New flagship, new choice, so which RTX 4090 GPU will you choose?
Up to date: Mar 2, 2023 3:25 pm
01
Greatest general
ASUS ROG Strix RTX 4090 OC
02
Runner up
MSI Gaming X Trio RTX 4090
03
All-in-one
MSI Suprim Liquid X RTX 4090
As the brand new technology of playing cards with the RTX 4000 series comes out we take a look at the flagship with the most effective Nvidia RTX 4090 playing cards. With an anticipated giant enhance in efficiency from the brand new structure, there may be a whole lot of energy anticipated from these.
And that doesn’t come low-cost by way of each worth and energy. Because it comes with a hefty price ticket and upgrading its energy connector. Which is the 12VHPWR new spec, a part of the ATX 3.0 spec it will increase the doable energy from one cable to 600W.
So seeking to get probably the most out of it, you will have power supply to go alongside it. Alongside good cooling and GPU help with its giant energy comes an excellent larger cooling resolution. This implies heftier playing cards with much more warmth coming from them.
But this card has proven a number of the greatest worth of the technology. As each the RTX 4080 and 4070 Ti haven’t had as a lot success.
If you’re struggling to seek out retailers stocking this monster GPU, try our where to buy page or our RTX 4090 stock tracker to see what’s at the moment obtainable.
How significantly better than the RTX 3090 is the RTX 4090?
The RTX 4090 boasts a major efficiency enhance over its predecessor. The RTX 4090 additionally comes with the newest DLSS 3 software program, profiting from synthetic intelligence to extend body charges.
The value distinction is large, nevertheless, whenever you begin taking a look at benchmarks, the latest flagship seems extremely price it.
How will we select and check the most effective RTX 4090?
Testing is a vital a part of the analysis. As such now we have an intensive course of to work out how effectively the cardboard performs and what it could obtain. So we put the playing cards by means of rigorous assessments to make sure they carry out as much as snuff.
With a load of assessments, the efficiency of the cardboard might be evaluated. But in addition the thermal efficiency of the cardboard can also be seen to verify it could sustain with what you’re placing it by means of.
With data of the sector, we all know what to search for in a card. In addition to what to anticipate from totally different merchandise and producers. In addition to bringing collectively different opinions so we are able to present good suggestions.
You’ll be able to examine our how we test GPUs web page for a extra in-depth rationalization.
Continuum Micro Workstation PC (RTX 4090 & Intel i9-13900KF)
CPU
Intel 24-Core i9-13900KF
Storage
2TB NVMe SSD + 6TB HDD
Greatest RTX 4090: Shopping for suggestions
Selecting out one of many many decisions generally is a tough process, with so many variations between them. So with that in thoughts, we define the important thing options to look out for when evaluating the totally different playing cards.
Cooling options
One of many largest variations between AIB playing cards is the customized cooling resolution they are going to use. As they get the PCBs from Nvidia, they then produce the ultimate playing cards you see. These can decide the most effective RTX 4090 so that you can get.
The brand new graphics card has an influence ranking of 450W. Which is analogous to the RTX 3090 Ti and that itself was a really giant card. And the Founder’s Version for the 4090 is by default 3-slots large. This then means some other choices will most definitely be even larger and totally different.
So evaluating the playing cards, there shall be decisions from both air cooling or water cooling. So it’s a must to take into account both a chunky fan-filled alternative. Or choose a liquid-cooled one which will fail however a a lot smaller card that’s more likely to have the most effective cooling and potential.
Dimensions
One other issue when contemplating the RTX 4090, is the scale of the cardboard. This is a vital issue whenever you’re planning a selected construct. Resembling if in case you have a smaller case, an even bigger card could have hassle becoming in.
The Founder’s Version is a 3-slot (61mm) card, additionally with a size of 304mm and a width of 137mm. And we anticipate some other air-cooled option to be even larger. So then it’s a must to fear about GPU sag and the way a lot weight that card supplies.
Though you possibly can take into account the water-cooled provides which can often lower the cardboard down to only two slots. However comes with a cumbersome radiator and followers to suit into your construct.
Worth
Though the RTX 4090 has a set MSRP from Nvidia there might be some variation. It has been introduced it can value $1,599USD/£1,679. So we’d anticipate to see most of them be priced near that.
Though there are elements that can probably enhance the asking worth of a number of the playing cards. Some choices will come overclocked and with increased efficiency so routinely differ and are available as a premium. While others have cooling options like liquid and high quality so as to add to the cardboard and in addition make it extra premium. To allow them to add an extra $100-200 on high.
Specification rundown
Taking a look at a graphics card, there are a number of specs that make it up. These offer you an thought of what to anticipate from it in addition to any variations between totally different choices. So we offer you a quick rundown of what these are.
