GeForce RTX 4090 vs GeForce RTX 4070 Ti

Winner:
GeForce RTX 4090
Main Difference:
Double the VRAM and twice the memory bandwidth for high-end rendering and display tasks
Page Summary:
GeForce RTX 4090 is the top performer with 24GB VRAM and massive bandwidth, handling intensive rendering and high-resolution gaming more effectively than the GeForce RTX 4070 Ti, which serves as a capable option for less demanding workloads.
Last updated:
January 31, 2026

The Essentials

GeForce RTX 4090

MSRP:
$1,599
See Current Price
Spec Sheet:
Core Count:
16384
Thread Count:
Base Clock:
2235 MHz
Boost Clock:
2520 MHz
Integrated Graphics:
VRAM:
24.0 GB
L3 Cache:
24.0 GB
TDP:
450 W
Socket:
384 bit
Bus Width:
384 bit
Release Date:
2022-09-20
Gaming Scores:
(Higher is better)
Resolution
Rasterization
Ray Tracing
1080p
95.2
97.7
1440p
88.6
87.1
4K
79.3
79.3
Gaming and Productivity Scores:
(Higher is better)
Gaming
Productivity

GeForce RTX 4070 Ti

MSRP:
$799
See Current Price
Spec Sheet:
Core Count:
7680
Thread Count:
Base Clock:
2310 MHz
Boost Clock:
2610 MHz
Integrated Graphics:
VRAM:
12.0 GB
L3 Cache:
12.0 GB
TDP:
285 W
Socket:
192 bit
Bus Width:
192 bit
Release Date:
2023-01-03
Gaming Scores:
(Higher is better)
Resolution
Rasterization
Ray Tracing
1080p
70.6
69.3
1440p
59.8
54.5
4K
47.1
44.6
Gaming and Productivity Scores:
(Higher is better)
Gaming
Productivity
Note about scores:
We measure this card's performance against the absolute best GPU currently available. The numbers show the percentage of performance you get compared to the market leader at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K resolutions, with the leader at 100. These scores are aggregated from a wide range of different games to create a reliable average. However, keep in mind that performance in specific titles may deviate from this average depending on how that game is optimized.
Note about scores:
We measure this processor's performance against the absolute best CPU currently available. The numbers show the percentage of performance you get compared to the market leader in both gaming and workstation tasks, with the leader at 100. These scores are aggregated from a wide range of different games and applications to create a reliable average. However, keep in mind that performance in specific software may deviate from this average depending on how that program is optimized.

Performance Deep Dive

GeForce RTX 4090
Gaming Analysis:

This hardware acts as a visual powerhouse for high-resolution gaming, tackling the dense pixel counts of 4K with a level of composure that typically makes 1440p feel like a light workload. While many cards find themselves struggling to maintain fluid motion at 3840 x 2160, this unit stays responsive across nearly any title you load. It serves as the definitive pairing for high-end 4K displays where standard silicon often begins to stutter or drop frames.

The 24 GB of GDDR6X memory provides a massive buffer for texture quality, allowing you to maximize every slider and use high-resolution texture packs without hitting a hardware wall. In modern games that demand heavy memory resources, you avoid the hitching or asset pop-in that can impact cards with 8GB or 12GB capacities. It offers enough headroom to ensure that your experience remains smooth even as upcoming releases push for more VRAM usage.

  • Ray tracing performance is a core strength of the Ada Lovelace architecture, utilizing 128 dedicated cores to process complex lighting and reflections so efficiently that high visual fidelity rarely compromises playability.
  • The 384-bit memory bus sustains a wide data path, which helps prevent the bandwidth limitations that can lead to frame time spikes during intense on-screen action.
  • DLSS 3 frame generation provides a tool to keep movement fluid in massive open-world environments where the simulation might otherwise be limited by CPU throughput.
  • At 1440p, the card has so much performance overhead that it often waits on the rest of the system to catch up before it reaches full utilization.

Engaging heavy features like path tracing in demanding titles does not turn the screen into a slideshow. Where previous generations often struggled with the latency and visual artifacts of these settings, this hardware maintains a sense of immediate response. It is a rare piece of technology that allows you to move past the settings menu and simply focus on the game. To support this tier of hardware alongside a capable processor, a 1000W power supply is recommended for stable operation.

GeForce RTX 4070 Ti
Gaming Analysis:

The GeForce RTX 4070 Ti operates as a high-performance specialist for 1440p gaming. This hardware maintains high frame rates on maximum settings in nearly any modern title at that middle resolution. While it provides a strong experience, the narrow memory bus can impact performance in complex scenes at higher resolutions, potentially leading to less fluid frame delivery when the action becomes heavy during native 4K play.

