GeForce RTX 5090 vs GeForce RTX 4090
GeForce RTX 5090
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GeForce RTX 4090
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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 5090
Performance Per Dollar GeForce RTX 4090
Why is GeForce RTX 5090 better than GeForce RTX 4090?
The GeForce RTX 5090 delivers approximately 30-33% better gaming performance than the RTX 4090, with gains ranging from 23% to 47% depending on the title. With 21760 CUDA cores versus 16384 and 32GB GDDR7 memory delivering 1792 GB/s bandwidth versus 1008 GB/s, the flagship Blackwell GPU is a substantial generational leap.
Ray tracing performance sees 30-40% improvements thanks to 4th generation RT cores, with titles like Alan Wake 2 showing 35% higher frame rates. The exclusive DLSS 4 Multi-Frame Generation further amplifies performance in supported games.
For enthusiasts seeking absolute peak gaming performance at 4K and beyond, the RTX 5090 is unmatched at $1999. The RTX 4090 at $1599 remains excellent value for those not requiring the latest technology, especially given the 5090's 575W TDP versus 450W requires a beefier power supply.
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce RTX 5090 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 2% higher G3D Mark score and 33.3% more VRAM (32 GB vs 24 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce RTX 4090.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 5090 | GeForce RTX 4090 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+2%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-2%) |
| Longevity | 🏆Elite Architecture (Blackwell 2.0 (2025−2026) / 5nm) | 🏆Elite Architecture (Ada Lovelace (2022−2024) / 5nm) |
| Ecosystem | ✨ DLSS 3/4 + Frame Gen Support | ✨ DLSS 3/4 + Frame Gen Support |
| VRAM | 🎮 High Capacity (32 GB) | 🎮 High Capacity (24 GB) |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | Standard Size (304mm) | Standard Size (304mm) |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce RTX 4090 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $1,649 versus $2,700 for the GeForce RTX 5090, it costs 39% less. While it maintains competitive performance, this results in a 60.6% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 5090 | GeForce RTX 4090 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+60.6%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($2,700) | ✅More affordable ($1,649) |
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 5090 and GeForce RTX 4090
GeForce RTX 5090
The GeForce RTX 5090 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 30 2025. It features the Blackwell 2.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 2017 MHz to 2407 MHz. It has 21760 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 575W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 170 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 38,867 points. Launch price was $1,999.
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
The GeForce RTX 5090 scores 38,867 and the GeForce RTX 4090 reaches 38,112 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce RTX 5090 is built on Blackwell 2.0 while the GeForce RTX 4090 uses Ada Lovelace, both on a 5 nm process. Shader units: 21,760 (GeForce RTX 5090) vs 16,384 (GeForce RTX 4090). Raw compute: 104.8 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 5090) vs 82.58 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 4090). Boost clocks: 2407 MHz vs 2520 MHz. Ray tracing: 170 RT cores (GeForce RTX 5090) vs 128 (GeForce RTX 4090) with 680 Tensor cores vs 512.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 5090 | GeForce RTX 4090 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 38,867+2% | 38,112 |
| Architecture | Blackwell 2.0 | Ada Lovelace |
| Process Node | 5 nm | 5 nm |
| Shading Units | 21760+33% | 16384 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 104.8 TFLOPS+27% | 82.58 TFLOPS |
| Boost Clock | 2407 MHz | 2520 MHz+5% |
| ROPs | 176 | 176 |
| TMUs | 680+33% | 512 |
| L1 Cache | 21.3 MB+33% | 16 MB |
| L2 Cache | 96 MB+33% | 72 MB |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 170+33% | 128 |
| Tensor Cores | 680+33% | 512 |
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 5090 lacks specific hardware/driver support for this native frame generation tier.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 5090 | GeForce RTX 4090 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 1.0 (Software) | DLSS 3.5 |
| Frame Generation | Not Supported | DLSS 3.0 (Native) |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | Yes (DLSS 3.5) |
| Low Latency | NVIDIA Reflex | NVIDIA Reflex |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The GeForce RTX 5090 comes with 32 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 4090 has 24 GB. The GeForce RTX 5090 offers 33.3% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 1792 GB/s (GeForce RTX 5090) vs 1008 GB/s (GeForce RTX 4090) — a 77.8% advantage for the GeForce RTX 5090. Bus width: 512-bit vs 384-bit. L2 Cache: 96 MB (GeForce RTX 5090) vs 72 MB (GeForce RTX 4090) — the GeForce RTX 5090 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 5090 | GeForce RTX 4090 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 32 GB+33% | 24 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR7 | GDDR6X |
| Memory Bandwidth | 1792 GB/s+78% | 1008 GB/s |
| Bus Width | 512-bit+33% | 384-bit |
| L2 Cache | 96 MB+33% | 72 MB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12.2 (GeForce RTX 5090) vs 12.2 (GeForce RTX 4090). Vulkan: 1.4 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 5090 | GeForce RTX 4090 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12.2 | 12.2 |
| Vulkan | 1.4+8% | 1.3 |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 4 | 4 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: 9th Gen NVENC (2x) (GeForce RTX 5090) vs 8th Gen NVENC (2x) (GeForce RTX 4090). Decoder: 6th Gen NVDEC vs 5th Gen NVDEC. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (GeForce RTX 5090) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (GeForce RTX 4090).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 5090 | GeForce RTX 4090 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | 9th Gen NVENC (2x) | 8th Gen NVENC (2x) |
| Decoder | 6th Gen NVDEC | 5th Gen NVDEC |
| Codecs | MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 | MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce RTX 5090 draws 575W versus the GeForce RTX 4090's 450W — a 24.4% difference. The GeForce RTX 4090 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 1000W (GeForce RTX 5090) vs 1000W (GeForce RTX 4090). Power connectors: 16-pin (12VHPWR) vs 16-pin (12VHPWR). Card length: 304mm vs 304mm, occupying 2 vs 3 slots. Typical load temperature: 85°C vs 80°C.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 5090 | GeForce RTX 4090 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 575W | 450W-22% |
| Recommended PSU | 1000W | 1000W |
| Power Connector | 16-pin (12VHPWR) | 16-pin (12VHPWR) |
| Length | 304mm | 304mm |
| Height | 137mm | 137mm |
| Slots | 2-33% | 3 |
| Temp (Load) | 85°C | 80°C-6% |
| Perf/Watt | 67.6 | 84.7+25% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce RTX 5090 launched at $1999 MSRP and currently averages $2700, while the GeForce RTX 4090 launched at $1599 and now averages $1649. The GeForce RTX 4090 costs 38.9% less ($1051 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 14.4 (GeForce RTX 5090) vs 23.1 (GeForce RTX 4090) — the GeForce RTX 4090 offers 60.4% better value. The GeForce RTX 5090 is the newer GPU (2025 vs 2022).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 5090 | GeForce RTX 4090 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $1999 | $1599-20% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $2700 | $1649-39% |
| Performance per Dollar | 14.4 | 23.1+60% |
| Codename | GB202 | AD102 |
| Release | January 30 2025 | September 20 2022 |
| Ranking | #3 | #4 |
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