Graphics

Building an RTX 3090 Gaming PC in 2024 – Still Worth It?

February 25, 2024

Introduction

In 2024, building a high-end gaming PC with an Nvidia RTX 3090 graphics card is still a worthwhile endeavor for hardcore gamers who want the absolute best performance. The RTX 3090 remains one of the most powerful consumer GPUs available, even two years after its release. In this article, I will examine the pros and cons of building an RTX 3090 gaming PC in 2024 and look at reasons why it can still be a good choice for elite gaming rigs.

RTX 3090 Overview

The RTX 3090 was released by Nvidia in September 2020 as the flagship of the Ampere architecture RTX 3000 series. Some key facts about this graphics card:

Immense horsepower – With 10,496 CUDA cores and 24GB of GDDR6X video memory, the RTX 3090 provides truly elite levels of graphical power that still stand out even in 2024.
8K gaming – The 3090 was the first consumer GPU able to handle 8K resolution gaming. It remains one of the few cards capable of this.
Advanced features – Deep learning supersampling, real-time ray tracing, DLSS, Nvidia Reflex make the 3090 a feature-rich card.
Enthusiast segment – The 3090 competes in the high-end enthusiast market with its premium design and price point.

Even against newer releases, the 3090 stands out in its capabilities. But how does it stack up in 2024 for gaming?

Still Great for 4K and Ultrawide Gaming

The RTX 3090 delivers outstanding performance at 4K and ultrawide 1440p gaming. In 2024 titles, it continues to achieve very high frame rates that take full advantage of cutting-edge monitors:

Able to surpass 100 fps in many 4K games maxed out.
Powers 100+ fps on demanding 3440×1440 ultrawide games.
Frame rates only expected to improve with DLSS 3 in 2024 games.
Smooth gaming with g-sync on 4K and ultrawide monitors.

With performance like this, the 3090 offers an unparalleled 4K and ultrawide experience even in 2024. Gamers who want the very best visuals and frame rates will still benefit greatly from this GPU’s capabilities.

Ray Tracing and DLSS Performance

Ray tracing and Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) are key features in modern games. The 3090 continues to deliver excellent performance with these:

Can handle ray tracing at 4K resolution and good frame rates.
DLSS 3 in new games can boost 4K performance above 100 fps.
Enables great ray traced visuals without compromising smoothness.
Strong AI power allows high DLSS settings for image quality.

Nvidia’s hardware and software innovations integrate extremely well with the RTX 3090 for a cutting-edge experience. Gamers will appreciate the card’s headroom for ray tracing and DLSS in 2024 titles.

Ideal for Overclocking Potential

Overclocking is one way for today’s CPUs and GPUs to gain extra performance. The RTX 3090 has lots of overclocking headroom thanks to its robust cooling and power design:

Beefy triple-fan coolers effective for cooling overclocks.
Overbuilt power delivery can provide over 500W to an overclocked card.
OC benchmarks show 10-15% GPU speed gains are achievable.
Adds useful extra performance as titles become more demanding.

For gamers who like to tune their hardware for max speeds, the 3090 is a GPU that responds very well to overclocking. This additional potential in 2024 can help extend its longevity at the top end.

8K Gaming Still in Reach

While mainstream 8K gaming may still be years away, the RTX 3090 maintains the capability for decent 8K performance in 2024:

Can achieve 30-60 fps in 8K in many titles.
DLSS 3 will further boost 8K frame rates when available.
Well suited for 60 Hz 8K monitors.
Future readiness for when 8K gaming becomes more feasible.

For the user who has an 8K display, perhaps for media creation, the 3090 remains one of the few viable options for 8K gameplay. While demanding, it’s an experience only possible with an elite GPU like this.

Supply and Demand May Be Favorable

In 2024, the supply and demand situation for the 3090 may also be favorable for buyers:

Stopped production means used market will be primary supply.
Next-gen launches will divert demand away from 3090.
Lower prices very likely vs. 2020/2021 mining boom.
Should be attainable at reasonable prices by many buyers.

Unless another crypto mining boom happens, gamers looking to build a 3090 system should face fewer availability constraints and price markups vs. the original launch window. This will make the 3090 more accessible as an elite build option.

Still an Enormous Investment

Of course, there are also some downsides to building a 3090 system that need to be considered:

Very expensive GPU, even on used market in 2024.
Overkill for many gamers’ needs or monitor setups.
High-end components required to avoid bottlenecks.
Superseded by next-gen in performance when those arrive.
Power and cooling demands increase build costs.

Make no mistake – constructing a 3090 build is still going to be a very expensive endeavor in 2024. For the user who can afford it, the experience can certainly be rewarding. But it remains overkill for many, so choose components carefully.

Conclusion

Building a gaming PC around the RTX 3090 in 2024 can still make sense for gamers who want an uncompromising 4K or ultrawide experience and have the budget for it. Despite its age, the 3090 will continue delivering elite-level performance and features that stand out. With careful component selection, its capabilities can be well-utilized. For the hardcore enthusiast, this veterans GPU still has what it takes to power an ultimate dream rig.