The GeForce RTX 4090 has made a spectacular debut on the market, driven by promises of exceptional performance. Heralded as a major generational leap, this new high-end graphics card from Nvidia is already generating a lot of buzz. But beyond the marketing hype, what's it really worth? And more importantly, who is it for?
Overall rating: ⭐ 4.4 / 5
- Unparalleled performance in 4K Ultra
- High-end manufacturing quality and finishes
- Exceptional and quiet cooling system
- 24GB of VRAM for the most demanding games and applications
- Very high price
- Large size and weight
- High energy consumption
- This graphics card is a powerhouse, the gaming performance is excellent. The finishes are of high quality, coming from a 3080 from the same manufacturer I am not disappointed. In terms of performance, this GPU handles the most demanding games without compromise in 4K Ultra resolution. The 24Gb of VRAM is more than sufficient. The ventilation of this card is impressive, with quiet and efficient fans that keep the temperature below 60 degrees, even during intensive use.
Overall rating: ⭐ 4.5 / 5
- Exceptional 4K performance
- Efficient and very quiet cooling
- Neat design and high-quality finish
- Great stability in all circumstances
- Very bulky (3 PCI Express slots)
- Requires a large case
- Relatively high energy consumption
- Terribly powerful in 4k gaming, silent, stable, does not heat up much.
- Beautiful appearance, top-notch finish.
- Be careful, it is so thick that it takes up 3 spaces at the back of the tower.
Table of Contents
A monster of power… and dimensions
Right out of the box, the RTX 4090 graphics card is impressively large. With its three or four slots, depending on the model, it's massive and requires a case large enough to accommodate it. This size is explained by its cooling system, which is fortunately very efficient. Under load, the card remains at reasonable temperatures, and operating noise is well controlled, a positive point considering its power consumption.
Nvidia has focused on power efficiency, but don't be fooled: nominal power consumption reaches 450 watts, 100 watts more than the RTX 3090. While the performance-per-watt ratio is significantly improved, overall power consumption remains very high. You'll therefore need to plan for an adequate power supply (at least 850 W, ideally 1000 W or more) to avoid saturating the system.
The strengths and limitations of the RTX 4090
Pros : The RTX 4090 impresses with its unmatched raw power , delivering a smooth 4K and 8K , even on the most demanding titles. DLSS 3.0 and dual AV1 encoders significantly improve the visual quality and efficiency of video streams. Content creators and avid gamers benefit from a card capable of handling the most demanding projects without compromise.
Cons : Its very high price and high power consumption limit it to a niche market . Limited availability and quickly selling stocks frustrate buyers. In addition, at 1080p or 1440p, the card is often limited by the processor , and the performance gain over previous generations may seem less spectacular to average gamers.
Outstanding performance, but not for everyone
In terms of raw power, the Nvidia RTX 4090 is a beast. It outperforms the RTX 3090 Ti by an average of 30 to 60 percent, depending on the game and graphics settings. This gain is especially noticeable in 4K. The card is so powerful that it's often CPU-limited, even with the latest high-end models. At 1080p and 1440p, the difference is minimal, and CPU bottlenecking
This raises a crucial question: is the RTX 4090 really useful for the majority of gamers? Clearly not. This card is designed for 4K, and even 8K thanks to the addition of DLSS 3.0. Indeed, the RTX 4090 is the first card on the market to offer a smooth gaming experience at over 60 frames per second in 8K on certain titles, a technical feat that is almost never mentioned by Nvidia.
DLSS 3.0 and AV1 encoding: the real assets
While the computing power is impressive, the real innovation lies in the embedded technologies. DLSS 3.0 uses artificial intelligence to generate intermediate frames, significantly increasing the number of frames per second. This technology works in perfect synergy with the processor, enabling spectacular performance gains.
However, as many tests have shown, DLSS 3.0 can introduce a slight latency, imperceptible in most single-player games, but potentially annoying in competitive titles. Fortunately, Nvidia has also integrated Reflex , which helps reduce this latency. In practice, in most games, you won't notice the difference.
Nvidia has also integrated a dual AV1 , a more efficient and performant video codec. This feature is particularly interesting for content creators and streamers, as it allows for higher video quality at a lower bitrate. However, its use is still limited due to poor support on current platforms and software.
Who is the Nvidia RTX 4090 for?
The RTX 4090 is clearly not aimed at casual gamers. With a launch price of around €2,000 , it's aimed at a very specific niche of users capable of fully exploiting its extreme power. We can identify three main profiles:
Esports enthusiasts : those looking to play in 4K , or even 8K , with maximum refresh rates and all graphics options enabled, without compromise.
