Nvidia’s RTX 4090 continues to hold an ironclad grip over the top-tier GPU market in the absence of any real competition from both AMD and Intel. The former has nodirect GPU competitionthat trades blows with the RTX 4090; the RX 7900XTX trades blows with the RTX 4080 (and therecently released $1000 RTX 4080 SUPER) at best.
The latter has its sights set firmly on the mid-range GPU market, where it continues to deliver excellent value. Neither of the two has a BFGPU competitor that exists in the same performance class as Nvidia’s RTX 4090, which as a result, stands as the king of the hill with no consumer-grade competition in sight. The RTX 4090 is also available inmany prebuilt optionsfor gamers who are unwilling to build their rig. Alternatively, powerfulRTX 4090-based gaming laptopstake center stage as some of the most powerful PCs money can buy.
Game Rant also publishes a regularly updatedRTX 4090 PC buildsguide aimed at helping gamers, enthusiasts, and power users get the most out of their budgets.
ASUS TUF GeForce RTX® 4090 OG OC Edition
The OG TUF Play
The ASUS TUF GeForce RTX 4090 OG OC Edition is one of the fastest RTX 4090 SKUs on the market, dwarfed only by its more enthusiast-grade RTX 4090 Strix OC alternative.It borrows design features from the last generation RTX 3000 series TUF GPUs, making for a great contrast for users wanting a choice alternative from the more subtle design the current generation TUF GPU offers.The TUF RTX 4090 OG OC is a mouthful, but so is its performance, which sees the factory overclocked GPU rubbing shoulders with some of the best SKUs in the market with relative ease in 2024.
The ASUS TUF GeForce RTX 4090 OG OC Edition offers a top-of-the-line RTX 4090 experience, sans the premium that comes with its more expensive RTX 4090 Strix SKU. The TUF Gaming-branded OG OC variant clocks in within spitting distance of its more expensive Strix alternative, making it a great GPU to get for those looking for a middle ground between the Founder’s Edition MSRP and that of the ROG Strix OC.
It comes with a tri-fan air cooler that leverages a large heatsink along with three capable dual ball-bearing fans that allow it to idle when not in use (under 55 degrees). It also has a generous VRM configuration that allows it to stay ahead of the curve, even as it doesn’t match the Strix OC’s 24+4 configuration currently. The ASUS TUF GeForce RTX 4090 OG OC leverages a vented exoskeleton that takes advantage of its design to keep thermals considerably lower than the competition while running considerably quieter than most of its peers.
The RTX 4090 TUF OG OC currently trades for around $1800 to $1900 at most retailers, even as pricing has been on the rise lately for its competitors. This is more than the $1600 the Founder’s Edition commands on paper but lower than most of its high-end competition, which often pushes past $2000. This does, in effect, also make it a relatively solid contender for thebest value RTX 4090currently, due to other SKUs costing considerably more across a variety of retailers while offering lower or equivalent performance.
MSI Suprim Liquid X GeForce RTX 4090
Water-cooled, Dual Slot Efficiency
One of the more distinct cooling designs on the market, the MSI Suprim Liquid X GeForce RTX 4090 takes the top spot for ray tracing graphics cards. This dual cooling system pays off, allowing the 4090 to maintain a high base speed of over 2640 MHz with relative ease. It can be tweaked to as much as 3000 Mhz and above core clocks in some cases.
The MSI Suprim Liquid X RTX 4090 GPU is a unique card in its own right, given its two-slot plus radiator configuration, which allows it to fit in a lot of cases that some of the beefier four-slot RTX 4090 GPUs would never be an upgrade option for. Overall, the liquid-cooled RTX 4090 from MSI is a good-looking minimalist design coupled with the highest base boost clocks available on an RTX 4090. MSI’s proprietary Center software makes it possible to achieve these levels.
The Suprim Liquid X carries the best-in-class VRM solution for the RTX 4090 with a 26+4 phase solution, further enhancing performance. While this card may be a great option for players looking to push the limits and get the most out of their gaming PC, less technically skilled players who want a high-performance GPU may not find this particular style as convenient as others.
Given its hard 530W power limit, there are concerns that the GPU might be limited in terms of overclocking potential for enthusiasts. People have already found ways around it, making it a safe choice for both people wanting a clean, smaller build and enthusiasts looking to eke out more performance from the card.
At ~$1900 for one of the best RTX 4090 SKUs in the market that can fit in a variety of PC cases in addition to running quieter and cooler than most (if not all) of its competition, the MSI Suprim Liquid X RTX 4090 GPU cuts above and beyond most of its peers. Simply put, it delivers better value for enthusiasts, gamers, and power users alike.
