GeForce RTX 4060 vs GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 4060

2023Core: 1830 MHzBoost: 2460 MHz

Popular choices:

VS
NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU

2025Core: 2017 MHzBoost: 2407 MHz

Popular choices:

RTX 4060

Performance Spectrum - GPU

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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, raw graphics performance, VRAM, feature set, power efficiency, pricing context, and long-term value so you can see which GPU actually makes more sense.

GeForce RTX 4060

2023

Why buy it

  • Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 65.4 vs 0 G3D/$ ($299 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
  • Draws 115W instead of 575W, a 460W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU across 50 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 (96 vs 680), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.
  • Weaker long-term outlook: GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU is the safer future-proof pick thanks to newer hardware and better gaming feature support.

GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU

2025

Why buy it

  • 79.8% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • 608.3% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (680 vs 96).
  • 200% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (24 GB vs 8 GB).
  • More future proof: Blackwell 2.0 (2025−2026) on 5nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 65.4 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
  • 400% higher power demand at 575W vs 115W.

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU better than GeForce RTX 4060?
Yes. GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU is the better GPU overall here. You are getting 79.8% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data, 49.2% higher PassMark G3D performance, 680 vs 96 Tensor cores, and 24 GB vs 8 GB of VRAM. It also comes from 2025 instead of 2023, which helps its case as the more complete modern gaming card.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer 2025 generation instead of 2023, 49.2% more raw performance headroom, more VRAM at 24 GB instead of 8 GB, and better upscaling support with DLSS 4 Super Resolution (2025) instead of DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution (2023) and better frame-generation support with DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation (2025) instead of DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023). That leaves it with more room for heavier textures, tougher ray tracing loads, and higher-end 1440p or 4K gaming over the next few years.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper card?
GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU is priced in an unclear MSRP range at an unclear MSRP versus $299 MSRP, and you are getting 79.8% more estimated average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and 49.2% higher G3D Mark. GeForce RTX 4060 still holds the G3D-per-dollar lead, so the performance win comes with a real value premium. If you are comfortable paying the premium for the stronger gaming result, GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU is the one to buy. If staying closer to budget matters more, GeForce RTX 4060 still makes more sense on price alone and remains capable enough for modern gaming.
Is GeForce RTX 4060 still worth buying for gaming in 2026?
Yes. GeForce RTX 4060 is still a strong gaming GPU in 2026: it is very strong for 1080p, good for 1440p, and more limited at 4K. This mostly comes down to price. If you want to stay closer to $299 MSRP, it remains a strong choice; if you are comfortable paying more, GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU earns that extra money with a clearly stronger gaming result and a more complete overall package.

Games Benchmarks

Real-world benchmarks and performance projections based on comprehensive hardware analysis and comparative metrics. Values represent expected performance on High/Ultra settings at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K. Modeled using a Ryzen 7 9800X3D reference profile to minimize specific CPU bottlenecks.

Note: Performance behavior can vary per game. Specific architectures may perform better or worse depending on game engine optimizations and API implementation.

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

PresetGeForce RTX 4060GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU
1080p
low167 FPS276 FPS
medium152 FPS257 FPS
high134 FPS219 FPS
ultra115 FPS192 FPS
1440p
low137 FPS260 FPS
medium114 FPS217 FPS
high99 FPS172 FPS
ultra90 FPS155 FPS
4K
low86 FPS179 FPS
medium74 FPS149 FPS
high62 FPS112 FPS
ultra55 FPS100 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetGeForce RTX 4060GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU
1080p
low392 FPS872 FPS
medium334 FPS709 FPS
high268 FPS555 FPS
ultra211 FPS469 FPS
1440p
low240 FPS690 FPS
medium209 FPS585 FPS
high169 FPS476 FPS
ultra137 FPS376 FPS
4K
low119 FPS371 FPS
medium98 FPS316 FPS
high82 FPS291 FPS
ultra63 FPS254 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetGeForce RTX 4060GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU
1080p
low812 FPS944 FPS
medium642 FPS772 FPS
high551 FPS698 FPS
ultra440 FPS604 FPS
1440p
low535 FPS731 FPS
medium443 FPS598 FPS
high379 FPS529 FPS
ultra329 FPS452 FPS
4K
low365 FPS506 FPS
medium297 FPS419 FPS
high234 FPS377 FPS
ultra186 FPS316 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetGeForce RTX 4060GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU
1080p
low746 FPS999 FPS
medium613 FPS999 FPS
high536 FPS875 FPS
ultra440 FPS656 FPS
1440p
low594 FPS883 FPS
medium486 FPS775 FPS
high421 FPS656 FPS
ultra330 FPS492 FPS
4K
low358 FPS637 FPS
medium308 FPS525 FPS
high285 FPS437 FPS
ultra220 FPS328 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 4060 and GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU

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 5090 Laptop GPU

The GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 30 2025. It features the Blackwell 2.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 2017 MHz to 2407 MHz. It has 21760 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 575W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 170 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 29,163 points. Launch price was $2,299.

