RTX 3090 vs RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with Ryzen 7 9800X3D to isolate GPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

GeForce RTX 3090 vs RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each GPU makes more sense in practice: raw FPS, VRAM, features, power draw, pricing, and long-term headroom.

GeForce RTX 3090

2020

Why buy it

✅47.6% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 17.7 vs 0 G3D/$ ($1,499 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
✅Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
✅100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (24 GB vs 12 GB).

Trade-offs

❌RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU is the safer long-term pick here because the hardware is newer and the feature stack is stronger.
❌204.3% higher power demand at 350W vs 115W.
❌197.1% longer card at 312mm vs 105mm.

RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU

2023

Why buy it

✅Better long-term bet: Ada Lovelace (2022−2024) on 5nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.
✅Draws 115W instead of 350W, a 235W reduction.
✅Measures 105mm instead of 312mm, a 207mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3090 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 12 GB vs 24 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 17.7 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $1,499 MSRP).

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

GeForce RTX 3090 is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 47.6% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 5.3% in PassMark G3D (26,594 vs 25,267), so the answer here is pretty clean.

Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?

RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: a 5nm process instead of 8nm and a newer 2023 generation instead of 2020. That makes it the less risky pick as game demands keep moving.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

GeForce RTX 3090 makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and strong 1440p, GeForce RTX 3090 is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and strong 1440p headroom, RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce RTX 3090 vs RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

GeForce RTX 3090

The GeForce RTX 3090 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in September 1 2020. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1395 MHz to 1695 MHz. It has 10496 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 350W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 82 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 26,594 points. Launch price was $1,499.

RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU

The RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 21 2023. It features the Ada Lovelace architecture. The core clock ranges from 975 MHz to 1500 MHz. It has 5120 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 115W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 40 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 25,267 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3090 scores 26,594 versus the RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU's 25,267 — the GeForce RTX 3090 leads by 5.3%. The GeForce RTX 3090 is built on Ampere while the RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU uses Ada Lovelace, both on 8 nm vs 5 nm. Shader units: 10,496 (GeForce RTX 3090) vs 5,120 (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU). Raw compute: 35.58 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3090) vs 15.82 TFLOPS (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU). Boost clocks: 1695 MHz vs 1500 MHz. Ray tracing: 82 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3090) vs 40 (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU) with 328 Tensor cores vs 160.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3090	RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU
G3D Mark Score	26,594+5%	25,267
Architecture	Ampere	Ada Lovelace
Process Node	8 nm	5 nm
Shading Units	10496+105%	5120
Compute (TFLOPS)	35.58 TFLOPS+125%	15.82 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	1695 MHz+13%	1500 MHz
ROPs	112+75%	64
TMUs	328+105%	160
L1 Cache	10.3 MB+106%	5 MB
L2 Cache	6 MB	48 MB+700%
Ray Tracing Cores	82+105%	40
Tensor Cores	328+105%	160

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU supports the newer Upscaling support, whereas the GeForce RTX 3090 is capped at DLSS 2 Super Resolution.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3090	RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU
Upscaling Tech	DLSS 2 Super Resolution	Upscaling support
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	NVIDIA Reflex

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce RTX 3090 has 24 GB of VRAM, while the RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU carries 12 GB. GeForce RTX 3090 gives you 100% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bandwidth: 936 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3090) vs 432 GB/s (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU) — a 116.7% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3090. Memory bus width is 384-bit on the GeForce RTX 3090 and 192-bit on the RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU. L2 Cache: 6 MB (GeForce RTX 3090) vs 48 MB (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU) — the RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3090	RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU
VRAM Capacity	24 GB+100%	12 GB
Memory Type	GDDR6X	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	936 GB/s+117%	432 GB/s
Bus Width	384-bit+100%	192-bit
L2 Cache	6 MB	48 MB+700%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3090) vs 12 Ultimate (12_2) (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU). Vulkan: 1.4 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3090	RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU
DirectX	12 Ultimate	12 Ultimate (12_2)
Vulkan	1.4+8%	1.3
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3090) vs NVENC 8th Gen (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU). Decoder: NVDEC 5th gen vs NVDEC 5th Gen. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 (GeForce RTX 3090) vs H.264,H.265,AV1 (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3090	RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU
Encoder	NVENC 7th gen	NVENC 8th Gen
Decoder	NVDEC 5th gen	NVDEC 5th Gen
Codecs	H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1	H.264,H.265,AV1

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3090 draws 350W versus the RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU's 115W — a 101.1% difference. The RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 750W (GeForce RTX 3090) vs 650W (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU). Power connectors: 2x 8-pin vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 312mm vs 105mm, occupying 3 vs 0 slots. Typical load temperature: 85°C vs 85.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3090	RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU
TDP	350W	115W-67%
Recommended PSU	750W	650W-13%
Power Connector	2x 8-pin	PCIe-powered
Length	312mm	105mm
Height	140mm	82mm
Slots	3	0-100%
Temp (Load)	85°C	85
Perf/Watt	76.0	219.7+189%

💰

Value Analysis

The newer card here is RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU (2023 vs 2020).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3090	RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU
MSRP	$1499	—
Codename	GA102	AD104
Release	September 1 2020	March 21 2023
Ranking	#37	#81

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