It also happens to be one ofthe best liquid-cooled RTX 4090 SKUsout there even as it goes toe to toe with ASUS’s TUF offering above in terms of performance and value for money with the latter barely eking out a win in Game Rant’s own ranking.
ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX™ 4090 White OC
ROG Strix OC Goes White
The Asus ROG Strix 4090 OC needs no introduction. It commands its own presence in the current market as the fastest GPU money can buy. It also arguably looks much better in white.With 24GB of fast GDDR6X RAM on offer in addition to 16,384 CUDA cores on offer in addition to plenty of extras in the box for users looking to get one of the best-looking GPUs in the business, the Strix 4090 OC is a premium GPU and it looks and feels the part too in 2024
The ASUS RTX 4090 Strix White OC is ASUS’s white-themed take on what is widely considered one of the best RTX 4090 GPUs users can get for excellent performance in terms of clocks and thermals out of the box versus its peers. It comes at a significant premium as a result of its excellent 24+4 phase VRM design but ASUS’s ask is one that most enthusiasts will pay due to the promise of better overclocking as well as stellar build quality.
The OC variant can push much higher clocks, in some cases easily breaching the 3000 MHz barrier (in Game Rant’s tests) while sporting a patented vapor chamber that keeps temperatures far lower than the competition. It pairs extremely well with theASUS ROG Herculx Anti-Sag Holdereven as it comes with 2 dedicated PWM FanConnect headers for users looking to allow the GPU more control over chassis fans to keep temperatures low.
This makes it a fan favorite for many looking for an RTX 4090 this year, which is already an enthusiast-grade GPU to begin with. The Strix’s high-end offering is simply the best of the best on offer for performance alone. For collectors, this GPU also comes with a free ROG-themed ring in tow for US consumers, making it a great pickup to join the ROG family with the emblem in tow.
The ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX™ 4090 White OC has crept back up in price recently due to supply limitations in general, sending prices of most other RTX 4090 SKUs soaring even as itsblack-themed sibling seems to be in short supply at a variety of retailers at the time of writing, but the situation might change by the time this article is updated.
For those interested in picking up what is easily one of the most premium gaming GPUs money can buy sans its limited edition ROG Matrix Platinum sibling, we can also recommend checking out Game Rant’s detailed interview of howthe ASUS RTX 4090 Strix OC stacks against the competitionas one ofthe most performant RTX 4090 unitsin the market.
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Founders Edition
The Stock Option
NVIDIA’s top-of-the-line GPU, the GeForce RTX 4090 Founders Edition, contains 16,384 CUDA Cores. It can support up to 8K gaming and allows for actual, smooth ray-tracing gameplay. The Founders Edition card is also an excellent GPU variant in terms of cooling, VRMs, and value.
There are no bad choices when it comes to RTX 4090s since all AIB and stock units tested have maintained a certain level of performance while running much cooler than their predecessors. This is partially due to optimizations that have taken place between generations. It also has to do with NVIDIA consistently ramping up the pressure as it ups the ante on its AIBs to improve product design by releasing increasingly competent Founders Edition designs with each iteration, which does in a way turn up the heat on AIBs to deliver better stock and higher-end options of the same.
Despite this, the NVIDIA RTX 4090 Founders Edition is an exception, given how close it is to most AIBs performance-wise. Additionally, it is built to last with performance that does not come at the cost of noise, making it a key benchmark for other RTX 4090 SKUs, which has seen AIB partners follow through. It does run considerably warmer than the competition, however. This does not impede performance, remaining within respectable bounds, even for an RTX 4000 series GPU thanks to Nvidia leveraging a vapor chamber design.
Considering its feature set and design, Game Rant can wholeheartedly recommend it to PC builders and enthusiasts alike as the best value-for-money RTX 4090 out there –but only if it can be found at MSRP. Unfortunately, the RTX 4090 Founders Edition is currently out of stock at Nvidia.com, and third-party retailers and vendors tend to charge a premium.
As of now, the GPU costs more than any of its peers at most retailers that have stock that we track. This means that players might be forced to consider better, faster, and cheaper options than the Founders Edition, including the ASUS TUF model above.
MSI GeForce RTX™ 4090 GAMING X SLIM 24G
The Budget All-Rounder
The MSI GeForce RTX™ 4090 GAMING X SLIM 24G is a slightly thinner more compact RTX 4090 SKU that offers a decent factory overclock, RGB lighting, and dual BIOS functionality out of the box for gamers and productivity users alike.
The MSI GeForce RTX™ 4090 GAMING X SLIM 24G is a more compact, yet factory-overclocked take on the RTX 4090 as opposed to MSI’s beefier Gaming X SKUs. It can push even further than its relatively high 2595MHz if MSI Center is turned on even as it offers a mix of features including RGB lighting, a dual BIOS mode (Silent or Gaming), and a design that keeps thermals in check, even when the GPU is being pushed.
