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 4090

2022

Why buy it

✅0.8% more average FPS across 34 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Delivers 24% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 23.8 vs 19.2 G3D/$ ($1,599 MSRP vs $1,599 MSRP).
✅12.3% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (512 vs 456).

Trade-offs

❌Fewer clear downsides in this head-to-head, aside from the usual pricing and availability swings.

GeForce RTX 4090 D

2023

Why buy it

✅More future proof: Ada Lovelace (2022−2024) on 5nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 4090 across 34 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (456 vs 512), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 19.2 vs 23.8 G3D/$ ($1,599 MSRP vs $1,599 MSRP).

GeForce RTX 4090

2022

GeForce RTX 4090 D

2023

Why buy it

✅0.8% more average FPS across 34 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Delivers 24% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 23.8 vs 19.2 G3D/$ ($1,599 MSRP vs $1,599 MSRP).
✅12.3% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (512 vs 456).

Why buy it

✅More future proof: Ada Lovelace (2022−2024) on 5nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer clear downsides in this head-to-head, aside from the usual pricing and availability swings.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 4090 across 34 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (456 vs 512), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 19.2 vs 23.8 G3D/$ ($1,599 MSRP vs $1,599 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 4090 better than GeForce RTX 4090 D?

Yes. GeForce RTX 4090 is the better GPU overall here. You are getting 0.8% more average FPS across 34 tracked games in our benchmark data, 24% higher PassMark G3D performance, and 512 vs 456 Tensor cores. It also comes from 2022 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 4090 D is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer 2023 generation instead of 2022. That makes it the safer long-run choice for modern games.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper card?

GeForce RTX 4090 is the smarter buy today, but it is not as lopsided as a simple winner label makes it sound. GeForce RTX 4090 is in basically the same MSRP band at $1,599 MSRP versus $1,599 MSRP, and you are getting 0.8% more estimated average FPS across 34 tracked games in our benchmark data and 24.0% higher G3D Mark. It also leads G3D-per-dollar by 24%. GeForce RTX 4090 D is the newer 2023 card, so it still has a real case if you care more about newer architecture and future-proofing than about squeezing out the strongest gaming value today.

When does GeForce RTX 4090 D make more sense than GeForce RTX 4090?

Yes. GeForce RTX 4090 D is still an excellent gaming GPU in 2026: it is excellent for 1080p and 1440p maxed-out gaming, and still very capable for 4K in many titles. It makes more sense if your priority is newer architecture, future-proofing, and staying closer to $1,599 MSRP more than squeezing out the extra headroom of GeForce RTX 4090. The trade-off is that GeForce RTX 4090 currently gives you 24.0% higher G3D Mark and 0.8% more estimated average FPS across 34 tracked games in our benchmark data. It also leads G3D-per-dollar by 24%.

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.

GeForce RTX 4090 Benchmark Check

GeForce RTX 4090 D Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 4090	GeForce RTX 4090 D
1080p
low	283 FPS	284 FPS
medium	262 FPS	263 FPS
high	224 FPS	225 FPS
ultra	196 FPS	197 FPS
1440p
low	261 FPS	262 FPS
medium	217 FPS	217 FPS
high	173 FPS	173 FPS
ultra	156 FPS	156 FPS
4K
low	180 FPS	180 FPS
medium	149 FPS	150 FPS
high	114 FPS	114 FPS
ultra	102 FPS	102 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 4090 Open GeForce RTX 4090 D

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 4090	GeForce RTX 4090 D
1080p
low	910 FPS	841 FPS
medium	726 FPS	657 FPS
high	567 FPS	516 FPS
ultra	478 FPS	449 FPS
1440p
low	728 FPS	673 FPS
medium	607 FPS	548 FPS
high	494 FPS	443 FPS
ultra	397 FPS	364 FPS
4K
low	396 FPS	375 FPS
medium	335 FPS	314 FPS
high	309 FPS	286 FPS
ultra	265 FPS	240 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 4090 Open GeForce RTX 4090 D

