GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU vs GeForce RTX 4090

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU

2023Core: 2310 MHzBoost: 2535 MHz
VS
NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 4090

2022Core: 2235 MHzBoost: 2520 MHz

GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU vs GeForce RTX 4090 Performance Spectrum

About G3D Mark

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 4060 Laptop GPU vs GeForce RTX 4090 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 4060 Laptop GPU vs GeForce RTX 4090: 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 4060 Laptop GPU

2023

Why buy it

  • Draws 160W instead of 450W, a 290W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 4090 across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Less VRAM, with 8 GB vs 24 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (136 vs 512), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 23.8 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $1,599 MSRP).

GeForce RTX 4090

2022

Why buy it

  • 58.1% more average FPS across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 23.8 vs 0 G3D/$ ($1,599 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
  • 276.5% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (512 vs 136).
  • 200% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (24 GB vs 8 GB).

Trade-offs

  • 181.3% higher power demand at 450W vs 160W.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?
GeForce RTX 4090 is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 58.1% in average FPS across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 119% in PassMark G3D (38,112 vs 17,400), so the answer here is pretty clean.
Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?
GeForce RTX 4090 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 24 GB vs 8 GB of VRAM and 128 vs 34 ray-tracing units. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.
Which GPU is the better buy today?
GeForce RTX 4090 makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup.

GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU vs GeForce RTX 4090 Technical Specifications

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

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU

The GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 18 2023. It features the Ada Lovelace architecture. The core clock ranges from 2310 MHz to 2535 MHz. It has 4352 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 160W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 34 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 17,400 points. Launch price was $399.

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 4090

The GeForce RTX 4090 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in September 20 2022. It features the Ada Lovelace architecture. The core clock ranges from 2235 MHz to 2520 MHz. It has 16384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 450W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 128 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 38,112 points. Launch price was $1,599.

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU scores 17,400 versus the GeForce RTX 4090's 38,112 — the GeForce RTX 4090 leads by 119%. The GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU is built on Ada Lovelace while the GeForce RTX 4090 uses Ada Lovelace, both on a 5 nm process. Shader units: 4,352 (GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU) vs 16,384 (GeForce RTX 4090). Raw compute: 22.06 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU) vs 82.58 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 4090). Boost clocks: 2535 MHz vs 2520 MHz. Ray tracing: 34 RT cores (GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU) vs 128 (GeForce RTX 4090) with 136 Tensor cores vs 512.

FeatureGeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPUGeForce RTX 4090
G3D Mark Score
17,400
38,112+119%
Architecture
Ada Lovelace
Ada Lovelace
Process Node
5 nm
5 nm
Shading Units
4352
16384+276%
Compute (TFLOPS)
22.06 TFLOPS
82.58 TFLOPS+274%
Boost Clock
2535 MHz
2520 MHz
ROPs
48
176+267%
TMUs
136
512+276%
L1 Cache
4.3 MB
16 MB+272%
L2 Cache
32 MB
72 MB+125%
Ray Tracing Cores
34
128+276%
Tensor Cores
136
512+276%

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Both cards support Frame Generation in supported games, so this part of the feature set is broadly comparable.

FeatureGeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPUGeForce RTX 4090
Upscaling Tech
DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution
DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution
Frame Generation
DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation
DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation
Ray Reconstruction
Yes (DLSS 3.5)
Yes (DLSS 3.5)
Low Latency
NVIDIA Reflex
NVIDIA Reflex
💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU has 8 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 4090 carries 24 GB. GeForce RTX 4090 gives you 200% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bandwidth: 256 GB/s (GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU) vs 1008 GB/s (GeForce RTX 4090) — a 293.8% advantage for the GeForce RTX 4090. Memory bus width is 128-bit on the GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU and 384-bit on the GeForce RTX 4090. L2 Cache: 32 MB (GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU) vs 72 MB (GeForce RTX 4090) — the GeForce RTX 4090 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

FeatureGeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPUGeForce RTX 4090
VRAM Capacity
8 GB
24 GB+200%
Memory Type
GDDR6
GDDR6X
Memory Bandwidth
256 GB/s
1008 GB/s+294%
Bus Width
128-bit
384-bit+200%
L2 Cache
32 MB
72 MB+125%
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU) vs 12.2 (GeForce RTX 4090). Vulkan: 1.4 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

FeatureGeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPUGeForce RTX 4090
DirectX
12 Ultimate
12.2+2%
Vulkan
1.4+8%
1.3
OpenGL
4.6
4.6
Max Displays
4
4
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (8th Gen) (GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU) vs 8th Gen NVENC (2x) (GeForce RTX 4090). Decoder: NVDEC (5th Gen) vs 5th Gen NVDEC. Supported codecs: H.264,HEVC,AV1,VP9 (GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (GeForce RTX 4090).

FeatureGeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPUGeForce RTX 4090
Encoder
NVENC (8th Gen)
8th Gen NVENC (2x)
Decoder
NVDEC (5th Gen)
5th Gen NVDEC
Codecs
H.264,HEVC,AV1,VP9
MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU draws 160W versus the GeForce RTX 4090's 450W — a 95.1% difference. The GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 650W (GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU) vs 1000W (GeForce RTX 4090). Power connectors: Mobile vs 16-pin (12VHPWR). Typical load temperature: 80°C vs 80°C.

FeatureGeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPUGeForce RTX 4090
TDP
160W-64%
450W
Recommended PSU
650W-35%
1000W
Power Connector
Mobile
16-pin (12VHPWR)
Length
304mm
Height
137mm
Slots
0-100%
3
Temp (Load)
80°C
80°C
Perf/Watt
108.8+28%
84.7
💰

Value Analysis

The newer card here is GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU (2023 vs 2022).

FeatureGeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPUGeForce RTX 4090
MSRP
$1599
Codename
AD106
AD102
Release
May 18 2023
September 20 2022
Ranking
#59
#4

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