Frequency
One of many larger elements that may change between fashions is the frequency or clock charge. That is how typically the directions get processed by the GPU chip that creates the picture you see in your show.
So if some supply a better enhance clock, the one when the cardboard is pushing its limits. So some customized playing cards will supply an overclock, which is a better frequency that provides higher efficiency over the opposite choices.
VRAM
The video memory is the body buffer of the graphics card. It reduces the latency and improves the expertise of loading graphics and doing any rendering. As with bigger and sooner reminiscence, you possibly can render bigger resolutions with extra pixels. And the 4090 has a lot with 24GB to make the most of.
TDP
Thermal design energy is the quantity of vitality the cardboard will produce at max utilization. Though now modified to graphics card energy it provides you an thought of the ability consumption you’ll be paying for and the way a lot warmth it will likely be producing.
And at 450W it’s a high-capacity card. So a consideration to how it’s cooled and whether it is price working long run ought to be had.
Greatest RTX 4090 for gaming
ASUS ROG Strix RTX 4090 OC
Execs
- Glorious air cooling resolution
- Pushes efficiency above the remainder of the choice
- Up to date design cooling and aesthetically centered
Cons
- A dearer alternative over the remainder of the picks and can value rather a lot to run
One of many standard favorites takes the highest spot on our listing. It’s the ROG Strix RTX 4090 OC. With an up to date design it additional improves upon its earlier releases.
The design has change into extra rectangular and boxed off. However this may probably be right down to rigidity. The shroud, body, and backplate are diecast. Which means as one construction it’s stronger and is vented for airflow and warmth dissipation. So it can assist to lengthen the lifetime of the cardboard long-term each with thermals and bending.
ROG has additionally improved the cooling of the cardboard with an upgraded system. A brand new vapor chamber and milled warmth spreader on the cardboard to enhance the answer. This goals to enhance warmth switch and motion so it could get dissipated faster. That is from the three commonplace axial followers with improved airflow.
All of this does add as much as a 3.5-slot dimension. The entire card comes with a 357.6 x 149.3 x 70.1mm sizing. Nonetheless, it does accommodate its overclocked excessive TDP that can push it above the competitors. Whereas additionally recommending the usage of a 1000W PSU to make sure the most effective efficiency.
You’ll be able to learn our full ROG Strix RTX 4090 OC review for a full analysis.
Greatest RTX 4090 for video enhancing
MSI Gaming X Trio RTX 4090
Execs
- Up to date cooling to adapt to the upper energy ranking
- Comes with a GPU help to assist with the heavier construct and stop bending
- Robust design with a lightweight function
Cons
- A bit extra of a dated design
One other confirmed card is our runner up the MSI Gaming X Trio RTX 4090. Though it might look the identical general, it does enhance upon its earlier designs as effectively. Because the concentrate on cooling turns into extra vital.
The now thicker card is available in measuring 337 x 140 x 77mm. However all for lodging it’s Tri Frozr 3 thermal design. Beginning off with the brand new Torx 5 followers to enhance the air strain by means of the heatsink.
Together with a nickel-plated copper, heatsink to switch the warmth out of the die rather more effectively. As that is then transferred to the multitude of warmth pipes in full contact. However even for all the additional cooling, there are acoustics in thoughts. And the Wave Curved 2.0 deflectors and Air Antegrade fins optimize airflow and quieter acoustics.
For that, you additionally get the utilization of a twin BIOS so you possibly can choose between efficiency or noise. It additionally encompasses a inflexible plate to attenuate bending, together with loads of thermal pads to enhance the cooling of any additional elements.
Greatest RTX 4090 for creators
MSI Suprim Liquid X RTX 4090
Card: 280 x 140 x 43 mm, Rad: 274 x 121 x 55 mm
Execs
- Glorious cooling to present the cardboard loads of overhead
- Minimizes the cardboard dimension to only 2 slots as a substitute of standard 3.5
- A extra premium design
Cons
- Have to contemplate the place to mount radiator
- Extra shifting components that would fail
Now with such a better energy ranking, we’d anticipate to see extra liquid-cooled choices. These have a significantly better time shifting all that warmth and might supply a little bit of flexibility and dimension decisions. With that the most effective all-in-one RTX 4090 is the MSI Suprim Liquid X.
The Suprim line provides a extra premium providing with increased high quality supplies and a bolder model. And one among its benefits is the a lot smaller card itself. Solely measuring 280 x 140 x 43mm down to 2 slots. So you possibly can match the cardboard in a a lot smaller case and motherboard. So long as you possibly can match the 240mm radiator in with the 470mm size tubes.
The cardboard itself additionally has a Torx 5 fan on it to chill the additional elements you could discover in there not lined by the block. While the followers on the radiator are extra silence oriented with gaskets on the corners.
Then it additionally provides a powerful fashionable backplate for its extra styled design. In addition to sturdy PVC tubing that goals to enhance the retention of its cooling liquid. Additionally, the micro-fin copper base transfers the warmth of its elements.
