RTX 4080 Super vs RTX 4090
The RTX 4080 Super and the RTX 4090 are variations on one theme; the trick is working out which variation suits you. Here the verdict on paper is fairly clear. The RTX 4090 takes 2 of 3 areas against the RTX 4080 Super, starting with gpu & performance. And the price tags aren’t close: the RTX 4080 Super came in $600 below the RTX 4090 at launch.
At a glance
- GPU & Performance RTX 4090 wins
- Memory RTX 4090 wins
- Power & Thermals RTX 4080 Super wins
- Price RTX 4080 Super wins
- GPU & Performance4.3
- Memory1.5
- Power & Thermals7.6
- GPU & Performance7.4
- Memory5.0
- Power & Thermals4.0
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The RTX 4090 has 58% more theoretical FP32 compute
For fp32 compute, the RTX 4090 leads by a wide margin: 82.6 TFLOPS versus 52.2 TFLOPS. Architectures use their compute differently, so treat the gap as a guide and look at game benchmarks for the details.
-
The RTX 4090 has 8 GB more VRAM
This is a headline difference. With 24 GB to the RTX 4080 Super’s 16 GB, the RTX 4090 has a lead that’s easy to see on paper and in practice. At high resolutions or with texture packs, running out of VRAM can hurt more than a small speed gap.
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The RTX 4090 has 60% more shader units
Put simply, the RTX 4090 is far ahead here: 16,384 compared with 10,240. Shader units do most of the heavy lifting in games, so more of them usually means more frames per second within the same architecture.
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The RTX 4080 Super has 130 W lower board power
The RTX 4080 Super’s 320 W leaves the RTX 4090’s 450 W well behind, so if this spec matters to you, the choice is easy. Higher board power often comes with higher performance, so the RTX 4090’s appetite may be part of the price of its speed.
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The RTX 4090 has 37% more memory bandwidth
Not a close call. The RTX 4090 lists 1,008 GB/s and the RTX 4080 Super lists 736 GB/s. That’s a substantial gap. Memory bandwidth decides how quickly the GPU can feed itself with data, which matters most at 1440p and 4K.
Design & Size
- RTX 4080 Super 11.97 in × 3 slots
- RTX 4090 11.97 in × 3 slots
The footprint is practically the same, so size is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Size & Connectivity
| Spec | RTX 4080 Super | RTX 4090 |
|---|---|---|
| Reference card length | 11.97 in | 11.97 in |
| Slot width | 3 slots | 3 slots |
| Display outputs | 3x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1x HDMI 2.1 | 3x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1x HDMI 2.1 |
GPU & Performance
RTX 4090 leads
If gpu & performance is high on your list, the RTX 4090 makes the stronger case by a wide margin. Here the RTX 4090 offers 58% more theoretical FP32 compute. FP32 compute is a theoretical peak that combines shader count and clock speed, a quick way to size up raw power. Bottom line for gpu & performance: the RTX 4090 has the edge.
FP32 compute
RTX 4080 Super: 52.2 TFLOPS RTX 4090: 82.6 TFLOPS The RTX 4090 has more theoretical compute, which often, but not always, translates into higher frame rates.
Shader units
RTX 4080 Super: 10,240 RTX 4090: 16,384 The RTX 4090’s extra shaders give it more raw muscle, although comparisons across different architectures aren’t one-to-one.
Memory
RTX 4090 leads
On memory, the gap between these two is wide, and it favors the RTX 4090. The RTX 4090 stands out with 8 GB more VRAM. More VRAM lets the card hold higher-resolution textures and bigger scenes without stutter. Net result: the RTX 4090 leads this part of the comparison.
VRAM
RTX 4080 Super: 16 GB RTX 4090: 24 GB Newer games tend to ask for more video memory, so the RTX 4090’s extra VRAM helps the card age better.
Memory bandwidth
RTX 4080 Super: 736 GB/s RTX 4090: 1,008 GB/s Bandwidth needs vary by architecture, so compare it alongside VRAM and cache rather than on its own.
Features
There isn’t a number to compare on features, just names. Look at the rows below to see how the RTX 4080 Super and the RTX 4090 differ.
Power & Thermals
RTX 4080 Super leads
The RTX 4080 Super is the clear pick if power & thermals is what you care about most. The RTX 4080 Super brings 130 W lower board power. The RTX 4080 Super draws less power, which makes it easier to cool in compact cases. The power & thermals verdict goes to the RTX 4080 Super.
