RTX 4090 vs. 3090 Ti: Which is the Better Buy? (2024)

Graphics cards play a crucial role in video editing, 3D graphics rendering, gaming, and other high-demand applications. As such, the graphics card market is constantly evolving as companies update and improve graphic card specifications for enhanced performance. NVIDIA has been at the forefront of manufacturing graphic cards with excellent performance and delivering high resolutions and refresh rates for modern-day gaming and intensive applications.

GeForce RTX graphics cards are known to be the most powerful GPU for gamers since they deliver ray tracing capabilities, AI-powered graphics, and high responsiveness for an unparalleled gaming experience. The RTX 4090 and RTX 3090 Ti are the latest graphic cards from NVIDIA. While they both have similar specifications and features, the new flagship is faster and delivers high performance at a higher price than its predecessor.

Let’s compare NVIDIA’s high-performing graphic cards, the 4090 vs. 3090 Ti, to help you make an informed decision.

RTX 4090 vs. 3090 Ti: Side-by-Side Comparison

RTX 4090 vs. 3090 Ti: What’s the Difference?

The latest Nvidia graphic card, RTX 4090, has significantly improved over the RTX 30 series. It brings an almost double performance in features like Tensor Cores, streaming multiprocessors, RT Cores, and a high-efficiency Ada Optical Flow Accelerator.

Previously, the 3090 Ti was the premium choice for the 30 series, but not anymore. The new kid on the block has a host of features that redefine high-end gaming capabilities. Here are some of the crucial areas in which RTX 4090 and 3090 Ti differ.

Price and Availability

The RTX 4090 launched at a price point of $1,599, which is justifiable, considering its robust performance and improved architecture. However, this is not to say that the 3090 Ti is inferior. It still delivers high performance and superior capabilities, especially in 4K gaming. The 3090 Ti, a variant of the original 3090, was released at $1,999.

During that period, the price kept fluctuating due to shortages; at some point, the prices were as high as $4,000. The cost of 3090 Ti has significantly reduced over time; you can currently get it at $1,000. The fact that NVIDIA launched the RTX 4090 at a lower price point indicates that they are not keen on dramatic price hikes across the board.

Due to the high demand for the new GeForce RTX 4090, there have been shortages since its release. The RTX 3090 Ti, on the other side, has been consistently readily available.

Performance

The Nvidia RTX 4090 is undoubtedly faster than the previous graphic card generations. When pitted against other GPUs, the RTX 4090 has proved to be the fastest GPU ever made. The 4090 graphics card boasts more CUDA Cores than the 3090 Ti by 50%, promising a considerable boost in rasterization performance. In addition, the 4090 also features more SMs, RT Cores, and Tensor Cores by 50%, which translates to better image scaling capabilities and ray tracing. Also, the card has a larger L2 cache compared to the 3090 Ti and a higher boost clock and core.

Both the 4090 and 3090 Ti offer an impressive 24GB of high-speed GDDR6X video memory on a 384-bit memory bus, which will be greater for gaming on any resolution in the near future. However, the 4090 graphics card does not support PCIe 5.0 and instead relies on PCIe 4.0, similar to the 3090 Ti. While this may appear a disadvantage, it’s not a significant issue as graphics cards aren’t saturating PCIe 4.0 bandwidths in contemporary games.

The 4090 is an impressive GPU that stands out for its ability to deliver high performance while maintaining the same power consumption as the 3090 Ti, demonstrating a remarkable improvement in power efficiency. Both GPUs require an 850W PSU, as recommended by NVIDIA. When it comes to 4K gaming and ray tracing, the 4090 really shines, surpassing the capabilities of the 3090 Ti by achieving 60-68% performance gains. This breakthrough in hardware is paving the way for high refresh rates and 4K ray tracing to become the norm.

One of the most attractive features of the 4090 is its DLSS 3.0 capability. This technology enables game performance to increase by at least 50% and, in some cases, up to 100% higher than with DLSS 2. Even if DLSS 3.0 causes input lag, it can be easily disabled to obtain DLSS 2.0 performance, which is still superior due to the extra Tensor Cores in the 4090.

Features

Like its predecessors, the 3090 Ti and 3090, the RTX 4090 is equipped with ray tracing and DLSS support. However, due to its increased RT and Tensor core counts and cutting-edge hardware, it boasts significant performance enhancements when either or both of these features are enabled compared to the previous generation.

NVIDIA showcased their new DLSS 3 algorithm at GTC, revealing that it leads to substantial performance improvements when enabled, but it is an exclusive feature of the RTX 4000 series, requiring a next-generation card to take advantage of it.

Nevertheless, as DLSS3 has to be specifically added to games, its effect will be limited initially, as with previous DLSS releases. The RTX 4090 can also leverage DLSS 1 and DLSS 2 much more effectively than its predecessors. Therefore, whether you’re playing the newest DLSS 3 games or an older game with an earlier version of the upscaler, the RTX 4090 can offer excellent performance gains.

