NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 vs NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 wins — The RTX 5090 is the fastest consumer GPU available; the RTX 4090 is the rational choice for anyone without an unconditio…
Scores: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 8.5/10 · NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 7/10
The RTX 5090 is the fastest consumer GPU available; the RTX 4090 is the rational choice for anyone without an unconditional budget.
Spec-by-spec comparison
| NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 |
|---|
| CUDA Cores | 21,760 | 16,384 |
|---|
| VRAM | 32GB GDDR7 | 24GB GDDR6X |
|---|
| Memory Bandwidth | ~1,792 GB/s | ~1,008 GB/s |
|---|
| TGP | 575W | 450W |
|---|
| DLSS Generation | DLSS 4 (MFG) | DLSS 3 |
|---|
| 4K PT Gaming Lead | +35-40% | Baseline |
|---|
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
What works
- Fastest consumer GPU available — 35-40% ahead of 4090 in gaming
- 32GB GDDR7 at 1,792 GB/s — massive VRAM and bandwidth for AI workloads
- DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation enables 8K playable gaming
What doesn't
- 575W TGP requires 1000W+ PSU and excellent case airflow
- $2,000+ MSRP; $2,400-3,000 street price in early 2026
- Very large physical card — 340mm+ dual or triple slot designs
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090
What works
- Available used at $900-1,100 — $900-2,100 less than 5090 at street prices
- Still excellent 4K Ultra gaming with DLSS 3
- 24GB VRAM sufficient for nearly all 2026 gaming and most professional workloads
What doesn't
- No DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation
- 450W TGP already high; 5090 at 575W is even more demanding
- Used purchase with no manufacturer warranty unless certified refurbished
Bottom line
Our pick: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090.
Browse all comparisons | Trending