RTX 4080 vs RTX 4090: Worth Upgrading?

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Abde Manaf

At Tech4Gamers, I began as a comparison writer, analyzing GPU and CPU performance. Now, I focus on writing reviews and contributing to the best-ofs section, sharing personal insights after hands-on testing.

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Looking for a new NVIDIA graphics card and seeking the best value? My RTX 4080 vs. RTX 4090 comparison has you covered. I’ve pitted two top-tier NVIDIA cards against each other, comparing their features, gaming benchmarks, and more to help you make an informed decision.

Key Takeaways

• In my gaming benchmarks, the RTX 4090 was the better performer, with an average of 133 FPS in 10 games at 4K compared to 107 FPS of the RTX 4080, which means a performance boost of 21.6%.
• The RTX 4090 is also an extremely power-hungry card compared to the RTX 4080, based on my tests, and consumes, on average, 69 more watts than the RTX 4080, making the latter 21% more efficient. 
• Moreover, NVIDIA lists the RTX 4090 at $1,599 and the RTX 4080 at $1,199, which means the RTX 4080 is a little more than 28.5% cheaper than the RTX 4090.

Comparison Table

Architectural Differences

1. Process Node: Both the RTX 4090 and RTX 4080 utilize the same 5nm process node for their architecture, ensuring advanced efficiency and performance.
2. Clock Speed: Secondly, the RTX 4090 boasts a 2235 MHz Base Clock and 2520 MHz Boost Clock, providing a slight edge in clock speeds over the RTX 4080, which features a 2205 MHz Base Clock and 2505 MHz Boost Clock.
3. VRAM: While the RTX 4090 excels with a generous 24GB of GDDR6X VRAM, the RTX 4080 offers a still impressive 16GB of GDDR6X VRAM, catering to a range of memory-intensive tasks.
4. TDP: The RTX 4090 carries a 450W TDP, indicating a higher power demand for peak performance, whereas the RTX 4080 maintains a 320W TDP, ensuring efficient power consumption.
5. Supported Technologies: Finally, both the RTX 4090 and RTX 4080 feature DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), enhancing gaming performance through AI-driven upscaling and providing advanced graphics capabilities.

Learn More: RTX 4090 Vs RTX 3090 Ti

RTX 4080 Vs RTX 4090: 4K Gaming Benchmarks

As a gamer, I understand the importance of real-world performance, which can only be revealed through gaming benchmarks. To assist you in making an informed choice, I conducted extensive testing, comparing the RTX 4080 to the RTX 4090 in 10 games at 4K resolution and gathering data on FPS, power consumption, and thermal performance.

Test Setup

• CPU: Core i9-13900K
• Motherboard: ASUS ROG STRIX Z790-E Gaming
• Memory: G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB 32 GB DDR5 6000 MHz CL 38
• CPU Cooler: Be Quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4
• SSD: 2 x Samsung 970 EVO M.2 2280 1TB
• Power Supply: Corsair RM850i 850 W
• Operating System: Windows 10 Pro

A Plague Tale Requiem

• The NVIDIA RTX 4090 was faster in this test and gave me 111 FPS on average compared to an average of 75 FPS on the NVIDIA RTX 4080.
• This led to the NVIDIA RTX 4090 offering me a 48% performance boost over the NVIDIA RTX 4080 during my testing of this game.
• The NVIDIA RTX 4080 is more efficient in using power at 320W compared to a power consumption of 402W by the NVIDIA RTX 4090.
• The temperature was at 60 degrees Celsius for both cards, which shows that the RTX 4090 produces less energy despite using more power. 

Cyberpunk 2077

• During my test of Cyberpunk 2077, it took a toll on both cards, with the NVIDIA RTX 4090 producing only 73 FPS and the RTX 4080 only 56 FPS. 
• Based on the FPS results from both cards, I can say that the NVIDIA RTX 4090 is a little over 30% better in frame generation than the NVIDIA RTX 4080.
• There was also a big gap in power consumption observed by me, with the NVIDIA RTX 4080 using only 288W compared to the NVIDIA RTX 4090’s 363W. 
• The NVIDIA RTX 4090 proves to be more efficient as it is at only 53 degrees Celsius, while the NVIDIA RTX 4080 is at 58 degrees Celsius.