The 12GB of GDDR6X VRAM represents a capable ceiling for modern games. You can usually set texture sliders to high levels at 1440p without the immediate threat of the hitching or micro-stuttering often seen on cards with smaller memory buffers. However, that capacity means you may need to manage settings more closely in future titles. In the most demanding software, 12GB can feel the pressure of high-resolution asset streaming, offering a shorter architectural lead than cards equipped with 16GB or 24GB buffers.

  • 1440p Performance: This is the primary target for the card. Expect fluid visuals across the majority of current AAA releases without having to compromise on graphical fidelity.
  • 4K Performance: Results are more mixed here. You will likely rely on upscaling technologies to keep motion smooth because native rendering at this resolution can lead to heavy performance drops in intense sequences.
  • Ray Tracing Reality: The Ada Lovelace architecture handles complex lighting effectively. Because it features 60 dedicated third-generation RT cores, you can keep reflections and shadows active while maintaining a playable experience.
  • DLSS 3 Advantage: Frame Generation technology serves as a significant tool for this specific card. It uses the Optical Flow Accelerator to insert extra frames, which increases visual smoothness in supported titles without putting additional strain on the primary rendering path.
  • Bus Width Limitation: The 192-bit memory bus is relatively narrow for a card in this performance tier. This technical choice is the primary reason the hardware can struggle at 4K, as it cannot move data as quickly as higher-tier cards with wider memory paths.

When paired with a 1440p high-refresh monitor, this card is a precise tool that stays crisp and maintains fluid motion. If you are using a 4K display, be prepared to adjust settings to avoid a sluggish result. It is a premium product with a launch MSRP of $799 designed with a very specific, high-fidelity target in mind. For a stable system, a 700W power supply is a sensible pairing for this hardware.

GeForce RTX 4090
Productivity Analysis:

While the hardware is exceptional for high-resolution entertainment, its utility in a professional environment shifts from amusement to a practical reduction of downtime. The transition from rendering frames to processing large datasets or complex 3D scenes relies on the heavy internal overhead provided by the Ada Lovelace architecture. It functions as a workstation-grade tool that happens to fit into a consumer-focused gaming system.

The 24 GB of GDDR6X memory acts as an essential foundation for anyone handling architectural visualization or intricate textures that would overwhelm lesser hardware. When working with professional rendering engines, the capacity to keep a massive scene within the dedicated video memory prevents the significant slowdowns that occur when a system is forced to rely on slower system RAM. This buffer allows for a more continuous creative process where you can keep multiple heavy applications open simultaneously without the interface becoming unresponsive or sluggish during a long edit.

  • The inclusion of dual 8th-generation NVENC encoders with AV1 support means that rendering out high-resolution video projects happens with impressive speed, effectively freeing up the system for other tasks sooner.
  • A massive memory bandwidth of 1010.0 GB/s ensures that data travels quickly enough to keep the playback of raw 8K footage feeling fluid rather than disjointed as you scrub through a timeline.
  • The 16384 cores provide a reliable level of support for CUDA-accelerated applications, which remains a key factor for stability when using industry-standard software for animation or 3D modeling.
  • With 82.6 TFLOPS of FP16 compute performance, the card manages local artificial intelligence workloads and heavy computational tasks with a speed that moves projects toward completion much faster than mid-tier alternatives.

Operating this equipment requires an awareness of its physical and thermal demands within a case. The power requirements are substantial, making a 1000W power supply a necessary part of the build to ensure the system remains stable under the persistent load of a long render. It represents a heavy investment in professional efficiency, where the primary return is the time saved by moving past the technical limitations of your hardware. By removing the friction from the production cycle, you can devote your focus to the quality of the project itself rather than managing the settings of your software.

GeForce RTX 4070 Ti
Productivity Analysis:

While this hardware excels at 1440p gaming, the GeForce RTX 4070 Ti also functions as a specialized workstation component for creative professional tasks. Moving from leisure to production changes the focus from raw frame counts to the practical limits of your hardware during heavy exports or 3D scene manipulation. You need to determine if 12GB of memory provides enough headroom for your specific projects or if the technical ceiling will create friction in your daily workflow.

The 12GB of GDDR6X VRAM serves as a functional middle ground for most modern design and editing suites. It provides sufficient space to handle complex 3D scenes in applications like Blender or to manage multi-layered 4K video timelines without the immediate performance degradation seen on cards with smaller memory buffers. However, that capacity represents a firm limit that can be tested by demanding software. If you work with massive 8K textures or intricate physics simulations, you might find the hardware struggling to store the necessary data, which can lead to slowdowns when the buffer overflows.

