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 It has been replaced by the NVIDIA RTX 5090.
Superseded by RTX 5090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 →Mid-cycle — next generation may be on the horizon
Best for: 4K gamers and creators who want Blackwell performance without the 5090's price and power demands.
Full details →| NVIDIA RTX 4090 | NVIDIA RTX 5080 | |
|---|---|---|
| Tier | Enthusiast | Enthusiast |
| Generation | RTX 4000 | RTX 5000 |
| VRAM | 24 GB | 16 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6X | GDDR7 |
| TDP | 450W | 360W |
| Upscaling | DLSS3 | DLSS4 |
| Ray Tracing | ✅ | ✅ |
| Launch MSRP | $1599 | $999 |
| Released | Oct 12, 2022 | Jan 30, 2025 |
| Cycle length | ~840 days | ~850 days |
| Cycle advice | Superseded | Caution |
| Deals advice | Clearance | Caution |
| Successor | RTX 5090 | — |
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.
Delivers excellent 4K frame rates at a lower TDP and price than the 5090 — the practical enthusiast choice.
Same DLSS 4 technology as the flagship, dramatically boosting frame rates in supported titles.
Runs on a 750W PSU comfortably, unlike the 5090's 1000W recommendation.