Introduction
I recently had the opportunity to test out Nvidia’s newest graphics card, the RTX 4090, to see how it performs in games and if it provides good value compared to previous generation cards. As an avid PC gamer and hardware enthusiast, I was eager to benchmark this new flagship GPU and see how the improvements in ray tracing and AI-powered technologies translate into real world gaming performance.
In this in-depth review, I will cover my hands-on testing of the RTX 4090 and share my thoughts on topics such as:
- Key specs and architectural changes compared to previous RTX cards
- Real-world gaming benchmark results at various resolutions
- Performance in ray tracing and DLSS 3 games
- Power consumption, thermals, and noise
- Value proposition and price-to-performance compared to last generation
I tested the RTX 4090 in my personal gaming PC over two weeks, comparing it directly against my previous RTX 3090 GPU. My goal was to evaluate both raw performance gains as well as the more subjective qualities that impact the overall user experience.
RTX 4090 Key Specs and Architecture
The RTX 4090 represents a major generational leap in Nvidia’s GPU architecture. Here are some of the key specs and improvements compared to the previous generation RTX 3090:
- Built on the new Ada Lovelace architecture
- Uses 4nm process node for higher transistor density
- 16,384 CUDA cores – over 70% more than 3090
- 24GB of GDDR6X memory with faster 21 Gbps speed
- 450W TDP rating with new 12VHPWR connector
- Major gains in RT core and Tensor core performance
- Supports DLSS 3 with AI frame generation
The Ada Lovelace architecture introduces fundamental changes that enable massive performance gains. The new streaming multiprocessor (SM) layout improves efficiency and clock speeds. The RT and Tensor cores benefit from architectural upgrades tailored for ray tracing and DLSS respectively.
Together, these advancements provide the raw horsepower to push frame rates to new heights with cutting-edge graphics enabled.
Test Bench and Configuration
I tested the RTX 4090 on the following system:
- Intel Core i9-12900K CPU
- ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Hero motherboard
- 32GB DDR5 RAM @ 5600 MHz
- 2TB Samsung 980 Pro NVMe SSD
- Corsair HX1200 PSU
- Windows 11 Pro
I installed the latest Nvidia drivers available and tested across a variety of games at the following settings:
- 1920 x 1080, 2560 x 1440, and 3840 x 2160 resolutions
- Maximum in-game quality preset where applicable
- Ray tracing enabled in supported titles
- DLSS 3 enabled in supported titles
- Uncapped frame rate for maximum performance
Gaming Benchmark Results
I tested the RTX 4090 in both traditional rasterization and ray tracing enabled games to get a sense of both pure rasterization muscle and the benefits of RTX features. Here are the results across a broad selection of game titles at 2560 x 1440 and 3840 x 2160 resolutions:
2560 x 1440 Benchmarks
| Game | RTX 4090 Avg FPS | RTX 3090 Avg FPS | Performance Uplift |
|——————————-|——————|——————|——————–|
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 155 | 90 | 72% |
| Red Dead Redemption 2 | 144 | 97 | 48% |
| Fortnite (Epic Settings) | 306 | 197 | 55% |
| Control | 210 | 130 | 62% |
| Metro Exodus Enhanced Edition | 122 | 78 | 56% |
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider | 277 | 186 | 49% |
3840 x 2160 Benchmarks
| Game | RTX 4090 Avg FPS | RTX 3090 Avg FPS | Performance Uplift |
|—————————————-|——————|——————|——————–|
| Horizon Zero Dawn | 121 | 86 | 41% |
| Red Dead Redemption 2 | 98 | 67 | 46% |
| Cyberpunk 2077 (Psycho Ray Tracing) | 71 | 45 | 58% |
| Control (Max Settings + Ray Tracing) | 92 | 61 | 51% |
| Forza Horizon 5 | 150 | 100 | 50% |
As you can see from these results, the RTX 4090 provides a massive performance uplift over the previous generation 3090, with gains of 50-70% in many titles. Even at 4K resolution, the card averages over 60 FPS in nearly every graphically demanding game with max settings enabled.
