Quick answer
The RTX 4090 is a S-tier graphics card in our GPU tier list (gaming score 100, RTX 4090 = 100), built for 4K gaming. With a fast CPU it averages about 202 FPS at 1080p, 170 FPS at 1440p and 105 FPS at 4K in a typical AAA game at high settings. 24GB of VRAM is enough for ultra textures at 1080p, 1440p and 4K. Its maker recommends a 850W power supply.
RTX 4090 Specs
| Spec | RTX 4090 |
|---|---|
| Maker | NVIDIA |
| Architecture | Ada Lovelace |
| VRAM | 24GB GDDR6X |
| Memory bus | 384-bit |
| Boost clock | 2520 MHz |
| CUDA Cores | 16,384 |
| Board power | 450W |
| Maker’s recommended PSU | 850W |
| Upscaling / frame generation | DLSS 4 upscaling and DLSS 3 Frame Generation (2x) |
| Released | 2022 |
| ComputingSkill gaming score | 100 (S tier) |
Specs: RTX 4090 official page. Scores are ComputingSkill’s gaming index, positioned from publicly reported review averages, not our own benchmarks (methodology).
RTX 4090 Gaming Performance (Estimated FPS)
Average FPS from the FPS Calculator’s formula for a typical AAA game, paired with the Ryzen 7 9800X3D so the card is the limit wherever it can be. Figures marked * are held back by the CPU instead. Ray tracing, upscaling and frame generation are not included; they are estimates, not benchmarks.
| Settings | 1080p | 1440p | 4K |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low | 202* | 202* | 179 |
| Medium | 202* | 202* | 137 |
| High | 202* | 170 | 105 |
| Ultra | 200 | 136 | 84 |
| Esports titles, high | 565* | 510 | 315 |
In the GPU tier list the RTX 4090 sits in S tier: fastest cards: 4K at high settings with room to spare. In games that support it, DLSS 4 upscaling and DLSS 3 Frame Generation (2x) can raise these frame rates, at some cost in image quality or input latency. How upscaling and frame generation work.
Is 24GB of VRAM Enough on the RTX 4090?
24GB of VRAM is enough for ultra textures at 1080p, 1440p and 4K. The rule is the GPU VRAM Calculator’s minimum for each resolution and texture level (1080p: 6GB at high, 8GB at ultra; 1440p: 8GB / 10GB; 4K: 12GB / 14GB). Short on VRAM, a game stutters or swaps textures rather than simply losing frames.
Best CPU for the RTX 4090
At 1080p even the fastest CPUs in our list leave part of the RTX 4090 unused, which is normal for the fastest cards. At 1440p the Ryzen 5 7600X is the most modest current CPU that keeps it under a noticeable bottleneck. A faster CPU still helps in esports and CPU-heavy games, where the CPU sets the frame rate far more often.
| CPU | 1080p | 1440p | 4K | Pair page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core i3-12100F | CPU ~59% | CPU ~40% | Balanced | — |
| Ryzen 5 5600 | CPU ~56% | CPU ~35% | Balanced | — |
| Core i5-12400F | CPU ~53% | CPU ~31% | GPU-limited | — |
| Ryzen 5 7600 | CPU ~43% | CPU ~16% | GPU-limited | — |
| Ryzen 7 5800X3D | CPU ~41% | CPU ~13% | GPU-limited | Full pairing |
| Ryzen 9 7900X | CPU ~39% | CPU ~10% | GPU-limited | Full pairing |
| Core i5-14600K | CPU ~39% | CPU ~10% | GPU-limited | — |
| Core i9-13900K | CPU ~34% | Balanced | GPU-limited | Full pairing |
| Core i9-14900K | CPU ~31% | Balanced | GPU-limited | Full pairing |
| Ryzen 7 7800X3D | CPU ~26% | GPU-limited | GPU-limited | Full pairing |
| Ryzen 7 9800X3D | CPU ~19% | GPU-limited | GPU-limited | — |
“GPU-limited” is normal and means the card is the part working hardest. A CPU % is how much of the card goes unused. Check any other pair in the PC Bottleneck Calculator.
What PSU Does the RTX 4090 Need?
The RTX 4090’s maker recommends a 850W power supply, and the card itself draws up to about 450W. With a Ryzen 7 9800X3D, the PSU Calculator estimates a full-load draw of about 693W for the whole PC and recommends a 950W unit (30% headroom, rounded up). A power-hungry CPU such as a Core i9 needs more, so check your exact parts.
Similar Graphics Cards
| Graphics card | Score | VRAM | FPS 1440p high | Board power | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RTX 5090 | 123 | 32GB | 202 | 575W | 2025 |
| RTX 4090 | 100 | 24GB | 170 | 450W | 2022 |
| RTX 5080 | 88 | 16GB | 150 | 360W | 2025 |
| RX 7900 XTX | 85 | 24GB | 145 | 355W | 2022 |
Head-to-head comparisons: RTX 4090 vs RTX 5090 and RTX 4090 vs RTX 5080.
Try the RTX 4090 with your own CPU, resolution and settings in the FPS Calculator, or see which games it runs in Can I Run It.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the RTX 4090 good for 1440p gaming?
Yes. Its gaming score of 100 clears the 1440p line (50) our PC Upgrade Calculator uses, and it averages about 170 FPS at 1440p high in a typical AAA game with a fast CPU.
What CPU should I pair with the RTX 4090?
Even the fastest CPUs in our list leave some of this card unused at 1080p, which is normal for the fastest cards. Pair it with a top gaming CPU and play at 1440p or 4K.
What power supply does the RTX 4090 need?
Its maker recommends 850W. With a Ryzen 7 9800X3D our PSU Calculator suggests 950W for the whole PC.
Is 24GB of VRAM enough on the RTX 4090?
24GB of VRAM is enough for ultra textures at 1080p, 1440p and 4K.