Choosing this Ada Lovelace architecture means you can rely on the established CUDA ecosystem for professional stability. This is often a critical factor for specialists who require their software to function correctly without extensive troubleshooting. While other options might offer more raw memory, they often lack the same level of integrated support for professional renderers. You are opting for a system where the hardware and drivers are tuned for reliability, ensuring that your render finishes as expected when deadlines are tight.

  • The 504.2 GB/s memory bandwidth provides a responsive experience when you are scrubbing through high-bitrate video files or moving the playhead across a crowded timeline.
  • Dedicated third-generation Ray Tracing cores handle the heavy calculations for lighting and shadows, which allows compatible rendering engines to complete tasks much faster than previous generations.
  • The dual 8th-gen NVENC engines provide full hardware support for the AV1 codec, enabling high-quality video exports and streams at lower bitrates without putting a heavy load on the CPU.
  • With 40.1 TFLOPS of compute power, local AI tools such as noise reduction or generative image features react with speed and precision.
  • The 192-bit memory bus is a efficient path for standard professional assets but can become a bottleneck if you attempt to push massive datasets through the pipeline simultaneously.

Time acts as a primary currency in any professional environment, and this card manages that resource effectively for the majority of users. It offers enough performance for a freelancer to handle complex 3D and video projects without the constant lag associated with budget-tier builds. You do not have the massive memory leash found on flagship enthusiast cards, but you also avoid the high entry cost associated with those top-tier models. It remains a balanced and stable workhorse for creators who need to deliver high-quality results on a schedule. This hardware is efficient and reliable, and for many creative workflows, it provides exactly the right amount of capability. To maintain stable performance under heavy production loads, a 750W power supply is a recommended pairing for this specific build.

GeForce RTX 4090
Feature Analysis:

A typical 450W power draw creates a significant thermal reality that demands a serious commitment to case airflow and cooling management. Integrating this much heat density into a standard chassis means you are no longer building a simple desktop but managing a piece of high-performance machinery. While the base specifications suggest an 850W power supply, a 1000W unit is the more stable path to accommodate the sudden power spikes this silicon often produces. This requirement ensures the system remains functional during heavy loads and prevents the abrupt shutdowns that can occur when the hardware pulls maximum current from the rail.

Managing the physical installation involves handling a 16-pin power connector that requires careful routing to maintain a secure and flush connection. The stiffness of the cable and any necessary adapters can create friction in narrower cases where the distance between the card and the side panel is limited. Ensuring a clean, straight seating of the power lead is a vital step for long-term reliability and physical safety. This hardware is physically dominant in size and weight, often requiring a support bracket to prevent the PCB from sagging or putting undue stress on the PCIe slot over time.

  • The PCIe 4.0 x16 interface provides the full available bandwidth of 31.5 GB/s to ensure no data bottlenecks occur between the system and the GPU.
  • A 24 GB VRAM buffer offers vast headroom for high-resolution 4K textures and provides enough capacity to handle complex local AI workloads without the system slowing down.
  • The Ada Lovelace architecture utilizes a 384-bit memory bus to maintain high throughput which keeps frame delivery consistent during visually dense moments.
  • Physical dimensions on many models extend well beyond three slots in width and often exceed 330mm in length, which restricts your choice of compatible mid-tower enclosures.

This is a component that settles into the build as a permanent fixture of your workflow and demands that the rest of the PC matches its tier. Relying on a high-airflow mesh case is essentially mandatory to prevent the internal air temperature from rising to levels that would trigger thermal throttling. If you are willing to solve these power delivery and ventilation challenges before you press the power button, the hardware rewards you with a level of stability that remains unmatched in the consumer market. It is a build choice for those who want to move past the limitations of standard hardware and focus entirely on the output of their machine.

GeForce RTX 4070 Ti
Feature Analysis:

The 285W TDP creates significant heat that demands a case with focused airflow to keep the fans from reaching a distracting hum during long gaming or rendering sessions. While the base recommendation for this hardware is 600W, that figure leaves very little breathing room for the modern power spikes common in high-end components. To maintain system stability and provide enough headroom for a complete build, a 700W power supply is the safest choice for this specific configuration. This ensures the unit remains reliable when the GPU hits maximum current draw during complex scenes or heavy visual calculations.

Managing the physical 1x 16-pin power connector is a necessary part of the build process for this Ada Lovelace card. If your power supply is an older model, you will likely need to use a provided adapter which can be rigid and difficult to route. You must account for the space required between the card and the side panel of your chassis, as forcing the cable to bend too sharply can lead to connection issues. This requirement makes a newer power supply with a native cable a very helpful addition for a cleaner and more secure interior layout.

