The Best RTX 4090 Graphics Card May Not Be The Best For You?

NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 4090 is currently the fastest gaming GPU. There is no competition, and it is about 25% faster than the RTX 4080 Super and AMD’s flagship, RX 7900 XTX. It is also very expensive, with a starting price of $1,600, and sadly, it has not dropped since due to high demand and low supply. It’s only natural that buyers would look for “the best RTX 4090” in the market. But is there really a “best RTX 4090”? Or are big sites just taking advantage of the keyword and spitting out recommendations without actually using/testing one or at least knowing what the graphics card is all about?

Is There A Best RTX 4090?

So, is there a definitive ‘best RTX 4090 ‘? The answer is not a straightforward yes or no. If you search for the ‘best RTX 4090,’ you’ll find Reddit users sharing their experiences and preferences. While these insights are valuable, they may leave you with more questions than answers, as the ‘best’ is subjective and varies based on individual needs and preferences.

If you visit the other ranking pages, they are obviously made to monetize the website without adding more information. While it is entirely acceptable to monetize a website, I believe buyers should be equipped with the information to make better purchasing decisions.

Some sites are just spitting random models, depending on what’s available in the market or what’s hot. They don’t even give you performance numbers, benchmarks, power usage, temperatures, etc. These sites are just spitting out the same details found on the manufacturers’ websites. Not to mention, some of these sites are just using AI to scrape and regurgitate information.

Buzz Words

What does “best for gaming” even mean? Does it mean an “X” RTX 4090 model is better for gaming than a “Y” model? Absolutely not! Why? Because all of the RTX 4090 can play games, no single RTX 4090 graphics card model is better for gaming than other models. They will all perform similarly; why? Because all RTX 4090 have the same AD103 chip with 10240 CUDA cores from NVIDIA. And on top of that, NVIDIA controls how these graphics cards perform. They don’t allow manufacturers to deviate significantly from the specs they outline. 

Gone are the days of the ‘KINGPIN edition’ graphics card. Even Asus’ flagship ROG Strix graphics card doesn’t really provide a noticeable (in-game) performance difference from Zotac’s cheaper model Trinity OC graphics card. However, the more noticeable difference between the two cards is the aesthetics, design, and pricing, with the Asus ROG Strix being more expensive than Zotac’s graphics card. It’s important to note that while the Asus ROG Strix cards are very premium in terms of aesthetics and design, you are paying more for the looks rather than performance.

The most these manufacturers can do is make their graphics card look better aesthetically and give it a much better cooling solution and built quality/design. Now, having a good to excellent cooling solution matters since it will allow the GPU to run cooler, allowing it to boost higher and longer, resulting in a slightly higher performance.

Should I Buy the OC version or Non OC?

Graphics card prices are constantly changing. With very few RTX 4090 stocks in the market, expect prices to change depending on the seller as well. That’s why I’d stick to first-party retailers as much as possible, like Amazon or Newegg, since third-party sellers usually jack up the prices.

While the OC edition might be the more attractive option, the overclock is usually very minimal if you look closely at the graphics card specs. For example, an Asus TUF RTX 4090 OC Edition card has a default 2565 MHz boost clock speed out of the box. Meanwhile, the non-OC TUF RTX 4090 has a default boost clock speed of 2520MHz. That’s only a measly 45MHz difference. That’s not really going to change the graphics card’s performance significantly. Even the non-OC version can match that and will boost higher thanks to NVIDIA Boost technology. Again, NVIDIA controls how these GPUs perform, not Asus, not MSI, not Gigabyte, etc.

So, if you are not worried that the retail box you purchase doesn’t have the word “OC” printed on it, get the cheaper one when you are shopping. Usually, the non-OC version is more affordable. But sometimes, the OC version is priced similarly or lower. It depends on the retailer and supply.

How Fast Is An RTX 4090 GPU?

As mentioned, the RTX 4090 is currently the fastest GPU in the market, bar none. It is about 60% faster than its predecessor, the RTX 3090, and about 25% faster than the current-gen RTX 4080 Super. By the way, if you don’t want to spend more than $1,700 on a graphics card, the RTX 4080 Super is the next best thing you can get if you want/need an NVIDIA GPU.

The percentage numbers I mentioned don’t account for ray tracing, DLSS, or frame generation. Factoring in these features, the RTX 4090 is even faster than the RTX 3090 and RTX 3090 Ti. Not to mention, the DLSS 3 AI Frame generation, or frame smoothing technology, is an exclusive feature of the RTX 40 series GPUs.

Below are some benchmark results to give you an idea of how fast an RTX 4090 is. The RTX 4090 was benchmarked together with a Ryzen 7700X CPU. You can expect more performance when paired with a faster (gaming) CPU, like Ryzen 7800X3D or Intel’s Core i9 14900K / Core i7 14700K.

Should you get an RTX 4090 Card? Do you even need one?

Generally, people who plan to buy an RTX 4090 GPU know they need an RTX 4090 GPU. But if you are still new or your knowledge about these GPUs is limited, here are bullet points.

