NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090
Cutting-Edge Graphics Performance
General Overview.
NVIDIA RTX 4090 Stats & Performance.
When it comes to sheer performance, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 stands out against its predecessors. Not only that, but this high-performance GPU can also be likened to fitting a race car engine into a Fiat hatchback. Some gamers might find its capabilities to be more than they need or can fully utilize. The frequency of the card’s GPU operates at 2235 MHz and can also be boosted to 2520 MHz. Its memory configuration includes 24 GB of GDDR6X memory connected via a 384-bit interface, which means that it will run at an effective memory clock speed of 21 Gbps.
Clock Speeds and CUDA Cores
The RTX 4090 boasts a base clock of 2,235 MHz and a boost clock of 2,520 MHz, significantly higher than the RTX 3090 Ti’s base clock of 1,560 MHz and boost clock of 1,860 MHz. Additionally, the RTX 4090 has a 52.38% increase in CUDA cores, with 16,384 compared to the RTX 3090 Ti’s 10,752. These enhancements contribute to the card’s remarkable performance gains, making the improvements less surprising.
Gaming Performance and DLSS 3
In terms of gaming performance, the NVIDIA RTX 4090 outperforms the competition, being the only card capable of running top PC games in native 4K resolution with ray tracing enabled without relying on upscaling. DLSS 3 technology further enhances performance in supported games, delivering smooth frame rates and high-quality visuals.
Design and Cooling
For those who have closely followed NVIDIA’s product releases and have eagerly waited for a new GPU, the RTX 4090 Founders Edition will appear very familiar. It retains the silver-trim and black heat sink design seen in its predecessors. The card features two fans, one on the front and one on the back, and is noticeably larger than the RTX 3090. To manage the substantial heat output from its powerful components, the card is equipped with a robust triple-slot cooling solution. This increased size is supported with a support bracket to secure it within the case, an aspect highlighted by its robust build and the provision of screw holes along the back for bracket installation.
The GeForce RTX 4090 measures 304 mm in length, 137 mm in width, and 61 mm in height.
Power Connector and Controversy
NVIDIA has opted for a 12VHPWR power connector for the RTX 4090, moving away from the standard 8-pin ATX 2.0 connectors used by many other graphics cards. Initially, there were concerns about these connectors shorting out and melting. However, NVIDIA has explained that those issues where at the fault of the user, because of the incorrect connection and power cable. Since the initial reports, additional problems have been rare, suggesting that the concerns regarding the 16-pin connector have largely been resolved.
CPU Bottleneck and Gaming Experience
However, the RTX 4090’s immense power can lead to CPU constrictions in some gaming setups. During testing, the GPU outpaced the capabilities of the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D, particularly in the less that friendly GPU-intensive games. This resulted in a situation where even games with demanding ray tracing settings, like Guardians of the Galaxy, hit performance ceilings due to CPU limitations.
Target Audience
The RTX 4090 is designed for the most graphically demanding tasks, blurring the line between gaming and professional 3D content creation. While it excels in delivering some of the fastest frame rates in games like Cyberpunk 2077, it is arguably more suited for users engaged in high-end graphics work, such as those in the fields of animation and CGI production.
For most gamers, particularly those playing less demanding indie games or esports titles, looking at options lower down the GPU stack may offer a better balance of performance and cost.
In conclusion, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 is an unparalleled graphics card that sets new standards in performance and efficiency. However, its full potential is best realized in systems equipped with top-tier CPUs and used for the most demanding graphical applications.
Overall, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 sets a new benchmark in the GPU market with its advanced architecture, substantial computational power, and comprehensive feature set, catering to gamers and professionals demanding the highest performance