Content creators and professionals : graphic designers, video editors or 3D developers, who need raw computing power to manage very demanding projects, such as 8K rendering or complex simulations.
Techies and early adopters : users who are always on the lookout for the latest technologies , such as DLSS 3.0 , AV1 encoding or advanced Ray Tracing, and who have the budget for a complete high-end configuration.
The RTX 4090 is a standout , designed for those who demand maximum performance and are willing to invest to experience the extreme . For the average gamer or 1080p/1440p gamer, its capabilities remain largely oversized, and a more affordable card might suffice.
A credible alternative: the AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX
Currently, the RTX 4090 has no direct competitor in terms of raw power , but the AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX is positioned as the most serious alternative. The ASUS TUF GAMING Radeon RX 7900 XTX OC Edition offers 24 GB of GDDR6X , a PCIe 4.0 bus , and full connectivity with HDMI 2.1a and DisplayPort 2.1 . Its cooling solution is based on axial fans , ensuring controlled temperatures even under load.
While less powerful than the RTX 4090 in raw power, the RX 7900 XTX is generally more affordable and offers good value for money . It also features AV1 encoding FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution) technology , AMD's alternative to Nvidia's DLSS, which improves fluidity and image quality in compatible games.
For those on a more limited budget, the RTX 4070 Ti or RTX 4080 are more reasonable alternatives, offering a good compromise between performance and cost .
Here is a comparison table RTX 4090 vs ASUS TUF GAMING Radeon RX 7900 XTX OC Edition
| Characteristic | Nvidia RTX 4090 | ASUS TUF GAMING Radeon RX 7900 XTX OC Edition |
|---|---|---|
| GPU | Ada Lovelace | RDNA 4 |
| Video memory | 24GB GDDR6X | 24GB GDDR6X |
| Interface | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 4.0 |
| Connectivity | 1× HDMI 2.1, 3× DisplayPort 1.4a | 1× HDMI 2.1a, 3× DisplayPort 2.1 |
| AI Technologies | DLSS 3.0, Multi Frame Generation, Tensor cores | FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), Ray Accelerator cores |
| Ray Tracing | Yes, advanced | Yes, native RDNA 4 |
| Video encoding | AV1, NVENC | AV1, VCN |
| Consumption (TDP) | ~450 W | ~355 W |
| Cooling | Multiple fans on custom (depending on model) | 3 axial fans, ASUS TUF design |
| Indicative price | ~2 000 € | ~1 000–1 200 € |
| Recommended use | 4K/8K extreme gaming, heavy 3D creation, AI | Smooth 4K gaming, great creative experience, best value for money |
Overall rating: ⭐ 4.5 / 5
- Exceptional 4K performance
- Efficient and very quiet cooling
- Neat design and high-quality finish
- Great stability in all circumstances
- Very bulky (3 PCI Express slots)
- Requires a large case
- Relatively high energy consumption
- Terribly powerful in 4k gaming, silent, stable, does not heat up much.
- Beautiful appearance, top-notch finish.
- Be careful, it is so thick that it takes up 3 spaces at the back of the tower.
Customer reviews: what users think
Feedback from early buyers of the RTX 4090 is mixed. While the performance is unanimously praised , it's the price and availability that are the main focus of criticism. On Reddit , Trustpilot , and specialist forums, comments reflect a combination of admiration and frustration:
Positive Review : “This is an impressive card. I upgraded from the 3080 to the 4090 and the gain in 4K is huge. You can finally push all games to the max without compromise.”
Mixed Review : "The price is absurd. It's the best card on the market, but at this price, it's definitely not aimed at the general public. I hope future models will be more affordable."
Negative review : "I had a lot of trouble finding one. The stock went up in minutes. It's frustrating to see such a launch policy."
These reviews highlight one reality: the RTX 4090 impresses with its power , but remains a very exclusive , reserved for those willing to invest heavily . Mainstream gamers or those with a more limited budget will likely have to wait for later models or turn to more affordable alternatives.
Conclusion: a dream card… but not for all budgets
The Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 remains without a doubt the most powerful graphics card on the market . Its performance is spectacular, especially in 4K and 8K , and technologies like DLSS 3.0 or the dual AV1 encoder mark real advances for gamers and content creators.
However, its high price and high power consumption reserve it for a very specific clientele . If you are a demanding 4K gamer, a creative professional or a new technology enthusiast with a substantial budget, the RTX 4090 is an unbeatable choice .
For everyone else, it may be wiser to wait for the next generations or look at more affordable alternatives from AMD or Nvidia. The graphics card market is changing, and the future may well offer more accessible products without sacrificing too much performance.
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