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce RTX 4090	GeForce RTX 4090 D
1080p
low	944 FPS	944 FPS
medium	772 FPS	772 FPS
high	699 FPS	699 FPS
ultra	604 FPS	604 FPS
1440p
low	731 FPS	731 FPS
medium	598 FPS	598 FPS
high	529 FPS	529 FPS
ultra	452 FPS	452 FPS
4K
low	506 FPS	506 FPS
medium	419 FPS	419 FPS
high	377 FPS	377 FPS
ultra	317 FPS	317 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 4090 Open GeForce RTX 4090 D

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce RTX 4090	GeForce RTX 4090 D
1080p
low	999 FPS	999 FPS
medium	971 FPS	971 FPS
high	855 FPS	855 FPS
ultra	764 FPS	691 FPS
1440p
low	830 FPS	830 FPS
medium	728 FPS	728 FPS
high	641 FPS	641 FPS
ultra	561 FPS	518 FPS
4K
low	606 FPS	606 FPS
medium	538 FPS	538 FPS
high	480 FPS	461 FPS
ultra	420 FPS	346 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 4090 Open GeForce RTX 4090 D

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 4090 and GeForce RTX 4090 D

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 4090 D

The GeForce RTX 4090 D 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: 30,725 points. Launch price was $1,599.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 4090 scores 38,112 versus the GeForce RTX 4090 D's 30,725 — the GeForce RTX 4090 leads by 24%. The GeForce RTX 4090 is built on Ada Lovelace while the GeForce RTX 4090 D uses Ada Lovelace, both on a 5 nm process. Shader units: 16,384 (GeForce RTX 4090) vs 14,592 (GeForce RTX 4090 D). Raw compute: 82.58 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 4090) vs 73.54 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 4090 D). Boost clocks: 2520 MHz vs 2520 MHz. Ray tracing: 128 RT cores (GeForce RTX 4090) vs 114 (GeForce RTX 4090 D) with 512 Tensor cores vs 456.

Feature	GeForce RTX 4090	GeForce RTX 4090 D
G3D Mark Score	38,112+24%	30,725
Architecture	Ada Lovelace	Ada Lovelace
Process Node	5 nm	5 nm
Shading Units	16384+12%	14592
Compute (TFLOPS)	82.58 TFLOPS+12%	73.54 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	2520 MHz	2520 MHz
ROPs	176	176
TMUs	512+12%	456
L1 Cache	16 MB+12%	14.3 MB
L2 Cache	72 MB	72 MB
Ray Tracing Cores	128+12%	114
Tensor Cores	512+12%	456

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Both cards support modern Frame Generation technology, allowing them to insert intermediate frames to smooth motion and boost perceived FPS in supported games.

Feature	GeForce RTX 4090	GeForce RTX 4090 D
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)

Both cards feature 24 GB of GDDR6X. Bus width: 384-bit vs 384-bit.

Feature	GeForce RTX 4090	GeForce RTX 4090 D
VRAM Capacity	24 GB	24 GB
Memory Type	GDDR6X	GDDR6X
Memory Bandwidth	1008 GB/s	1008 GB/s
Bus Width	384-bit	384-bit
L2 Cache	72 MB	72 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

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

Feature	GeForce RTX 4090	GeForce RTX 4090 D
DirectX	12.2+2%	12 Ultimate
Vulkan	1.3	1.4+8%
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

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

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

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 4090 draws 450W versus the GeForce RTX 4090 D's 425W — a 5.7% difference. The GeForce RTX 4090 D is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 1000W (GeForce RTX 4090) vs 850W (GeForce RTX 4090 D). Power connectors: 16-pin (12VHPWR) vs 16-pin. Card length: 304mm vs 304mm, occupying 3 vs 3 slots. Typical load temperature: 80°C vs 78°C.

Feature	GeForce RTX 4090	GeForce RTX 4090 D
TDP	450W	425W-6%
Recommended PSU	1000W	850W-15%
Power Connector	16-pin (12VHPWR)	16-pin
Length	304mm	304mm
Height	137mm	137mm
Slots	3	3
Temp (Load)	80°C	78°C-3%
Perf/Watt	84.7+17%	72.3

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 4090 launched at $1599 MSRP, while the GeForce RTX 4090 D launched at $1599. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 23.8 (GeForce RTX 4090) vs 19.2 (GeForce RTX 4090 D) — the GeForce RTX 4090 offers 24% better value. The GeForce RTX 4090 D is the newer GPU (2023 vs 2022).