The MSI GAMING X SLIM 24G is not MSI’s highest tier RTX 4090 GPU - that would be its Suprim X SKU but it does deliver solid build quality including an expansive cooling mechanism, a metal backplate, and an upgraded set of fans, all of which make it feel comparable to its higher end sibling for the most part, sans the cost.
At ~$1900 for a unit at the time of writing, the MSI GeForce RTX™ 4090 GAMING X SLIM 24G is not the cheapest model on the market but it does offer a solid, relatively budget-friendly option that offers features, higher boost clock speeds and build quality that is normally a hallmark of a higher-end RTX 4090 SKU sans the premium that most GPU manufacturers attach to them.
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4090 AERO OC 24G
An All-White Odyssey
The Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4090 AERO OC 24G is Gigabyte’s all-white-themed take on Nvidia’s most expensive consumer-grade CPU to date.It comes with a slightly higher boost clock versus the stock unit out-of-the-box, a discrete anti-sag holder, and an impressive 4-year warranty for those who register it online with Gigabyte.Other features include a dual bios mode for both performance and quiet operation, a large vapor chamber and a tri-fan cooling system that Gigabyte claims has 2.1x the longevity of its competition.
For gamers and enthusiasts looking for an all-white take on the RTX 4090, the Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4090 AERO OC 24G is one of the main contenders in any search. While it does come with a slightly more conservative advertised boost clock out of the box, the mammoth cooler that the AERO brings to the table more often than not tilts things in its favor, keeping temperatures in check while allowing the GPU to boost considerably higher than many of its competitors.
To its credit, the Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4090 AERO OC 24G runs cool and quiet for the most part and few users report coil whine issues even as Gigabyte backs its GPU with a comprehensive 4-year (registration required) warranty plan even as the GPU sits on the tail end of most currently available RTX 4090 SKUs in terms of pricing.
Not only does Gigabyte’s highest-end AERO GPU yet look impressive in most white-themed PC builds but it also comes with a dual-BIOS offering that allows users to choose between a higher performance preset or a quieter operation. The impressive looks do however come at the cost of size and while the AERO makes for a great unit to display, it does, as a result of a quad-slot design that is bulky, and while it comes with a supporting sag holder to assist it, not fit in smaller cases in general, something that can become a cost-added upgrade for certain users while eliminating it from contention for most Small Form Factor (SFF) PC builds.
Should You Get An RTX 4090 In 2024?
There are plenty of reasons for both getting an RTX 4090 and waiting on the fence for one. For its proponents, the RTX 4090 is currently the fastest gaming GPU money can buy, bar none thanks to no competition in play from Nvidia’s rival, AMD. It also happens to pack 24GB of fast GDDR6X VRAM, making it a relatively future-proof option. It also benefits from an ongoing promotion from Nvidia that sees users get a free copy of Star Wars Outlaws with a brand new RTX 4000 series GPU.
On the other side of the equation, many are on the fence while some are exercising patience with expectations of an upcoming RTX 5000 series launch in the coming days leaving many waiting for a bigger next-generation upgrade than the RTX 4090 in the coming days. At the same time, the RTX 4090 remains a prohibitively expensive GPU for most users except enthusiasts willing to pay the $1600+ price needed to get one currently.
The emergence of Nvidia’s RTX 4080 SUPER as a viable, significantly cheaper alternative that can still handle 4K gaming for the most part. This is even as it shaves off as much as $600 or more from most PC upgrade costs unlike the pricier RTX 4080 had people opting for Nvidia’s finest simply based on price-to-performance ratios, making for a much less favorable comparison.
With all that being said and done, the RTX 4090 has no equals currently. If one wants to run a game maxed out in terms of fidelity and frame rate alike, it continues to be the best bet for gamers across the board, nearly 2 years after it launched. If you are an enthusiast or professional gamer who wants the very best or if you need the fastest desktop-class GPU possible for productivity needs, the RTX 4090 is an easy recommend, albeit at a price tag most would be loath to pay.
How to Pick the Best RTX 4090 in 2024
While Nvidia has consistently been improving its Founders Edition GPU designs over time (and the RTX 4090 FE is nothing to scoff at even versus the highest-end third-party models), multiple AIBs offer their own variants of Nvidia GPUs with different tiers on offer. Some go for a low-profile approach, as opposed to the standard stock unit, which allows for more case options and for Nvidia’s most powerful GPU to date to cater to ITX builds.
Others, however, pack in as many aesthetic gains and cooling solutions as possible to bolster higher sustained clock speeds, as well as to allow gamers to match custom PC themes that suit their needs. This means that there is a wide playing field regarding RTX 4090 variants available for those who are willing to splurge and pick up the latest and greatest GPU available, even if it sets them back as much as $2,500 in some cases.