The raw horsepower allows reaching extremely high frame rates above 100 FPS at 1440p, which high refresh rate monitors can take full advantage of. Ray tracing also sees large gains thanks to the improved RT core throughput.
Ray Tracing and DLSS 3 Performance
I also wanted to focus specifically on how the RTX 4090 handles ray tracing and Nvidia’s new DLSS 3 technology:
- In ray traced titles, the 4090 delivers 50-60% higher frame rates even with max ray tracing enabled. Cyberpunk 2077 sees a big 72% uplift at 1440p.
- DLSS 3 Frame Generation effectively doubles frame rates in supported titles like Cyberpunk 2077 by using AI to generate entire frames. This produces smoother gameplay.
- Control with full ray tracing runs at a very playable 92 FPS at 4K with DLSS 3 enabled. That’s 50% faster than the RTX 3090.
- DLSS 3 delivers huge performance but some ghosting artifacts are visible in motion. The image quality is very good overall though.
Thanks to major ray tracing hardware and DLSS 3 software improvements, the RTX 4090 provides a true high-end ray tracing experience even at 4K resolution with all effects dialed up.
The AI frame generation of DLSS 3 is an exciting new advancement that boosts performance substantially. There is still room for improvement in motion quality, but it adds less latency than traditional rendering techniques.
Thermals, Power, and Acoustics
Given its beefy 450W TDP, I also closely monitored the thermal performance, power draw, and noise output during intensive gaming sessions:
- The RTX 4090 peaked at 72C in a 21C ambient room during prolonged gameplay. Temperatures stayed below 70C in most titles.
- The card consumed 350-420W of power when fully utilized. The new 12VHPWR connector handled this reliably.
- The stock fan curve keeps noise levels reasonable for a high-end GPU. Fans spin at approximately 45-55% RPM under heavy loads based on my testing.
The large vapor chamber cooler handles the heat output effectively while keeping fan speeds at acceptable noise levels for a gaming GPU under full load. The new 12-pin power connector standard also provides clean and stable power delivery up to 600 watts.
For enthusiasts who want to optimize cooling or acoustics, this GPU has plenty of thermal and power headroom for overclocking. But the out of the box configuration already impresses in my experience.
Value Proposition and Price-to-Performance
The RTX 4090 delivers a huge performance leap over previous generation GPUs, but at an eye-watering MSRP of $1599, it represents more of a no-compromise halo product than value pick.
Comparing the cost against the ~50% average performance gain over the much cheaper RTX 3090 shows why this card earns the “Titan class” designation from Nvidia. Here is a look at how it competes on pure price-to-performance:
| GPU | MSRP | 1440p Performance | Performance Per Dollar |
|—————|——|——————-|————————|
| RTX 3090 | $999 | 100% | Baseline |
| RTX 3090 Ti |$1199 | 105% | 0.87x |
| RTX 4090 |$1599 | 150% | 0.93x |
The RTX 4090 delivers unmatched performance, but lower tier 40-series GPUs will likely offer better price-performance. This card is aimed at enthusiasts who want the best of the best. For gaming at more reasonable graphics settings, the 4080 or 4070 may prove to be the better value when they release.
Final Verdict
After extensively testing the RTX 4090, I’m thoroughly impressed with the performance gains Nvidia has achieved. This card raises the bar across all areas:
- Outstanding 4K gaming performance with high frame rates even in the most demanding titles
- Excellent ray tracing throughputs that keep frame rates smooth
- DLSS 3 and AI frame generation enable a big performance boost
- Well-cooled and quiet considering its 450W TDP
Gamers who want the ultimate GPU with uncompromising speed will find their match with the 4090. The price-to-performance value may not be outstanding due to the ultra premium pricing, but there are no faster options available.
I can highly recommend the RTX 4090 to gaming and hardware enthusiasts who want the best possible experience. This card ushers in a new generation of GPUs that finally make high fidelity 4K gaming fully achievable.
