Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 vs Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti
Verdict
Our overall take, at a glance
Key takeaways
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 leads Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti overall by 17 points (96 vs 79 out of 100).
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 stands out on Core Specifications Base Frequency: 2.23 GHz, Core Specifications Base Power: 450 W, Core Specifications Maximum Frequency: 2.52 GHz.
- Best value: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti (from $1,199) — the strongest score-per-dollar of the two.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 leads overall
$1,599 at launch
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090
96
Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti
79
Best value: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti ($1,199)
Why it stands out
- Core Specifications Base Frequency: 2.23 GHz
- Core Specifications Base Power: 450 W
- Core Specifications Maximum Frequency: 2.52 GHz
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 3080 Ti
This series represents a high-performance graphics card designed for visual computing tasks and demanding gaming setups. It incorporates advanced technologies like hardware-accelerated ray tracing to simulate highly realistic light and material interactions. It is suitable for users creating photorealistic content or playing modern games at high resolutions.
Best for High-resolution gamingBest for Architectural visualizationBest for Film and video production
Pros
- Features foundational support for deep learning tools through CUDA
- Includes specialized RT cores for accelerating real-time ray tracing mathematics
- Is part of a historically significant line used in both professional and consumer visual production
- Supports multiple advanced APIs including DirectX 12 Raytracing, OptiX, and Vulkan
Cons
- Real-time ray tracing is still computationally intensive and may require hybrid rendering approaches for optimal performance
- The product line is large, suggesting that newer generations may offer superior performance improvements or features
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 3080 Ti
Performance
Higher benchmark score = faster
Nvidia GeForce RTX 409039,178
Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti26,645
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