RTX 4090 vs. 3090 Ti: 10 Must-know Facts

• The RTX 4090 and 3090 Ti have different architecture, using Ampere for RTX 3090 Ti and Ada Lovelace for RTX 4090.
• The RTX 4090 is significantly more expensive than the 3090 Ti due to its increased performance and exclusive features.
• While they are both equipped with ray tracing and DLSS, RTX 4090 is one generation ahead of the RTX 3090 Ti.
• The GeForce RTX 4090 is a flagship in the RTX 40 series, which succeeded the RTX 30 series, where the RTX 3090 Ti belongs.
• Both graphic cards have the same power consumption.
• The 4090 is an impressive GPU that stands out for its ability to deliver high performance while maintaining the same power consumption as the 3090 Ti, demonstrating a remarkable improvement in power efficiency.
• They both have the same memory size.
• The RTX 4090 has fourth-generation Tensor Cores and a new Optical Flow Accelerator to support the new DLSS 3 algorithm, which offers substantial performance improvements when enabled.
• When it comes to 4K gaming and ray tracing, the 4090 really shines, surpassing the capabilities of the 3090 Ti by achieving 60-68% performance gains.
• Due to the high demand for the new GeForce RTX 4090, there have been shortages since its release.

RTX 4090 vs. 3090 Ti: Which One is Better for You?

The new NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 has become the undisputed leader in GPU technology, providing top-of-the-line rasterization performance and an array of new features shared by all 40-series Ada Lovelace cards. One such feature, DLSS 3, is especially impressive.

Just a short while ago, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 Ti was the most advanced GPU available, and it still delivers exceptional performance across all resolutions and games. However, compared to the 4090, the difference in performance is significant, marking a paradigm shift in gaming performance.

The 4090 allows for comfortable gameplay at 4K resolution with high refresh rates, even on max settings, making it possible to experience 4K gaming as we once thought of 1440p gaming. The RTX 3090 Ti will suffice for most gamers, offering ample performance for 1440p gaming at over 100 FPS in most games.

But, for those who desire even higher performance, such as 120 FPS or 144 FPS at 1440p in graphically demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077 and don’t mind spending the money, the 4090 is worth the investment. The GPU also shines in high refresh rate gaming at 4K, making it one of the first GPUs capable of handling 4K gaming without breaking a sweat.

The added benefit of DLSS 3.0 might be the deciding factor for many gamers. Although enabling frame generation can increase input latency in some games, it is unlikely to be noticeable when combined with NVIDIA Reflex at high frame rates. The drastic performance boost is significant enough to justify the 4090’s price tag.

Up Next:

• RTX 4090 vs. 3060 Ti: Specs, Full Comparison, and More
• RTX 3090 vs. 3070 Ti: Full Comparison and Specs
• RTX 3090 vs. 3090 Ti: Key Differences and Full Comparison

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I get a 3090-Ti or a 4090?

The RTX 4090 outperforms the RTX 3090 Ti due to its superior technology, including advanced ray tracing cores, DLSS, larger memory size, higher base and boost clock rates, and more. As a result, users can expect improved performance from the RTX 4090 compared to the RTX 3090 Ti.

How much faster will the RTX 4090 be than the RTX 3090 in ray tracing?

According to test reports, the gaming performance of NVIDIA’s RTX 4090 delivers more than double the speed of the RTX 3090 when it comes to handling gaming workloads.

Is it worth upgrading RTX 3090 Ti to 4090?

The RTX 3090 Ti graphics card boasts 10 752 CUDA cores, but the RTX 4090 takes it several notches higher with an impressive 16,000 plus CUDA cores. This significant improvement is expected to result in a more exceptional performance level for the RTX 4090.

Is the 4090 faster than the 3090-Ti?

Typically, the 4090 exhibits a 60% performance improvement over the 3090 Ti when operating at 4K resolution. While the 3090 Ti can still deliver over 100 FPS on maximum settings in most contemporary games at 4K, it may encounter difficulties achieving 100 FPS or even 60 FPS in the most demanding games.

Is the RTX 3090 Ti worth it?

Absolutely. The RTX 3090 Ti is a high-end graphics card that offers incredible performance for demanding tasks like 4K gaming and professional workloads like video editing, 3D modeling, and machine learning. Although the newer 40 series generation performs better, the RTX 3090 Ti remains a top pick for budget-conscious users.

Is the 4090 bigger than the 3090?

All RTX 4090 graphics cards are physically massive. Many people have had trouble fitting them in their cases with the side panel fully closed, as they’re significantly larger than even most 3090 Ti GPUs for the third-party AIB models.

Can the RTX 4090 be used for cryptocurrency mining?

While it is technically possible to use the RTX 4090 for mining, its high price and power consumption make it a less attractive option compared to other GPUs that are better suited for mining. Moreover, NVIDIA has implemented software limitations to reduce the efficiency of mining on its latest cards.