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 4090 vs GeForce RTX 5080 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 4090 vs GeForce RTX 5080: 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 4090

2022

Why buy it

✅4.7% more average FPS across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅52.4% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (512 vs 336).
✅50% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (24 GB vs 16 GB).

Trade-offs

❌GeForce RTX 5080 is the safer long-term pick here because the hardware is newer and the feature stack is stronger.
❌
60.1% HIGHER MSRP
$1,599 MSRPvs$999 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 23.8 vs 36.0 G3D/$ ($1,599 MSRP vs $999 MSRP).
❌25% higher power demand at 450W vs 360W.

GeForce RTX 5080

2025

Why buy it

✅Costs $600 less on MSRP ($999 MSRP vs $1,599 MSRP).
✅Delivers 50.9% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 36.0 vs 23.8 G3D/$ ($999 MSRP vs $1,599 MSRP).
✅Better long-term bet: Blackwell 2.0 (2025−2026) on 5nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.
✅Draws 360W instead of 450W, a 90W 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 (336 vs 512), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.

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 4.7% in average FPS across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 6.1% in PassMark G3D (38,112 vs 35,924), so the answer here is pretty clean.

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

GeForce RTX 5080 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: the newer feature stack, with DLSS 4 Super Resolution (2025) and DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation (2025) instead of DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution (2023) and DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023) and a newer 2025 generation instead of 2022. That makes it the less risky pick as game demands keep moving.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

GeForce RTX 5080 makes the most sense to buy today. It is $600 cheaper on MSRP at $999 vs $1,599, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 50.9% (36.0 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 4090 vs GeForce RTX 5080 Technical Specifications

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

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 5080

The GeForce RTX 5080 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 30 2025. It features the Blackwell 2.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 2295 MHz to 2617 MHz. It has 10752 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 360W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 84 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 35,924 points. Launch price was $999.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 4090 scores 38,112 versus the GeForce RTX 5080's 35,924 — the GeForce RTX 4090 leads by 6.1%. The GeForce RTX 4090 is built on Ada Lovelace while the GeForce RTX 5080 uses Blackwell 2.0, both on a 5 nm process. Shader units: 16,384 (GeForce RTX 4090) vs 10,752 (GeForce RTX 5080). Raw compute: 82.58 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 4090) vs 56.28 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 5080). Boost clocks: 2520 MHz vs 2617 MHz. Ray tracing: 128 RT cores (GeForce RTX 4090) vs 84 (GeForce RTX 5080) with 512 Tensor cores vs 336.

Feature	GeForce RTX 4090	GeForce RTX 5080
G3D Mark Score	38,112+6%	35,924
Architecture	Ada Lovelace	Blackwell 2.0
Process Node	5 nm	5 nm
Shading Units	16384+52%	10752
Compute (TFLOPS)	82.58 TFLOPS+47%	56.28 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	2520 MHz	2617 MHz+4%
ROPs	176+57%	112
TMUs	512+52%	336
L1 Cache	16 MB+52%	10.5 MB
L2 Cache	72 MB+13%	64 MB
Ray Tracing Cores	128+52%	84
Tensor Cores	512+52%	336

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Both cards support Frame Generation, but the GeForce RTX 5080 is on the newer stack with DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation, while the GeForce RTX 4090 stays on DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation.The GeForce RTX 5080 supports the newer DLSS 4 Super Resolution, whereas the GeForce RTX 4090 is capped at DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution.

Feature	GeForce RTX 4090	GeForce RTX 5080
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 4090 has 24 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 5080 carries 16 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: 1008 GB/s (GeForce RTX 4090) vs 1024 GB/s (GeForce RTX 5080) — a 1.6% advantage for the GeForce RTX 5080. Memory bus width is 384-bit on the GeForce RTX 4090 and 256-bit on the GeForce RTX 5080. L2 Cache: 72 MB (GeForce RTX 4090) vs 64 MB (GeForce RTX 5080) — the GeForce RTX 4090 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 4090	GeForce RTX 5080
VRAM Capacity	24 GB+50%	16 GB
Memory Type	GDDR6X	GDDR7
Memory Bandwidth	1008 GB/s	1024 GB/s+2%
Bus Width	384-bit+50%	256-bit
L2 Cache	72 MB+13%	64 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12.2 (GeForce RTX 4090) vs 12.2 (GeForce RTX 5080). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.4. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce RTX 4090	GeForce RTX 5080
DirectX	12.2	12.2
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 9th Gen NVENC (2x) (GeForce RTX 5080). Decoder: 5th Gen NVDEC vs 6th Gen NVDEC. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (GeForce RTX 4090) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (GeForce RTX 5080).

Feature	GeForce RTX 4090	GeForce RTX 5080
Encoder	8th Gen NVENC (2x)	9th Gen NVENC (2x)
Decoder	5th Gen NVDEC	6th Gen NVDEC
Codecs	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 4090 draws 450W versus the GeForce RTX 5080's 360W — a 22.2% difference. The GeForce RTX 5080 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 1000W (GeForce RTX 4090) vs 850W (GeForce RTX 5080). Power connectors: 16-pin (12VHPWR) vs 16-pin (12VHPWR). Card length: 304mm vs 304mm, occupying 3 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 80°C vs 80°C.

Feature	GeForce RTX 4090	GeForce RTX 5080
TDP	450W	360W-20%
Recommended PSU	1000W	850W-15%
Power Connector	16-pin (12VHPWR)	16-pin (12VHPWR)
Length	304mm	304mm
Height	137mm	137mm
Slots	3	2-33%
Temp (Load)	80°C	80°C
Perf/Watt	84.7	99.8+18%

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce RTX 4090 came in at $1599, while the GeForce RTX 5080 launched at $999. On MSRP, GeForce RTX 5080 was 37.5% cheaper ($600 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 23.8 (GeForce RTX 4090) vs 36.0 (GeForce RTX 5080) — the GeForce RTX 5080 offers 51.3% better value. The newer card here is GeForce RTX 5080 (2025 vs 2022).

Feature	GeForce RTX 4090	GeForce RTX 5080
MSRP	$1599	$999-38%
Performance per Dollar	23.8	36.0+51%
Codename	AD102	GB203
Release	September 20 2022	January 30 2025
Ranking	#4	#5

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