Launch MSRPs, release cycles and deals windows as of November 9, 2026.
The NVIDIA RTX 4090 sits one tier above the NVIDIA RTX 4070 Super in NVIDIA's RTX 4000 line-up (Enthusiast vs High-end), so the question is whether the step up is worth it. Against the RTX 4070 Super, the RTX 4090 costs $1,000 more at launch MSRP ($1,599 vs $599, 167% more), has 12 GB more VRAM (24 GB vs 12 GB) and draws 230W more at rated TDP (450W vs 220W).
This GPU is no longer the current generation. It has been replaced by the NVIDIA RTX 5070.
Superseded by RTX 5070
Best for: 1440p gamers who find a well-priced used unit and can accept 12GB VRAM without DLSS 4.
Full details →This GPU is no longer the current generation. It has been replaced by the NVIDIA RTX 5090.
Superseded by RTX 5090
Best for: 4K enthusiasts who can find a well-priced used RTX 4090 and don't need DLSS 4 or Blackwell's efficiency improvements.
Full details →| NVIDIA RTX 4070 Super | NVIDIA RTX 4090 | |
|---|---|---|
| Tier | High-end | Enthusiast |
| Generation | RTX 4000 | RTX 4000 |
| VRAM | 12 GB | 24 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6X | GDDR6X |
| TDP | 220W | 450W |
| Upscaling | DLSS3 | DLSS3 |
| Ray Tracing | ✅ | ✅ |
| Launch MSRP | $599 | $1599 |
| Editor score | 8.2/10 | 9.0/10 |
| Released | Jan 17, 2024 | Oct 12, 2022 |
| Cycle length | ~415 days | ~840 days |
| Cycle advice | Superseded | Superseded |
| Deals advice | Clearance | Clearance |
| Successor | RTX 5070 | RTX 5090 |
New units sell well above MSRP and used units run around $670 as of October 2026 — above the $599 launch price. Delivers ~75% of RTX 5070 performance; only worth it used below $500.
Efficient power draw works with modest PSUs.
Over 2 years of stability optimizations ensure excellent game compatibility.
More VRAM than the RTX 5080 (16GB), relevant for AI workloads and 4K texture packs even in the Blackwell era.
New retail units are scarce and priced above MSRP. The used market (eBay, local classifieds) is the only viable path to value.
Over 3 years of driver optimizations make this one of the most stable GPUs available.
Released Jan 17, 2024, the RTX 4070 Super has been on the market for 2 years 9 months. It has been superseded by the NVIDIA RTX 5070, which launched Mar 6, 2025, so it's no longer a current-generation buy — new stock is clearance, and the rest of the market is second-hand.
Released Oct 12, 2022, the RTX 4090 has been on the market for 4 years. It has been superseded by the NVIDIA RTX 5090, which launched Jan 30, 2025, so it's no longer a current-generation buy — new stock is clearance, and the rest of the market is second-hand.
Both cards are superseded. If you're buying new, their replacements — the NVIDIA RTX 5070 and NVIDIA RTX 5090 — are where current pricing and timing advice apply.
At launch MSRP the RTX 4070 Super is $1,000 cheaper than the RTX 4090 ($599 vs $1,599, 63% less). Per gigabyte of VRAM that's $49.9 for the RTX 4070 Super and $66.6 for the RTX 4090 — the RTX 4070 Super gives more memory for the money. Launch MSRP is only a reference point for a superseded card; its real price is whatever clearance or used stock sells for today.
RTX 4070 Super (deals window to Jun 30, 2027, rated Wait): New retail — no longer in production; remaining new units cost well above the $599 MSRP. Do not buy new.
RTX 4090 (deals window to Jun 30, 2027, rated Wait): New units are listed above $4,400 as of October 2026 and used units sell around $2,500–$3,000 — far above the $1,599 MSRP. Only consider a used unit if it comes well below current RTX 5090 street prices. Otherwise, the RTX 5090 at MSRP is better value.
Our pick: NVIDIA RTX 4090
Is the RTX 4090 worth $1,000 more? That's 167% on top of the RTX 4070 Super's launch MSRP, and it buys you the Enthusiast tier; on the data we track it also has 12 GB more VRAM (24 GB vs 12 GB) and carries a higher editor score (9.0 vs 8.2). The cost side: 230W more rated TDP to cool and power.
Our editor scores favour the RTX 4090 (9.0 vs 8.2), so that's our pick if the budget stretches — otherwise the RTX 4070 Super is the sensible saving.
Buy/Wait and deals ratings come from release-cycle and pricing data, not benchmarks. How we rate →
Where they're level: memory type (GDDR6X) and buy/wait signal (Superseded for both).