  • The 12GB VRAM buffer offers a comfortable ceiling for 1440p but provides less room for error if you attempt to push high-resolution texture packs or massive professional 3D datasets.
  • The 192-bit memory bus acts as a narrower path that can limit data speeds when the card is pushed toward its architectural limits.
  • The PCIe 4.0 x16 interface provides the full bandwidth available to the card, ensuring there is no communication bottleneck between the GPU and the rest of the system.
  • The 285W power draw requires a cooling solution that can effectively move hot air out of your case to prevent other components from soaking up excessive heat.
  • The January 2023 release date means this hardware is built on a mature architecture that benefits from stable drivers and widespread professional software support.

Including a 12GB framebuffer at the launch MSRP of $799 is a design choice that defines where this card fits in a long-term setup. It is a specialized tool for 1440p that delivers a premium experience without the massive footprint or power requirements of the flagship tier. You are opting for a card that values architectural efficiency and refined software features over the brute force of a massive memory pool. For users who stay within its intended resolution targets, this hardware remains a stable and high-performing centerpiece for years to come. It requires a thoughtful approach to cooling and power delivery, but the result is a balanced system that handles modern visuals with precision.

GeForce RTX 4090
Full Tech Specs:
Feature Specification
Name GeForce RTX 4090
MSRP $1,599
Release Date 2022-09-20
Chipset Manufacturer NVIDIA
Memory Size 24 GB
Memory Type GDDR6X
Memory Bus 384 bit
Memory Clock 1313 MHz
Memory Bandwidth 1010.0 GB/s
Base Clock 2235 MHz
Boost Clock 2520 MHz
Shading Units 16384
Ray Tracing Cores 128
TMUs 512
ROPs 176
Pixel Rate 443.5 GPixel/s
Texture Rate 1290.2 GTexel/s
Compute Power (FP16) 82.6 TFLOPS
Compute Power (FP32) 82.6 TFLOPS
Compute Power (FP64) 1.3 TFLOPS
Architecture Ada Lovelace
Process Size 5 nm
Interface PCIe 4.0 x16
Power Connectors 1x 16-pin
TDP 450 W
Suggested PSU 950 W
GeForce RTX 4070 Ti
Full Tech Specs:
Feature Specification
Product Name GeForce RTX 4070 Ti
MSRP $799
Release Date 2023-01-03
Manufacturer NVIDIA
Memory Size 12 GB
Memory Type GDDR6X
Memory Bus 192 bit
Memory Clock 1313 MHz
Memory Bandwidth 504.2 GB/s
Base Clock 2310 MHz
Boost Clock 2610 MHz
Shading Units 7680
Ray Tracing Cores 60
TMUs 240
ROPs 80
Pixel Rate 208.8 GPixel/s
Texture Rate 626.4 GTexel/s
Compute Power (FP16) 40.1 TFLOPS
Compute Power (FP32) 40.1 TFLOPS
Compute Power (FP64) 626.4 GFLOPS
Architecture Ada Lovelace
Process Size 5 nm
Interface PCIe 4.0 x16
Power Connectors 1x 16-pin
TDP 285 W
Suggested PSU 700 W

Final Verdict

Selecting between these two hardware choices comes down to how much memory bandwidth and capacity your workflow actually requires. The GeForce RTX 4090 features 24GB of GDDR6X memory and 1010 GB/s bandwidth, which allows it to handle massive assets without slowing down. This card is roughly 50 to 60 percent faster than the GeForce RTX 4070 Ti in heavy gaming scenarios using path tracing or high fidelity settings. While the GeForce RTX 4070 Ti is a strong performer, its 12GB buffer and 192-bit bus can lead to performance drops when textures and geometry exceed what the local memory can hold. High bandwidth helps load textures fast and keeps frame delivery consistent during chaotic scenes.

For professional applications, the gap is even wider because the GeForce RTX 4090 avoids the penalties that occur when a GPU has to swap data with system RAM. Local AI model inference and complex 3D scenes benefit significantly from the 384-bit bus and massive shading unit count. The GeForce RTX 4070 Ti is more efficient regarding power draw and heat, but it simply cannot match the raw compute power found in the flagship. When building a system around these parts, remember that the top-tier card demands a heavy-duty power supply and plenty of space inside the chassis. The hardware remains extremely relevant for anyone who hates compromising on visual settings or render times.

  • Buy GeForce RTX 4090 if you need the 24GB VRAM for professional rendering, local AI development, or the highest possible gaming performance at extreme display resolutions without hitting memory limits.
  • Buy GeForce RTX 4070 Ti if you want a more power-efficient card for standard gaming workloads and do not anticipate running projects that require more than 12GB of video memory.

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