RTX 4090 vs RTX 3090: Is the Upgrade Worth It?
Deciding between one generation and the next? The RTX 3090 and the RTX 4090 are exactly that pair. The RTX 4090 wins more of the areas that we compared (2 of 3), and its most convincing lead is in gpu & performance.
At a glance
- GPU & Performance RTX 4090 wins
- Memory RTX 4090 wins
- Power & Thermals RTX 3090 wins
- Price RTX 3090 wins
- GPU & Performance6.6
- Memory0.3
- Power & Thermals5.7
- GPU & Performance0.0
- Memory0.0
- Power & Thermals10.0
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
-
The RTX 4090 has 132% more theoretical FP32 compute
A clear win for the RTX 4090: 82.6 TFLOPS against 35.6 TFLOPS. Few specs in this matchup are as one-sided. Architectures use their compute differently, so treat the gap as a guide and look at game benchmarks for the details.
-
The RTX 4090 has 56% more shader units
Here the RTX 4090 pulls well ahead of the RTX 3090, with 16,384 compared to 10,496. Treat shader count as a strong hint about performance tier, then check benchmarks for the games you actually play.
-
The RTX 3090 has 100 W lower board power
The RTX 3090 doesn’t just edge this one; 350 W against 450 W is a lead you’ll feel. Higher board power often comes with higher performance, so the RTX 4090’s appetite may be part of the price of its speed.
-
The RTX 4090 has 56% more ray tracing units
Big gap, real consequences. The RTX 4090’s 128 versus the RTX 3090’s 82 changes how the two compare in daily use. More ray tracing units help keep frame rates up when ray-traced lighting, shadows and reflections are switched on.
-
The RTX 4090 has a 49% higher boost clock
The RTX 3090 is clearly behind on boost clock (1,695 MHz against 2,520 MHz), and that’s one of its biggest weak spots in this matchup. The RTX 4090 boosts higher, which helps performance when paired with a similar number of shaders.
Design & Size
- RTX 4090 11.97 in × 3 slots
- RTX 3090 12.32 in × 3 slots
Want the smaller footprint? That’s the RTX 4090. The RTX 3090 is the larger of the two.
Size & Connectivity
| Spec | RTX 4090 | RTX 3090 |
|---|---|---|
| Reference card length | 11.97 in | 12.32 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
This section belongs to the RTX 4090. In gpu & performance, it leads the RTX 3090 by a margin that’s hard to ignore. The RTX 4090 comes with 132% 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. For gpu & performance, the RTX 4090 is the one to beat.
FP32 compute
RTX 4090: 82.6 TFLOPS RTX 3090: 35.6 TFLOPS The RTX 4090 has more theoretical compute, which often, but not always, translates into higher frame rates.
Shader units
RTX 4090: 16,384 RTX 3090: 10,496 Shader units do most of the heavy lifting in games, so more of them usually means more frames per second within the same architecture.
Memory
RTX 4090 leads
A modest lead on memory belongs to the RTX 4090. On its side, the RTX 4090 has 7.7% more memory bandwidth. Memory bandwidth decides how quickly the GPU can feed itself with data, which matters most at 1440p and 4K. The memory verdict goes to the RTX 4090.
Memory bandwidth
RTX 4090: 1,008 GB/s RTX 3090: 936 GB/s Bandwidth needs vary by architecture, so compare it alongside VRAM and cache rather than on its own.
Features
The RTX 4090 and the RTX 3090 differ on features in ways that are described rather than measured. The table has the details.
Power & Thermals
RTX 3090 leads
The power & thermals numbers point firmly in one direction: toward the RTX 3090. Here the RTX 3090 offers 100 W lower board power. The RTX 3090 draws less power, which makes it easier to cool in compact cases. If power & thermals is your priority, the RTX 3090 is the card to pick.
Total board power
RTX 4090: 450 W RTX 3090: 350 W Lower board power means less heat, quieter cooling and a smaller impact on your electricity bill.
