GeForce RTX 4090
L40
GeForce RTX 4090 vs L40 Performance Spectrum
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.
GeForce RTX 4090 vs L40 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.
Path of Exile 2
Counter-Strike 2
League of Legends
GeForce RTX 4090 vs L40: 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
2022Why buy it
- ✅+16.9% higher PassMark G3D performance.
- ✅Costs $29,401 less on MSRP ($1,599 MSRP vs $31,000 MSRP).
- ✅Delivers 2166.4% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 23.8 vs 1.1 G3D/$ ($1,599 MSRP vs $31,000 MSRP).
- ✅Access to a newer frame-generation stack with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
- ✅Better long-term bet: Ada Lovelace (2022−2024) on 5nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.
Trade-offs
- ❌Less VRAM, with 24 GB vs 48 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
- ❌50% higher power demand at 450W vs 300W.
- ❌13.9% longer card at 304mm vs 267mm.
L40
2022Why buy it
- ✅100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (48 GB vs 24 GB).
- ✅Draws 300W instead of 450W, a 150W reduction.
- ✅Measures 267mm instead of 304mm, a 37mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.
Trade-offs
- ❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (32,601 vs 38,112).
- ❌No equivalent frame-generation stack like DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
- ❌GeForce RTX 4090 is the safer long-term pick here because the hardware is newer and the feature stack is stronger.
- ❌1838.7% HIGHER MSRP$31,000 MSRPvs$1,599 MSRP
- ❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 1.1 vs 23.8 G3D/$ ($31,000 MSRP vs $1,599 MSRP).
Quick Answers
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GeForce RTX 4090 vs L40 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.
L40
The L40 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in October 13 2022. It features the Ada Lovelace architecture. The core clock ranges from 735 MHz to 2490 MHz. It has 18176 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 300W. Manufactured using 4 nm process technology. It features 142 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 32,601 points.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 4090 scores 38,112 versus the L40's 32,601 — the GeForce RTX 4090 leads by 16.9%. The GeForce RTX 4090 is built on Ada Lovelace while the L40 uses Ada Lovelace, both on 5 nm vs 4 nm. Shader units: 16,384 (GeForce RTX 4090) vs 18,176 (L40). Raw compute: 82.58 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 4090) vs 90.52 TFLOPS (L40). Boost clocks: 2520 MHz vs 2490 MHz. Ray tracing: 128 RT cores (GeForce RTX 4090) vs 142 (L40) with 512 Tensor cores vs 568.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 4090 | L40 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 38,112+17% | 32,601 |
| Architecture | Ada Lovelace | Ada Lovelace |
| Process Node | 5 nm | 4 nm |
| Shading Units | 16384 | 18176+11% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 82.58 TFLOPS | 90.52 TFLOPS+10% |
| Boost Clock | 2520 MHz+1% | 2490 MHz |
| ROPs | 176 | 192+9% |
| TMUs | 512 | 568+11% |
| L1 Cache | 16 MB | 17.8 MB+11% |
| L2 Cache | 72 MB | 96 MB+33% |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 128 | 142+11% |
| Tensor Cores | 512 | 568+11% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
The clearest feature edge for the GeForce RTX 4090 is support for DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation. In games that support it, that can smooth out motion and lift perceived FPS. The L40 does not have comparable native support in the same tier.The GeForce RTX 4090 gets NVIDIA DLSS, which still tends to look cleaner in motion. The L40 leans on FSR, which is flexible and widely supported, but usually a bit rougher at the same settings.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 4090 | L40 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution | Upscaling support |
| Frame Generation | DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation | Not Supported |
| Ray Reconstruction | Yes (DLSS 3.5) | No |
| Low Latency | NVIDIA Reflex | Standard |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The GeForce RTX 4090 has 24 GB of VRAM, while the L40 carries 48 GB. L40 gives you 100% 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 960 GB/s (L40) — a 5% advantage for the GeForce RTX 4090. Memory bus width is 384-bit on the GeForce RTX 4090 and 384-bit on the L40. L2 Cache: 72 MB (GeForce RTX 4090) vs 96 MB (L40) — the L40 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 4090 | L40 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 24 GB | 48 GB+100% |
| Memory Type | GDDR6X | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 1008 GB/s+5% | 960 GB/s |
| Bus Width | 384-bit | 384-bit |
| L2 Cache | 72 MB | 96 MB+33% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12.2 (GeForce RTX 4090) vs 12.2 (L40). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 4090 | L40 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12.2 | 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 8th Gen (L40). Decoder: 5th Gen NVDEC vs NVDEC 5th Gen. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (GeForce RTX 4090) vs AV1,HEVC,H.264,VP9 (L40).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 4090 | L40 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | 8th Gen NVENC (2x) | NVENC 8th Gen |
| Decoder | 5th Gen NVDEC | NVDEC 5th Gen |
| Codecs | MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 | AV1,HEVC,H.264,VP9 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce RTX 4090 draws 450W versus the L40's 300W — a 40% difference. The L40 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 1000W (GeForce RTX 4090) vs 750W (L40). Power connectors: 16-pin (12VHPWR) vs 16-pin. Card length: 304mm vs 267mm, occupying 3 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 80°C vs 80°C.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 4090 | L40 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 450W | 300W-33% |
| Recommended PSU | 1000W | 750W-25% |
| Power Connector | 16-pin (12VHPWR) | 16-pin |
| Length | 304mm | 267mm |
| Height | 137mm | 111mm |
| Slots | 3 | 2-33% |
| Temp (Load) | 80°C | 80°C |
| Perf/Watt | 84.7 | 108.7+28% |
Value Analysis
At launch, the GeForce RTX 4090 came in at $1599, while the L40 launched at $31000. On MSRP, GeForce RTX 4090 was 94.8% cheaper ($29401 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 23.8 (GeForce RTX 4090) vs 1.1 (L40) — the GeForce RTX 4090 offers 2063.6% better value.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 4090 | L40 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $1599-95% | $31000 |
| Performance per Dollar | 23.8+2064% | 1.1 |
| Codename | AD102 | AD102 |
| Release | September 20 2022 | October 13 2022 |
| Ranking | #4 | #61 |
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