GeForce RTX 4090 vs GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
GeForce RTX 4090
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GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
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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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (G3D Mark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar GeForce RTX 4090
Performance Per Dollar GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce RTX 4090 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 87.6% higher G3D Mark score and 200% more VRAM (24 GB vs 8 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 4090 | GeForce RTX 3060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+87.6%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-87.6%) |
| Longevity | 🏆Elite Architecture (Ada Lovelace (2022−2024) / 5nm) | 🔮Strong Longevity (Ampere (2020−2025) / 8nm) |
| Ecosystem | ✨ DLSS 3/4 + Frame Gen Support | ✨ DLSS 2 Upscaling |
| VRAM | 🎮 High Capacity (24 GB) | 🎮 High Capacity (8 GB) |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | Standard Size (304mm) | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $280 versus $1,649 for the GeForce RTX 4090, it costs 83% less. While it maintains lower overall performance, this results in a 213.9% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 4090 | GeForce RTX 3060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+213.9%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($1,649) | ✅More affordable ($280) |
Performance Check
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 7800X3D 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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 4090 and GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
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.
GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in December 1 2020. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1410 MHz to 1665 MHz. It has 4864 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 200W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 38 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 20,312 points. Launch price was $399.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 4090 scores 38,112 versus the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti's 20,312 — the GeForce RTX 4090 leads by 87.6%. The GeForce RTX 4090 is built on Ada Lovelace while the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti uses Ampere, both on 5 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 16,384 (GeForce RTX 4090) vs 4,864 (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti). Raw compute: 82.58 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 4090) vs 16.2 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti). Boost clocks: 2520 MHz vs 1665 MHz. Ray tracing: 128 RT cores (GeForce RTX 4090) vs 38 (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti) with 512 Tensor cores vs 152.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 4090 | GeForce RTX 3060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 38,112+88% | 20,312 |
| Architecture | Ada Lovelace | Ampere |
| Process Node | 5 nm | 8 nm |
| Shading Units | 16384+237% | 4864 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 82.58 TFLOPS+410% | 16.2 TFLOPS |
| Boost Clock | 2520 MHz+51% | 1665 MHz |
| ROPs | 176+120% | 80 |
| TMUs | 512+237% | 152 |
| L1 Cache | 16 MB+233% | 4.8 MB |
| L2 Cache | 72 MB+1700% | 4 MB |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 128+237% | 38 |
| Tensor Cores | 512+237% | 152 |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
A critical advantage for the GeForce RTX 4090 is support for DLSS 3 Frame Gen. This allows it to generate entire frames using AI/Algorithms, essentially doubling the frame rate in CPU-bound scenarios or heavy ray-tracing titles. The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti lacks specific hardware/driver support for this native frame generation tier.The GeForce RTX 4090 supports the newer DLSS 3.5 (including Frame Gen/Ray Reconstruction), whereas the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is capped at DLSS 2.0.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 4090 | GeForce RTX 3060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | DLSS 3.5 | DLSS 2.0 |
| Frame Generation | DLSS 3.0 (Native) | FSR 3 / AFMF (Compatible) |
| Ray Reconstruction | Yes (DLSS 3.5) | No |
| Low Latency | NVIDIA Reflex | NVIDIA Reflex |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The GeForce RTX 4090 comes with 24 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti has 8 GB. The GeForce RTX 4090 offers 200% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 1008 GB/s (GeForce RTX 4090) vs 448 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti) — a 125% advantage for the GeForce RTX 4090. Bus width: 384-bit vs 256-bit. L2 Cache: 72 MB (GeForce RTX 4090) vs 4 MB (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti) — the GeForce RTX 4090 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 4090 | GeForce RTX 3060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 24 GB+200% | 8 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6X | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 1008 GB/s+125% | 448 GB/s |
| Bus Width | 384-bit+50% | 256-bit |
| L2 Cache | 72 MB+1700% | 4 MB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12.2 (GeForce RTX 4090) vs 12 Ultimate (12_2) (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 4090 | GeForce RTX 3060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12.2+2% | 12 Ultimate (12_2) |
| Vulkan | 1.3 | 1.3 |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 4 | 4 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: 8th Gen NVENC (2x) (GeForce RTX 4090) vs NVENC (Ampere) (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti). Decoder: 5th Gen NVDEC vs NVDEC (Ampere). Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (GeForce RTX 4090) vs H.264,H.265,VP9,AV1 (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 4090 | GeForce RTX 3060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | 8th Gen NVENC (2x) | NVENC (Ampere) |
| Decoder | 5th Gen NVDEC | NVDEC (Ampere) |
| Codecs | MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 | H.264,H.265,VP9,AV1 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce RTX 4090 draws 450W versus the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti's 200W — a 76.9% difference. The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 1000W (GeForce RTX 4090) vs 600W (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti). Power connectors: 16-pin (12VHPWR) vs 8-pin. Card length: 304mm vs 242mm, occupying 3 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 80°C vs 75.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 4090 | GeForce RTX 3060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 450W | 200W-56% |
| Recommended PSU | 1000W | 600W-40% |
| Power Connector | 16-pin (12VHPWR) | 8-pin |
| Length | 304mm | 242mm |
| Height | 137mm | 112mm |
| Slots | 3 | 2-33% |
| Temp (Load) | 80°C | 75-6% |
| Perf/Watt | 84.7 | 101.6+20% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce RTX 4090 launched at $1599 MSRP and currently averages $1649, while the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti launched at $399 and now averages $280. The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti costs 83% less ($1369 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 23.1 (GeForce RTX 4090) vs 72.5 (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti) — the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti offers 213.9% better value. The GeForce RTX 4090 is the newer GPU (2022 vs 2020).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 4090 | GeForce RTX 3060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $1599 | $399-75% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $1649 | $280-83% |
| Performance per Dollar | 23.1 | 72.5+214% |
| Codename | AD102 | GA104 |
| Release | September 20 2022 | December 1 2020 |
| Ranking | #4 | #73 |
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