Also Read: RTX 4090 Vs RX 6900 XT

Forza Horizon 5

• Both cards performed well at 4K in Forza Horizon 5, but I noticed that the NVIDIA RTX 4090 offered nearly 19% improved performance at 183 FPS compared to 154 FPS.
• The NVIDIA RTX 4090 was impressive as its Low 0.1% was also at 105 FPS compared to 79 FPS on the NVIDIA RTX 4080 while I was running the games.
• The power consumption difference was reduced a bit in this test as the NVIDIA RTX 4080 used 291W while the NVIDIA RTX 4090 used 33W more.
• Despite using 33 watts more from the motherboard, the NVIDIA RTX 4090 is 10 degrees cooler than the NVIDIA RTX 4080 by maintaining a temperature of 51 degrees Celsius.

Similar Comparisons: RTX 4080 Vs RTX 3090

God Of War

• God of War was another great game for the NVIDIA RTX 4090 as it delivered an average of 162 FPS compared to 128 FPS from the NVIDIA RTX 4080.
• As a result of this RTX 4080 vs RTX 4090 test, I got 26.6% better FPS production from the NVIDIA RTX 4090 compared to the NVIDIA RTX 4080.
• The power consumption difference widened again in this game as I witnessed the NVIDIA RTX 4090 used 364W compared to only 298W used by the NVIDIA RTX 4080.
• The NVIDIA RTX 4080 ran 4 degrees hotter at 60 degrees Celsius compared to 56 degrees Celsius on the NVIDIA RTX 4090.

Hitman 3

• The performance delivered in Hitman 3 was great by both cards, but I can safely say that the RTX 4090 was better with 182 FPS, whereas the RTX 4080 was at 141 FPS. 
• By offering me more than 41 FPS, the NVIDIA RTX 4090 was able to deliver 29% better performance in this game. 
• Power consumption was higher yet again in my tests on the NVIDIA RTX 4090 chip at 381W compared to 312W on the NVIDIA RTX 4080.
• The temperature difference of only 2 degrees was negligible, but it was the NVIDIA RTX 4090 that was on the cooler side. 

Also Check: RTX 4090 Vs RTX 3080 Ti

Horizon Zero Dawn

• While I was testing Horizon Zero Dawn, the gap between frame generation rates was reduced as the RTX 4080 was able to deliver 143 FPS compared to 162 FPS from the NVIDIA RTX 4090.
• The NVIDIA RTX 4090 was only 13% better than the NVIDIA RTX 4080 in my benchmark.
• For some reason, the difference in power consumption was reduced, too, as the RTX 4090 used 347W, whereas the RTX 4080 used 310W. 
• The NVIDIA RTX 4090 ran way cooler than the RTX 4080 by keeping the temperatures limited to 52 degrees Celsius compared to 61 degrees Celsius on the RTX 4080.

Microsoft Flight Simulator

• My experience and testing revealed that in the demanding Microsoft Flight Simulator, both the RTX 4080 and RTX 4090 faced the challenge of crossing the 100 FPS mark. However, the RTX 4090 came remarkably close by delivering 92 FPS.
• With the RTX 4080 giving us only 67 FPS in this game, it allowed its rival to give us a little more than 37% better FPS performance. 
• When I was examining power consumption, it became evident that the RTX 4090 is a power-hungry GPU, consuming 420W during the test. Meanwhile, the RTX 4080 demonstrated more power efficiency by consuming 301W.
• Both GPUs maintained a similar operating temperature of 59 degrees Celsius, ensuring stable and reliable performance during the gameplay.

Red Dead Redemption 2

• In my experience and testing, the RTX 4090 and the NVIDIA RTX 4080 delivered average FPS readings of 122 and 102, respectively, during demanding gameplay.
• There was a performance difference of nearly 20%, with the RTX 4090 delivering the better frame production rate. 
• When it comes to power consumption, the RTX 4090 was relatively power-hungry, drawing 353W, which was 56W more than the RTX 4080’s consumption.
• In terms of thermal efficiency, the NVIDIA RTX 4090 proved to be more efficient, with a temperature of 52 degrees Celsius, while the NVIDIA RTX 4080 registered a slightly higher operating temperature at 58 degrees Celsius.

Spiderman Remastered

• In our extensive testing, the performance of both graphics cards, the NVIDIA RTX 4090 and the RTX 4080, didn’t reach remarkable levels. The RTX 4090 delivered 79 frames per second, while the RTX 4080 managed 63 FPS during gameplay.
• The performance boost on the RTX 4090 was just a little over 25%.
• Spiderman took a toll on the RTX 4090 as it continued to draw 340W from the motherboard, whereas the RTX 4080 drew only 259W.
• In terms of operating temperatures, the RTX 4090 maintained a relatively cooler temperature of 55 degrees Celsius, whereas the RTX 4080 ran at a slightly higher but still reasonable 57 degrees Celsius.

