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 4080 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 4080 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 4080

2022

Why buy it

✅Costs $400 less on MSRP ($1,199 MSRP vs $1,599 MSRP).
✅Delivers 20.5% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 28.7 vs 23.8 G3D/$ ($1,199 MSRP vs $1,599 MSRP).
✅Draws 320W instead of 450W, a 130W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 4090 across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 16 GB vs 24 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (304 vs 512), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.

GeForce RTX 4090

2022

Why buy it

✅10.6% more average FPS across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅68.4% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (512 vs 304).
✅50% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (24 GB vs 16 GB).

Trade-offs

❌
33.4% HIGHER MSRP
$1,599 MSRPvs$1,199 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 23.8 vs 28.7 G3D/$ ($1,599 MSRP vs $1,199 MSRP).
❌40.6% higher power demand at 450W vs 320W.

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 10.6% in average FPS across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 10.6% in PassMark G3D (38,112 vs 34,445), so the answer here is pretty clean.

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

GeForce RTX 4080 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond because it comes out ahead on the available hardware-headroom signals for this matchup.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

GeForce RTX 4080 makes the most sense to buy today. It is $400 cheaper on MSRP at $1,199 vs $1,599, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 20.5% (28.7 vs 23.8), which is enough to swing the recommendation its way. GeForce RTX 4090 still makes more sense if max raw gaming performance matters more than value.

GeForce RTX 4080 vs GeForce RTX 4090 Technical Specifications

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

GeForce RTX 4080

The GeForce RTX 4080 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in September 20 2022. It features the Ada Lovelace architecture. The core clock ranges from 2205 MHz to 2505 MHz. It has 9728 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 320W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 76 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 34,445 points. Launch price was $1,199.

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 4080 scores 34,445 versus the GeForce RTX 4090's 38,112 — the GeForce RTX 4090 leads by 10.6%. The GeForce RTX 4080 is built on Ada Lovelace while the GeForce RTX 4090 uses Ada Lovelace, both on a 5 nm process. Shader units: 9,728 (GeForce RTX 4080) vs 16,384 (GeForce RTX 4090). Raw compute: 48.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 4080) vs 82.58 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 4090). Boost clocks: 2505 MHz vs 2520 MHz. Ray tracing: 76 RT cores (GeForce RTX 4080) vs 128 (GeForce RTX 4090) with 304 Tensor cores vs 512.

Feature	GeForce RTX 4080	GeForce RTX 4090
G3D Mark Score	34,445	38,112+11%
Architecture	Ada Lovelace	Ada Lovelace
Process Node	5 nm	5 nm
Shading Units	9728	16384+68%
Compute (TFLOPS)	48.74 TFLOPS	82.58 TFLOPS+69%
Boost Clock	2505 MHz	2520 MHz
ROPs	112	176+57%
TMUs	304	512+68%
L1 Cache	9.5 MB	16 MB+68%
L2 Cache	64 MB	72 MB+13%
Ray Tracing Cores	76	128+68%
Tensor Cores	304	512+68%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

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

Feature	GeForce RTX 4080	GeForce 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 4080 has 16 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 4090 carries 24 GB. GeForce RTX 4090 gives you 50% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bandwidth: 736 GB/s (GeForce RTX 4080) vs 1008 GB/s (GeForce RTX 4090) — a 37% advantage for the GeForce RTX 4090. Memory bus width is 256-bit on the GeForce RTX 4080 and 384-bit on the GeForce RTX 4090. L2 Cache: 64 MB (GeForce RTX 4080) vs 72 MB (GeForce RTX 4090) — the GeForce RTX 4090 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 4080	GeForce RTX 4090
VRAM Capacity	16 GB	24 GB+50%
Memory Type	GDDR6X	GDDR6X
Memory Bandwidth	736 GB/s	1008 GB/s+37%
Bus Width	256-bit	384-bit+50%
L2 Cache	64 MB	72 MB+13%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 4080) vs 12.2 (GeForce RTX 4090). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce RTX 4080	GeForce RTX 4090
DirectX	12 Ultimate	12.2+2%
Vulkan	1.3	1.3
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 8th gen (GeForce RTX 4080) vs 8th Gen NVENC (2x) (GeForce RTX 4090). Decoder: NVDEC 5th gen vs 5th Gen NVDEC. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 (GeForce RTX 4080) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (GeForce RTX 4090).

Feature	GeForce RTX 4080	GeForce RTX 4090
Encoder	NVENC 8th gen	8th Gen NVENC (2x)
Decoder	NVDEC 5th gen	5th Gen NVDEC
Codecs	H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 4080 draws 320W versus the GeForce RTX 4090's 450W — a 33.8% difference. The GeForce RTX 4080 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 750W (GeForce RTX 4080) vs 1000W (GeForce RTX 4090). Power connectors: 16-pin vs 16-pin (12VHPWR). Card length: 310mm vs 304mm, occupying 3 vs 3 slots. Typical load temperature: 70°C vs 80°C.

Feature	GeForce RTX 4080	GeForce RTX 4090
TDP	320W-29%	450W
Recommended PSU	750W-25%	1000W
Power Connector	16-pin	16-pin (12VHPWR)
Length	310mm	304mm
Height	140mm	137mm
Slots	3	3
Temp (Load)	70°C-13%	80°C
Perf/Watt	107.6+27%	84.7

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce RTX 4080 came in at $1199, while the GeForce RTX 4090 launched at $1599. On MSRP, GeForce RTX 4080 was 25% cheaper ($400 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 28.7 (GeForce RTX 4080) vs 23.8 (GeForce RTX 4090) — the GeForce RTX 4080 offers 20.6% better value.

Feature	GeForce RTX 4080	GeForce RTX 4090
MSRP	$1199-25%	$1599
Performance per Dollar	28.7+21%	23.8
Codename	AD103	AD102
Release	September 20 2022	September 20 2022
Ranking	#7	#4

Search GeForce RTX 4080 on Amazon

Search GeForce RTX 4090 on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.