GeForce RTX 4060 vs GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 4060

2023Core: 1830 MHzBoost: 2460 MHz
RTX family
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VS
NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU

2023Core: 2280 MHzBoost: 2520 MHz
RTX family
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GeForce RTX 4060 vs GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU 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 vs GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop 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 4060 vs GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop 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 4060

2023

Why buy it

  • Costs $1,511 less on MSRP ($299 MSRP vs $1,810 MSRP).
  • Delivers 336.6% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 65.4 vs 15.0 G3D/$ ($299 MSRP vs $1,810 MSRP).
  • Draws 115W instead of 425W, a 310W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Less VRAM, with 8 GB vs 16 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (96 vs 456), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.

GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU

2023

Why buy it

  • 74.0% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • 375% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (456 vs 96).
  • 100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (16 GB vs 8 GB).

Trade-offs

  • 505.4% HIGHER MSRP
    $1,810 MSRPvs$299 MSRP
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 15.0 vs 65.4 G3D/$ ($1,810 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
  • 269.6% higher power demand at 425W vs 115W.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?
GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 74.0% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 38.6% in PassMark G3D (27,102 vs 19,548), so the answer here is pretty clean.
Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?
GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 16 GB vs 8 GB of VRAM and 114 vs 24 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 4060 makes the most sense to buy today. It is $1,511 cheaper on MSRP at $299 vs $1,810, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 336.6% (65.4 vs 15.0), which is enough to swing the recommendation its way. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and lighter 1440p, GeForce RTX 4060 is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and strong 1440p headroom, GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce RTX 4060 vs GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU Technical Specifications

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

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 4060

The GeForce RTX 4060 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 18 2023. It features the Ada Lovelace architecture. The core clock ranges from 1830 MHz to 2460 MHz. It has 3072 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 115W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 24 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 19,548 points. Launch price was $299.

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU

The GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in December 28 2023. It features the Ada Lovelace architecture. The core clock ranges from 2280 MHz to 2520 MHz. It has 14592 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 425W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 114 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 27,102 points. Launch price was $1,599.

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 4060 scores 19,548 versus the GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU's 27,102 — the GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU leads by 38.6%. The GeForce RTX 4060 is built on Ada Lovelace while the GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU uses Ada Lovelace, both on a 5 nm process. Shader units: 3,072 (GeForce RTX 4060) vs 14,592 (GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU). Raw compute: 15.11 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 4060) vs 73.54 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU). Boost clocks: 2460 MHz vs 2520 MHz. Ray tracing: 24 RT cores (GeForce RTX 4060) vs 114 (GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU) with 96 Tensor cores vs 456.

FeatureGeForce RTX 4060GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU
G3D Mark Score
19,548
27,102+39%
Architecture
Ada Lovelace
Ada Lovelace
Process Node
5 nm
5 nm
Shading Units
3072
14592+375%
Compute (TFLOPS)
15.11 TFLOPS
73.54 TFLOPS+387%
Boost Clock
2460 MHz
2520 MHz+2%
ROPs
48
176+267%
TMUs
96
456+375%
L1 Cache
3 MB
14.3 MB+377%
L2 Cache
24 MB
72 MB+200%
Ray Tracing Cores
24
114+375%
Tensor Cores
96
456+375%

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

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

FeatureGeForce RTX 4060GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU
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 has 8 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU carries 16 GB. GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU gives you 100% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bandwidth: 272 GB/s (GeForce RTX 4060) vs 576 GB/s (GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU) — a 111.8% advantage for the GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU. Memory bus width is 128-bit on the GeForce RTX 4060 and 256-bit on the GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU. L2 Cache: 24 MB (GeForce RTX 4060) vs 72 MB (GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU) — the GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

FeatureGeForce RTX 4060GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU
VRAM Capacity
8 GB
16 GB+100%
Memory Type
GDDR6
GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth
272 GB/s
576 GB/s+112%
Bus Width
128-bit
256-bit+100%
L2 Cache
24 MB
72 MB+200%
🖥️

Display & API Support

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

FeatureGeForce RTX 4060GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU
DirectX
12 Ultimate
12 Ultimate
Vulkan
1.3
1.3
OpenGL
4.6
4.6
Max Displays
4
4
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 8th gen (GeForce RTX 4060) vs NVENC (9th Gen) (GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU). Decoder: NVDEC 5th gen vs NVDEC (6th Gen). Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 (GeForce RTX 4060) vs H.264,H.265,VP9,AV1 (GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU).

FeatureGeForce RTX 4060GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU
Encoder
NVENC 8th gen
NVENC (9th Gen)
Decoder
NVDEC 5th gen
NVDEC (6th Gen)
Codecs
H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1
H.264,H.265,VP9,AV1
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 4060 draws 115W versus the GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU's 425W — a 114.8% difference. The GeForce RTX 4060 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 4060) vs 650W (GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU). Power connectors: 8-pin vs Mobile. Card length: 240mm vs 0mm, occupying 2 vs 0 slots. Typical load temperature: 73°C vs 80.

FeatureGeForce RTX 4060GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU
TDP
115W-73%
425W
Recommended PSU
550W-15%
650W
Power Connector
8-pin
Mobile
Length
240mm
0mm
Height
111mm
0mm
Slots
2
0-100%
Temp (Load)
73°C-9%
80
Perf/Watt
170.0+166%
63.8
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce RTX 4060 came in at $299, while the GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU launched at $1810. On MSRP, GeForce RTX 4060 was 83.5% cheaper ($1511 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 65.4 (GeForce RTX 4060) vs 15.0 (GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU) — the GeForce RTX 4060 offers 336% better value.

FeatureGeForce RTX 4060GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU
MSRP
$299-83%
$1810
Performance per Dollar
65.4+336%
15.0
Codename
AD107
AD102
Release
May 18 2023
December 28 2023
Ranking
#84
#14

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