Also Read: RTX 4080 Vs RTX 3080

Uncharted LOTC

• Both the RTX 4090 and the RTX 4080 delivered commendable performance in this game during my benchmarking, with the RTX 4090 achieving an impressive 159 FPS and the RTX 4080 maintaining a strong 137 FPS.
• The increase in average FPS performance was only 16%, with the RTX 4090 being the better of the two.
• The RTX 4080 continued to use less power and kept its consumption at 239W compared to a consumption of 308W by the RTX 4090.
• Operating temperatures showed a clear contrast to me, with the RTX 4090 running cooler at 51 degrees Celsius and the RTX 4080 operating at a slightly warmer but still reasonable 58 degrees Celsius.

Overall Gaming Performance

• In my firsthand experience, the NVIDIA RTX 4090 emerges as the clear winner in the RTX 4080 vs. RTX 4090 battle, delivering consistently higher average FPS, Low 1%, and Low 0.1% FPS, providing superior gaming performance.
• While the difference between the two narrows in certain games, such as Spiderman, where the RTX 4090 offers just 16 more frames per second than the RTX 4080, the RTX 4090 shines in titles like Hitman 3, boasting a significant 41 FPS performance boost over the RTX 4080.
• On average, the RTX 4080 delivered 106.6 FPS, whereas the RTX 4090 achieved an impressive 132.5 FPS, resulting in a remarkable 26 FPS advantage for the RTX 4090, equating to a 21.6% performance boost for those opting for the RTX 4090 over the RTX 4080.

Average Power Consumption 

• In my tests, the RTX 4080 exhibited an average power consumption of 291.5W, while the RTX 4090 consumed 360.2W in 10 games at 4K resolution.
• This indicates that the RTX 4080 is notably more power-efficient, with a 21% higher power consumption exhibited by the RTX 4090.
   

Average Thermal Statistics

• Throughout my RTX 4080 vs. RTX 4090 gaming benchmarks, it consistently became evident that the RTX 4090 is the more heat-efficient card despite its higher power consumption.
• When considering the average temperatures across all 10 games, the RTX 4080 operated at 58.3 degrees Celsius, whereas the RTX 4090 maintained a cooler 55.8 degrees Celsius.
• With a 3-degree Celsius average difference, the RTX 4090 proved to be 4.3% more thermally efficient than the RTX 4080, showcasing its impressive cooling performance.

Pricing And Availability

• In terms of pricing, I found that neither the RTX 4080 nor the RTX 4090 is positioned as a budget-friendly option; both belong to a higher tier.
• NVIDIA lists the RTX 4080 with a starting price of $1,199, with other options available at higher costs. For instance, the Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4080 EAGLE OC version starts at $1,239.
• On the other hand, the RTX 4090 starts at $1,599 on NVIDIA’s website, with the ASUS version featuring an Axial-tech cooling system priced at $1,799.
• Comparing the founder’s editions of both cards, the RTX 4090 comes at a $400 premium over the RTX 4080, making it nearly 28.5% more expensive.

RTX 4090 Vs RTX 4080: Which One Would I Recommend?

• Based on my extensive experience, I highly recommend the RTX 4090 over the RTX 4080 for gaming enthusiasts. It delivers an outstanding 26 FPS advantage, equating to a remarkable 21.6% performance boost at 4K resolution.
• Additionally, the RTX 4080 showcases notable power efficiency, with a 21% lower power consumption compared to the RTX 4090, making it a prudent choice for those conscious of power usage.
• If you prioritize cooling performance, the RTX 4090 impresses with a 4.3% higher thermal efficiency, maintaining temperatures 4 degrees Celsius lower than the RTX 4080.
• However, it’s essential to consider your budget, as the RTX 4090 comes at a $400 premium over the RTX 4080, making it approximately 28.5% more expensive. Your decision should weigh the enhanced performance against the higher cost.

Pros And Cons

Abde Manaf

[Comparisons Expert]

Abdemanaf is a skilled creative writer who has been honing his craft since 2011. While initially working in different fields, he found a passion for technology and has been exploring the tech world since early 2015. Over the years, he has developed an in-depth knowledge of the latest tech trends and product offerings by various companies.

Abdemanaf’s writing reflects his analytical mindset and ability to think critically. He has a knack for breaking down complex technical information into easily digestible pieces, making his articles engaging and accessible to readers from all backgrounds. In February 2022, he joined Tech4Gamers as a blog and product comparison writer, where he has been able to hone his skills further.

As a writer, Abdemanaf is dedicated to staying up-to-date with the latest technological advancements and trends, enabling him to provide readers with the most relevant and accurate information. He is always eager to learn more and is constantly seeking new challenges to improve his skills.

Get In Touch: manaf@tech4gamers.com