Greatest RTX 4090 for watercooling loop
Inno3D RTX 4090 iChill Frostbite
Enhance: 2,580 MHz, Base: 2,235 MHz
Execs
- Comes with a water block for simple set up right into a loop
- Rather more compact dimension with its environment friendly cooling
- Loads of performnace and overhead with the design
Cons
- Requires a whole different system for set up and use
- Least quantity of product for the worth
Now should you’re planning an entire liquid-cooled loop, it’s your decision a card with a water block on it to your loop. And so for the most effective water block 4090 now we have the Inno3D iChill Frostbite.
One other strategy to harness the ability of the cardboard is one other strategy to water-cool your GPU. However this fashion it comes with a water block that may plug straight into your entire system loop. This permits for a coherent system able to additionally cooling the remainder of your components.
The producer has additionally improved its design from its earlier generations. Resembling thermal pad thickness adjustment for a greater switch nearer collectively. Together with extra environment friendly water movement with its pipe design.
It additionally has a strengthened backplate for help in opposition to bending over time. And to high, it off provides RGB to the block so as to add some shade to the design. With all that it may be a card pushed additional with all its components and will final a while so long as it’s saved clear.
Greatest finances RTX 4090
Zotac GeForce RTX 4090 Trinity
Execs
- Closest to MSRP for fundamental efficiency of the 4090
- Up to date air cooled design with 360° cutouts to maneuver air out
- Extra flowy and colourful design than others
Cons
- A extra finances oriented product so will lack behind in efficiency
For a extra budget-orientated product, we flip to Zotac. The Zotac Trinity provides the most effective finances choice with the bottom worth in thoughts. It will get you probably the most efficiency tier with out something additional on high so you possibly can take pleasure in it for the most effective worth.
One other evolving design, the AIRO optimizes for improved airflow. This comes with its Icestorm 3 cooling system. Beginning with its three 110mm channels for airflow, shifting extra air right down to its heatsink.
Which can also be a 3.5-slot behemoth to attempt to comprise the ability of the cardboard. It additionally makes use of 9 precision machined heatpipes to maneuver all of it away from the die itself. Pulling it out from the customized vapor chamber. And it has loads of cutouts for all that warmth to flee from the cardboard.
Together with that, the rigidity is strengthened with a die-cast steel backplate to assist the bending. However may even embody a help stand which we’re more likely to see extra off throughout the board. It additionally has loads of RGB round to present you some shade and customization.
Ultimate phrase
So there’s a listing of the most effective RTX 4090s. There are many totally different choices to choose from relying on which space of the cardboard you’re aiming for. So you’ve loads of picks proper now however probably extra coming for the flagship. With this, you’ll get to take pleasure in DLSS 3 and far increased efficiency throughout the board.
There are inventory points at the moment for the 4090, with no inventory or scalped costs. So it is perhaps a greater choose to search for older gen {hardware} for higher pricing and barely decrease efficiency.
Greatest RTX 4090 FAQ
Which model of RTX 4090 is greatest?
In our rankings, now we have a number of choices by way of the most effective RTX 4090s. So all spherical greatest now we have the ASUS ROG Strix OC. For the runner up now we have the MSI Gaming X Trio. While the most effective all-in-one is the MSI Suprim. With INNO3D iChill Frostbite taking the best-waterblocked card that may be added to your loop. Whereas for the most effective finances now we have the ZOTAC Trinity OC.
How a lot is an RTX 4090?
The MSRP of the RTX 4090 is $1,599 USD/£1,679/€1,949. Though the worth of some playing cards will fluctuate from that.
Which 4090 is the quickest?
The Colourful iGame RTX 4090 Neptune OC boasts the quickest enhance clock of the customized RTX 4090 fashions. With its liquid cooler, it could attain a lift of as much as 2,640 MHz, which is 5% increased than the reference mannequin.
Is RTX 4090 loud?
The loudness of the cardboard will depend upon which customized mannequin of the cardboard you choose from. Though with the thickness of the 4090, you’re unlikely to see it spin up too excessive. As simply the heatsink will permit a whole lot of warmth away. With the followers shifting it away so except you get coil whine or a poor mannequin you shouldn’t actually hear it.
Is the RTX 4090 good for gaming?
The cardboard is the truth is the best choice for gaming at the moment. It’s a gaming card and it’s on the high of the leaderboard, however it’s an costly alternative so may not be price it to you.
Is the RTX 4090 price it?
Seeing if the cardboard is price it to you relies on a whole lot of elements. However from our RTX 4090 review now we have decided for its worth and efficiency it’s a sensible choice. With a big enhance over the earlier technology, it creates a significantly better worth for efficiency. Particularly in comparison with the remainder of present lineup.
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