Total board power
RTX 4080 Super: 320 W RTX 4090: 450 W Lower board power means less heat, quieter cooling and a smaller impact on your electricity bill.
Recommended PSU
RTX 4080 Super: 750 W RTX 4090: 850 W Recommendations include a safety margin for the rest of the system, so they’re a guide rather than a hard limit.
Full Specifications
GPU & Performance
| Spec | RTX 4080 Super | RTX 4090 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Ada Lovelace | Ada Lovelace |
| GPU die | AD103 | AD102 |
| Process | TSMC 4N | TSMC 4N |
| Shader units | 10,240 | 16,384 (winner) |
| Ray tracing units | 80 | 128 (winner) |
| Base clock | 2,295 MHz | 2,235 MHz Highest base clock |
| Boost clock | 2,550 MHz | 2,520 MHz Highest boost clock |
| FP32 computeTheoretical peak; AMD counts dual-issue, so compare within a brand only | 52.2 TFLOPS | 82.6 TFLOPS (winner) |
Memory
| Spec | RTX 4080 Super | RTX 4090 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM | 16 GB | 24 GB (winner) |
| Memory type | GDDR6X | GDDR6X |
| Memory bus | 256-bit | 384-bit (winner) |
| Memory bandwidth | 736 GB/s | 1,008 GB/s (winner) |
Features
| Spec | RTX 4080 Super | RTX 4090 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling | DLSS Super Resolution | DLSS Super Resolution |
| Frame generation | DLSS Frame Generation (2x) | DLSS Frame Generation (2x) |
| PCIe interface | PCIe 4.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x16 |
Power & Thermals
| Spec | RTX 4080 Super | RTX 4090 |
|---|---|---|
| Total board power | 320 W (winner) | 450 W |
| Recommended PSU | 750 W (winner) | 850 W |
| Power connector | 1x 16-pin (12VHPWR) | 1x 16-pin (12VHPWR) |
Size & Connectivity
| Spec | RTX 4080 Super | RTX 4090 |
|---|---|---|
| Reference card length | 11.97 in | 11.97 in |
| Slot width | 3 slots | 3 slots |
| Display outputs | 3x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1x HDMI 2.1 | 3x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1x HDMI 2.1 |
Price
| Spec | RTX 4080 Super | RTX 4090 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price (MSRP) | $999 (winner) | $1,599 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
Money is a real factor here: the launch prices are 60% apart, a difference of $600. Step up by $600 to the RTX 4090 and you gain 58% more theoretical FP32 compute and 8 GB more VRAM.
Based on US launch pricing as of January 2024. Deals and regional pricing can change the picture.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the RTX 4080 Super if…
- you want lower power draw and less heat (320 W vs 450 W board power)
- you’re building on a modest power supply (750 W vs 850 W)
- you’d rather keep $600 in your pocket
Choose the RTX 4090 if…
- you run compute-heavy work alongside gaming (82.6 TFLOPS vs 52.2 TFLOPS FP32)
- you play at high resolutions with high-quality textures (24 GB vs 16 GB VRAM)
- you want more raw GPU hardware (16,384 vs 10,240 shader units)
- you game at high resolutions where bandwidth matters (1,008 GB/s vs 736 GB/s)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the RTX 4080 Super or the RTX 4090?
The RTX 4090 wins more of the areas we compared, so it’s the safer pick unless you’d rather have 130 W lower board power on the RTX 4080 Super.
Which is larger, the RTX 4080 Super or the RTX 4090?
Neither by much. The RTX 4080 Super and the RTX 4090 have nearly identical dimensions.
Does the RTX 4080 Super perform better than the RTX 4090?
The RTX 4090 should be the quicker of the two, with 58% more theoretical FP32 compute and 60% more shader units on its side.
Is the RTX 4080 Super cheaper than the RTX 4090?
Going by launch prices, the RTX 4080 Super costs $600 less than the RTX 4090. Prices as of January 2024; current offers may differ.
Executive Summary
The RTX 4080 Super and the RTX 4090 are relatives, and relatives can be surprisingly different once you read the fine print. Practically speaking, the RTX 4090’s biggest advantage is 58% more theoretical FP32 compute. And if that weren’t enough, the RTX 4090 has 8 GB more VRAM. I don’t want to sell the RTX 4080 Super short, though: it has 130 W lower board power.
If you’d rather have strength in power & thermals, go with the RTX 4080 Super. If gpu & performance is what you’d miss, go with the RTX 4090.
My pick: the RTX 4090, unless you care more about 130 W lower board power than anything else.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.