Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 vs Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050
Verdict
Our overall take, at a glance
Key takeaways
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 leads Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 overall by 41 points (85 vs 44 out of 100).
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 stands out on Core Specifications Base Power: 450 W, Core Specifications Maximum Power: 575 W, Core Specifications Lithography Process: 4 nm.
- Best value: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 (from $249) — the strongest score-per-dollar of the two.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 leads overall
$1,599 at launch
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090
85
Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050
44
Best value: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 ($249)
Why it stands out
- Core Specifications Base Power: 450 W
- Core Specifications Maximum Power: 575 W
- Core Specifications Lithography Process: 4 nm
In-depth analysisAI
AI-generated from the cited sources — may be incomplete or inaccurate; verify important details before deciding · generated Jun 2026.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090
The GeForce RTX 4090 is the flagship graphics card in Nvidia's consumer GPU family, succeeding the GeForce RTX 30 series. It is based on Nvidia's Ada Lovelace architecture and features third-generation RT cores and fourth-generation Tensor Cores for hardware acceleration.
Best for High-end graphics tasks
Pros
- Features a TSMC 4N process designed by Nvidia
- Includes three-generation Ray Tracing Cores for accelerated ray tracing
- Supports OpenGL 4.6, Vulkan 1.4, and DirectX Direct3D 12.0 Ultimate APIs
- Features dual NVENC with 8K 10-bit 120FPS AV1 fixed function hardware encoding
Cons
- No NVLink support
- Double-precision performance is 1/64 of single-precision performance
Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050
The GeForce RTX 3050 is an entry-level graphics processor designed to introduce modern features like hardware-accelerated ray tracing and DLSS into mainstream gaming. It suits users seeking a balance between current graphical technologies and budget constraints, allowing for gameplay in demanding titles at moderate settings.
Best for 1080p GamingBest for Modern TitlesBest for Budget Builds
Pros
- Includes dedicated hardware cores (RT cores) developed for accelerating complex lighting calculations.
- Supports advanced features like AI-accelerated graphics processing in addition to traditional texturing (rasterization).
- Is part of a line (30 series) that supports modern APIs including DirectX Raytracing and Vulkan.
Cons
- As an entry-level card, it is limited in raw computational power compared to higher-tier models.
- Its capabilities are foundational, meaning intensive use of the latest advanced effects may require compromises in resolution or frame rate.
Value for Money
Which is the better deal for the price
Pre-filled with launch prices where known — enter today's price for an up-to-date check. Use the same currency for both.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090
Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050
Performance
Higher benchmark score = faster
Nvidia GeForce RTX 409039,178
Nvidia GeForce RTX 305013,037
Benchmark score — a measured indicator of raw performance, not a guarantee of real-world speed.
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Detailed Specifications
The full spec sheet, side by side