NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090: The Flagship of the Future or Excessive Power?
April 2025
Architecture and Key Features
The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 is built on the Ada Lovelace Next architecture—an evolution of the previous generation optimized for maximum performance in gaming and professional tasks. The chips are manufactured using TSMC's 4nm process, allowing for a 30% increase in transistor density compared to the RTX 3090 Ti.
The main advantages of the RTX 4090 are the DLSS 4.0 technology, third-generation Ray Tracing, and support for FidelityFX Super Resolution 3.0 from AMD (via open APIs). DLSS 4.0 utilizes neural networks to enhance image resolution with minimal loss of quality, while improved RT cores deliver realistic lighting and reflections even in dynamic scenes.
Memory: Faster, Larger, More Efficient
The RTX 4090 is equipped with 24 GB GDDR6X with a 384-bit bus and a bandwidth of 1.1 TB/s. This is 15% higher than the RTX 3090, allowing for the seamless processing of 8K textures. For games with high graphical settings (e.g., Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty), such memory capacity eliminates FPS drops due to asset streaming.
In professional applications like Blender or Unreal Engine 6, 24 GB enables work with heavy scenes and complex simulations. For example, rendering a 3D model in Cinema 4D is 40% faster compared to the RTX 4080.
Gaming Performance: 4K — The New Standard
The RTX 4090 showcases phenomenal results even in the most demanding projects:
- Cyberpunk 2077 (with ray tracing + DLSS 4.0): 98 FPS at 4K.
- Alan Wake 2: Enhanced Edition: 120 FPS at 4K (maximum settings).
- GTA VI (beta version): 85 FPS at 4K with ultra detail.
For 1440p and 1080p resolutions, the card is somewhat excessive—here, it hits CPU limitations. However, for VR games and headsets with 8K displays (such as Meta Quest Pro 2), the RTX 4090 becomes indispensable.
Ray tracing no longer "kills" FPS: thanks to third-generation Tensor cores, the load from RT is reduced by 50%.
Professional Tasks: Not Just for Gaming
The RTX 4090 is sought-after in fields such as:
- Video Editing: Rendering an 8K clip in DaVinci Resolve takes 35% less time compared to the RTX 3090.
- 3D Modeling: In Blender, the scene render cycle is reduced from 12 to 7 minutes.
- Scientific Computing: Support for CUDA 5.5 and OpenCL 3.5 accelerates simulations in MATLAB and Machine Learning projects.
Support for NVLink is also significant for professionals: pairing two RTX 4090s can yield up to a 90% performance boost in rendering tasks.
Power Consumption and Thermal Management
The TDP of the RTX 4090 is 480 W, necessitating a serious cooling approach. Recommended:
- Power supply of at least 1000 W with an 80+ Platinum certification (e.g., Corsair AX1000).
- Cooling system: Three-slot coolers (ASUS ROG Strix LC) or liquid cooling for overclocking.
Under load, temperatures do not exceed 75°C when using the stock cooler, but compact cases without good ventilation may experience throttling.
Comparison with Competitors
The main competitors of the RTX 4090 in 2025 include:
- AMD Radeon RX 8900 XT: Cheaper ($1200 vs. $1599 for the RTX 4090), but weaker in ray tracing (25-30% lag in Cyberpunk 2077).
- Intel Arc Battlemage XT: Good for machine learning ($1100), but drivers still lag in game optimization.
The advantage of the RTX 4090 lies in the NVIDIA ecosystem: DLSS, reflex technology, and VR support.
Practical Tips
1. Power Supply: Minimum of 850 W, but preferably 1000 W.
2. Case: Full-tower with 6+ fans (e.g., Lian Li PC-O11 Dynamic).
3. Drivers: Disable "experimental" features in GeForce Experience as they may cause conflicts in professional software.
4. Platform: For full compatibility, a motherboard with PCIe 5.0 and a processor no weaker than Ryzen 7 7800X3D or Intel Core i7-14700K is needed.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- World-leading performance in 4K and VR.
- Support for DLSS 4.0 and RTX IO for instant texture loading.
- Ideal for professionals.
Cons:
- Price of $1599—not accessible to everyone.
- Requires powerful cooling and energy systems.
- Excessive for monitors with resolutions below 1440p.
Final Conclusion: Who Should Consider the RTX 4090?
This graphics card is for those who are not willing to make compromises:
- Gamers playing in 4K/8K or using VR.
- Video Editors and 3D Artists who value rendering speed.
- Enthusiasts building a PC for the long term.
If your goal is to play games at 1440p or work with office applications, the RTX 4070 Ti or AMD RX 7900 XT would be a more sensible investment. The RTX 4090 is not just a GPU; it is a symbol of technological supremacy in 2025.