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 4060 scores 19,548 versus the GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU's 29,163 — the GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU leads by 49.2%. The GeForce RTX 4060 is built on Ada Lovelace while the GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU uses Blackwell 2.0, both on a 5 nm process. Shader units: 3,072 (GeForce RTX 4060) vs 21,760 (GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU). Raw compute: 15.11 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 4060) vs 104.8 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU). Boost clocks: 2460 MHz vs 2407 MHz. Ray tracing: 24 RT cores (GeForce RTX 4060) vs 170 (GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU) with 96 Tensor cores vs 680.

FeatureGeForce RTX 4060GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU
G3D Mark Score
19,548
29,163+49%
Architecture
Ada Lovelace
Blackwell 2.0
Process Node
5 nm
5 nm
Shading Units
3072
21760+608%
Compute (TFLOPS)
15.11 TFLOPS
104.8 TFLOPS+594%
Boost Clock
2460 MHz+2%
2407 MHz
ROPs
48
176+267%
TMUs
96
680+608%
L1 Cache
3 MB
21.3 MB+610%
L2 Cache
24 MB
96 MB+300%
Ray Tracing Cores
24
170+608%
Tensor Cores
96
680+608%

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Both cards support Frame Generation, but the GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU is on a newer tier with DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation, while the GeForce RTX 4060 tops out at DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation.The GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU supports the newer DLSS 4 Super Resolution, whereas the GeForce RTX 4060 is capped at DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution.

FeatureGeForce RTX 4060GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU
Upscaling Tech
DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution
DLSS 4 Super Resolution
Frame Generation
DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation
DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation+14%
Ray Reconstruction
Yes (DLSS 3.5)
Yes (DLSS 4)+14%
Low Latency
NVIDIA Reflex
NVIDIA Reflex
💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce RTX 4060 comes with 8 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU has 24 GB. The GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU offers 200% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 272 GB/s (GeForce RTX 4060) vs 896 GB/s (GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU) — a 229.4% advantage for the GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU. Bus width: 128-bit vs 256-bit. L2 Cache: 24 MB (GeForce RTX 4060) vs 96 MB (GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU) — the GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

FeatureGeForce RTX 4060GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU
VRAM Capacity
8 GB
24 GB+200%
Memory Type
GDDR6
GDDR7
Memory Bandwidth
272 GB/s
896 GB/s+229%
Bus Width
128-bit
256-bit+100%
L2 Cache
24 MB
96 MB+300%
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 4060) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.4. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

FeatureGeForce RTX 4060GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU
DirectX
12 Ultimate
12 Ultimate
Vulkan
1.3
1.4+8%
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 5090 Laptop GPU). Decoder: NVDEC 5th gen vs NVDEC (6th Gen). Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 (GeForce RTX 4060) vs AV1,H.264,H.265,VP9 (GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU).

FeatureGeForce RTX 4060GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU
Encoder
NVENC 8th gen
NVENC (9th Gen)
Decoder
NVDEC 5th gen
NVDEC (6th Gen)
Codecs
H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1
AV1,H.264,H.265,VP9
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 4060 draws 115W versus the GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU's 575W — a 133.3% difference. The GeForce RTX 4060 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 4060) vs 650W (GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU). Power connectors: 8-pin vs PCIe-powered.

FeatureGeForce RTX 4060GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU
TDP
115W-80%
575W
Recommended PSU
550W-15%
650W
Power Connector
8-pin
PCIe-powered
Length
240mm
Height
111mm
Slots
2
Temp (Load)
73°C
Perf/Watt
170.0+235%
50.7
💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU is the newer GPU (2025 vs 2023).

FeatureGeForce RTX 4060GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU
MSRP
$299
Codename
AD107
GB202
Release
May 18 2023
January 30 2025
Ranking
#84
#1