• The RTX 4090 is generally for 4K gaming or ultrawide 1440p resolution monitors.
• Note that the RTX 4090 is not a value-oriented GPU. It’s NVIDIA’s flagship and perhaps a halo product. Get one if you really need it or have the money to spend.
• Don’t get an RTX 4090 for gaming if you only have a 1080p or 2560×1440 monitor. You are leaving performance on the table. Not unless you plan to upgrade your monitor shortly.
• If you plan to play games with ray tracing or path tracing enabled, the RTX 4090 can easily handle most graphics-intensive games.
• If you do AI-related workloads, an RTX 4090 will do wonders, thanks to its high CUDA core count and fast GDDR6X memory.
• You will need a PCIE 5-ready PSU (800W at least) with the 16-pin 12VHPWR or 12V-2×6 connector. For older PSUs, you’ll need four (individual, not pigtail) 8-pin PCIe power connectors.
• All RTX 4090 graphics cards are usually big and chunky. They typically occupy three PCI slots, and some are even wider or longer. Make sure your PC case or chassis can support the graphics card model you are getting.

These are some of the points I can think of right now. There may be more reasons why you should or shouldn’t get an RTX 4090 GPU.

So, what is the best RTX 4090 graphics card?

I think the best GeForce RTX 4090 graphics card is the cheapest available or close to MSRP when you plan to buy one. As I mentioned above, prices fluctuate. Of course, it is more complex than that, as there are other factors. But generally, if you prioritize function/performance over aesthetics, pick the cheaper one available at the time.

Now, there are models that I would personally avoid. I would avoid a water-cooled RTX 4090 graphics card. Why? Because if the pump fails, it is not easy to get a replacement. Not to mention, they are very expensive compared to air-cooled ones. 

I would also avoid some entry-level models from a manufacturer. You’ll know if it’s an entry-level model because it usually looks and feels cheap. It doesn’t have RGB lighting, and its design is uninspiring compared to other models offered by the same manufacturer.

My RTX 4090 Top Picks

If I were to buy an RTX 4090 graphics card right now, I would choose the cards below. For reference, I would prioritize prize and design over “bells and whistles.”

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Founders Edition

NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 4090 Founders Edition is supposed to be the cheapest, with an MSRP of $1,600. Unfortunately, NVIDIA no longer stocks it and RTX 4090 FE cards are sold by third-party retailers at jack-up prices. Nevertheless, I would pick the Founders Edition if I spot one near MSRP.

NVIDIA’s Founders Edition cards are not based on stock or reference configuration. It features an industrial design with a tested and proven unique cooling solution. It also has a neutral-looking or professional-looking design, with premium build quality, mostly metal. 

However, the Founders Edition lacks RGB lighting and doesn’t have a gamer vibe. Also, while its cooling solution is good, other manufacturers have a better one. As a result, other RTX 4090 models slightly outperform the RTX 4090 Founders Edition.

PNY RTX 4090 24GB XLR8 Gaming VERTO EPIC-X RGB and Gigabyte’s RTX 4090 Gaming OC

When I published this article, these two graphics cards were the cheapest, currently retailing for $1,799 only. Amazon also sells them, so you can expect better pricing. However, that could change very soon, once they are sold out or when third-party sellers are the ones selling them instead of Amazon.

These cards have nothing particularly unique about their design or cooling solution. PNY’s card works as expected, with a minor RGB lighting. Meanwhile, Gigabyte’s Gaming OC is big and chunky. There are reports about Gigabyte cards cracking near the PCI slot. While true, it is best to use a graphics card support or bracket to support the heavy weight of the card and prevent it from sagging.

Their respective cooler shrouds are made of plastic. Compared to the Founders Edition or Asus’ ROG Strix / TUF cards, they feel cheap on hand. At the end of the day, it would fall to personal preference.

MSI RTX 4090 Gaming X Trio 24G Graphics Card

MSI’s GeForce RTX 4090 Gaming X Trio falls somewhere in between. It doesn’t have a metal cooler shroud, like the RTX 4090 SUPRIM X or Founders Edition and ROG Strix. Though its back plate is metal. But it has a gamer vibe with a dash of RGB lighting. Aesthetically speaking, I prefer MSI’s Gaming X Trio to PNY or Gigabyte’s.

It also has an excellent cooling solution and design. It runs silently, and the GPU’s temperature is usually kept under control. The only disadvantage is that I only see it sold by third-party retailers, resulting in slightly higher pricing than PNY’s or Gigabyte’s RTX 4090.

ASUS ROG Strix and TUF GeForce RTX 4090 OC Edition Graphics Cards

If you want the most premium one, with all the bells and whistles, the Asus ROG Strix RTX 4090 is undoubtedly the one you are looking for. Both the ROG Strix and TUF RTX 4090 have premium build quality, an all-metal body, and simply scream premium. The cooling solution is also one of the best, if not the best. As a result, Asus’ RTX 4090 cards tend to perform silently and boost longer and higher compared to other RTX 4090 graphics cards.

Just pick whether you like the ROG Strix look, which has a more aggressive gaming look, or the TUF card, with its rugged and industrial design. My only issue with these graphics cards is that the Asus ROG Strix is one of the most expensive, if not the most expensive, air-cooled RTX 4090 graphics cards. On top of that, both the ROG Strix and TUF models seem to suffer from coil whine noise. However, the loudness or if there is coil whine noise varies from one card to another.

GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 4090 AERO OC White Graphics Card

Another RTX 4090 graphics card I saw sold by Amazon and retailing under $2,000 is the Gigabyte RTX 4090 AERO OC. It is a white graphics card, and honestly, I would only consider this if I plan to build a white-themed gaming PC. Aside from being a white graphics card sold directly by Amazon, I don’t have any other reason to pick this card.

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Specifications