With the unveiling of the new RTX 4070, 4070 Ti, and RTX 4080 SUPER GPUs in January 2024, which also saw a large price cut for the RTX 4080S, Nvidia’s RTX 4090 has a significant price gap before it comes into play. It essentially prices itself out of most gamers' reach except the most enthusiast-grade builds that have budgets to match or for users looking to get the best GPU for deep learning, AI model training, or other productivity-related tasks such as 3D renders.
Things to consider when picking an RTX 4090 GPU
At the end of the day, picking an RTX 4090 GPU that works for gamers, enthusiasts, and power users boils down to the following factors:
Overclockability: Most RTX 4090 SKUs currently come with a factory overclock compared to the Founders Edition. This does not mean that they have no overclocking headroom beyond that but that they default to a higher boost clock than the latter. Some of the higher-end models can be pushed considerably higher and tend to boost well beyond their rated boost clocks. This is due to a mix of ‘binning’ a better chip, better power delivery and power limits, as well as better cooling from the get-go for end-users.
Form Factor: The RTX 4090 draws immense amounts of power under load and generates a substantial amount of heat as a result. This requires excellent cooling as part of the package, but also essentially means that the GPU is considerably larger than most of its predecessors. Not allgaming PCs or casesare equipped to deal with most of the RTX 4090 SKUs in the market, which are tri-slot or larger cards, sometimes long enough to rival small cases.
Smaller form factor RTX 4090s are available but generally come in liquid-cooled alternatives, which can cost considerably more and require a 240mm or 360mm mounting area for the radiator and fan components. However, these can be crucial to space-limited PCs looking to pack the best GPU in the business. Gamers and enthusiasts alike need to look into the maximum size and form factor their current PC cases allow and pick a GPU accordingly.
Price: The RTX 4090 is one of the most expensive GPUs intended for high-end consumers. That doesn’t necessarily mean that it can’t cost even more when it comes to third-party AIBs, many of which have high-end SKUs priced at as much as $2500 at times. At the highest end of the spectrum, GPUs like the limited edition ROG Matrix RTX 4090 can cost as much as $3200 a pop if users can get their hands on them.
This means that despite the high initial cost, finding an RTX 4090 GPU that works for end users can be a journey that can have further increased costs. Finding the right GPU that offers the requisite tier of performance and build quality while matching one’s budget is a key factor when picking a suitable RTX 4090 SKU.
Availability: Due to an ongoing US government ban on China and other countries, a gold rush that began in October 2023 for RTX 4090 GPUs at any price has disrupted supply and redoubled demand overnight. The effects linger with many retail RTX 4090 SKUs, especially at the premium end of the spectrum, which is much harder to find at retailers even at the start of 2024.
This does, in a nutshell, mean that users might not find their preferred SKU and have to settle for a different variant in many cases. Likewise, prices and availability will remain in flux until the dust settles, meaning that much of the ability to reserve, price match, or otherwise procure the RTX 4090 may no longer apply to Nvidia’s flagship GPUs at many retailers.
At the same time, the availability of the RTX 4080 SUPER at a much more competitive $1000 price tag versus the RTX 4090 does seem to have affected prices for the more premium RTX 4090 SKUs, bringing it lower, possibly due to users having a more viable alternative, at least in local markets when it comes to Nvidia’s ultimate consumer-grade RTX 4000 series GPU.
Building Around the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090
The Game Rant team has a plethora of guides on offer that advise on how to build around the latest RTX 4090 off a shelf, in a laptop, or simply in a prebuilt PC. This allows users to make a more informed decision using one or more of the following guides and/or reviews:
FAQ
Q: Is the RTX 4090 the fastest Nvidia card so far?
Yes, as of today, the RTX 4090 is by far the fastest GPU on the market. Some variants, such as the ASUS ROG Strix, are simply better and faster third-party versions of the RTX 4090 itself.
Q: Are there any RTX 4090s that do not perform well?
No, all RTX 4090s perform at least as well as the Founders Edition. This is because of how Nvidia requires partners to provide SKUs that perform at a minimum tier of performance with their provided GPU chips.
Q: What is the fastest Nvidia RTX 4090?
The fastest available consumer-grade GPU available right now is the Asus ROG Strix 4090 OC or the MSI Suprim X Liquid. Both are listed above. In terms of raw overclockability, the ROG Matrix Platinum GeForce RTX 4090 is the fastest consumer-grade GPU, but it is currently out of stock at multiple retailers, making the former options an ideal choice.
Q: How much VRAM does an RTX 4090 have?
All RTX 4090 cards are uniform in memory specification and come with 24GB of GDDR6X VRAM.