Recommended PSU
RTX 4090: 850 W RTX 3090: 750 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 4090 | RTX 3090 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Ada Lovelace | Ampere |
| GPU die | AD102 | GA102 |
| Process | TSMC 4N | Samsung 8N |
| Shader units | 16,384 (winner) | 10,496 Fewest shader units |
| Ray tracing units | 128 (winner) | 82 Fewest ray tracing units |
| Base clock | 2,235 MHz (winner) Highest base clock | 1,395 MHz Lowest base clock |
| Boost clock | 2,520 MHz (winner) Highest boost clock | 1,695 MHz Lowest boost clock |
| FP32 computeTheoretical peak; AMD counts dual-issue, so compare within a brand only | 82.6 TFLOPS (winner) | 35.6 TFLOPS Least compute in class |
Memory
| Spec | RTX 4090 | RTX 3090 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM | 24 GB | 24 GB |
| Memory type | GDDR6X | GDDR6X |
| Memory bus | 384-bit | 384-bit |
| Memory bandwidth | 1,008 GB/s (winner) | 936 GB/s Least memory bandwidth |
Features
| Spec | RTX 4090 | RTX 3090 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling | DLSS Super Resolution | DLSS Super Resolution |
| Frame generation | DLSS Frame Generation (2x) | No DLSS Frame Generation |
| PCIe interface | PCIe 4.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x16 |
Power & Thermals
| Spec | RTX 4090 | RTX 3090 |
|---|---|---|
| Total board power | 450 W | 350 W (winner) Lowest power draw in class |
| Recommended PSU | 850 W | 750 W (winner) Smallest PSU requirement |
| Power connector | 1x 16-pin (12VHPWR) | 1x 12-pin |
Size & Connectivity
| Spec | RTX 4090 | RTX 3090 |
|---|---|---|
| Reference card length | 11.97 in | 12.32 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 4090 | RTX 3090 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price (MSRP) | $1,599 | $1,499 (winner) Lowest price in class |
“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
Price is almost a tie, with the RTX 3090 launching $100 below the RTX 4090. Is the RTX 4090 worth $100 extra? What you get for the money is 132% more theoretical FP32 compute and 56% more shader units.
Based on US launch pricing as of October 2022. Deals and regional pricing can change the picture.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the RTX 4090 if…
- you run compute-heavy work alongside gaming (82.6 TFLOPS vs 35.6 TFLOPS FP32)
- you want more shader units working on every frame (16,384 vs 10,496)
- you play with ray tracing switched on (128 vs 82 RT units)
- you care about peak clock speed (2,520 MHz vs 1,695 MHz boost)
- you plan to keep it for a long time and want to start from the newer generation
Choose the RTX 3090 if…
- you want lower power draw and less heat (350 W vs 450 W board power)
- you’re building on a modest power supply (750 W vs 850 W)
- you’d rather keep $100 in your pocket
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the RTX 4090 or the RTX 3090?
The RTX 4090 makes more sense overall. Consider the alternative only if you already have the RTX 3090 and it works fine.
Should I upgrade from the RTX 3090 to the RTX 4090?
If those changes matter to you, yes: the RTX 4090 adds 132% more theoretical FP32 compute, 56% more shader units and 56% more ray tracing units compared with the RTX 3090.
Is the RTX 4090 bigger than the RTX 3090?
It’s the RTX 3090 that is larger: 12.32 in, versus 11.97 in for the RTX 4090.
Does the RTX 4090 perform better than the RTX 3090?
The RTX 4090 should be the quicker of the two, with 132% more theoretical FP32 compute and 56% more shader units on its side.
Which costs less, the RTX 4090 or the RTX 3090?
At launch, the RTX 3090 undercut the RTX 4090 by $100. These figures are as of October 2022, and street prices can change.
Executive Summary
The RTX 3090 had its run, and now the RTX 4090 has taken over. Here’s what I think actually changed. In daily life, I think the first difference you’d notice is 132% more theoretical FP32 compute, and that goes to the RTX 4090. On top of that, the RTX 4090 adds 56% more ray tracing units. The RTX 3090’s strongest argument is 100 W lower board power.
In my head, the RTX 4090 is the gpu & performance pick and the RTX 3090 is the power & thermals pick.
My pick: if it were my money, the RTX 4090, but I wouldn’t upgrade from the RTX 3090 without a specific reason.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.