Nvidia's GeForce RTX 4090 is still the most powerful graphics card for gaming. There's also a mobile variant available in the best RTX 4090 laptops, but in this guide, we'll focus on desktop-class discrete GPUs. As long as you have a power supply that can adequately power the GPU, this is the best graphics card to enjoy all your favorite PC games. To point you in the right direction, I've rounded up some of our favorite Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 GPUs.
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Source: ASUS
ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 4090 OC Edition
Best overall
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Source: Gigabyte
Gigabyte Aorus RTX 4090 Xtreme WATERFORCE
Best water cooled
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Source: NVIDIA
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 Founders Edition
Best Civil Servant
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Source: MSI
MSI GeForce RTX 4090 Gaming X Trio
Best value for money
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Source: Asus
ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 4090 OC Edition
Best for gaming
The very best GeForce RTX 4090 GPUs in 2024
Asus has done pretty much everything to ensure that the RTX 4090 can run at really high speeds. The Asus ROG Strix GeForce RTX 4090 OC Edition is simply brilliant. Compared to Nvidia's reference card, this aftermarket card can run at higher speeds and has really powerful cooling. You'll still need around 450W of power from your PSU to keep this GPU running, but it will let you crank up virtually any setting in your favorite games.
What's the best way to cool components? With liquid, of course! That's exactly what the Gigabyte Aorus RTX 4090 Xtreme WATERFORCE offers with its integrated 360 mm radiator. This allows Gigabyte to install three 120 mm fans that can draw in a lot of cool air. A side effect of having the radiator and fan mounted away from the GPU is that the actual card is slimmer and thus fits in more compact cases. Just make sure you have a free 360 ​​mm space.
We reviewed the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 Founders Edition and found it to be absolutely brilliant. It may have been heavily overpriced, but what you got for it was something incredible. It's the most powerful consumer gaming graphics card, outshining pretty much everything else. Nvidia's GPU design is also tried and tested, and we're huge fans of the current generation, including the RTX 4090. While it won't be as fast as some of the aftermarket options, it's a great choice if you can find one at a reasonable price.
Prices for graphics cards (and some other PC components) are still ridiculous at times, and the RTX 4090 is no exception. Still, you can find some good deals on cards, including the MSI GeForce RTX 4090 Gaming X Trio. Somehow, MSI has managed to price this GPU below some of its competitors, so you can save a bit while still getting the same treatment in the form of one of the best graphics cards available. We wouldn't recommend this as “cheap” — and we wouldn't dream of including it in our list of the best budget GPUs — but it's better than spending more than $2,000.
Asus makes a few cards with the same GPU, and the TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 4090 OC Edition is another RTX 4090 from the company that makes our collection. It's cheaper than our top pick from Asus and has a not-quite-as-flashy design, making it ideal for more understated PC builds. If you don't need all the extra benefits of a flagship GPU, something like this TUF Gaming RTX 4090 OC works really well for high-resolution 4K gaming.
The ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 4090 Trinity OC looks otherworldly thanks to its wild, spaceship-like design. Underneath that crazy (but attractive) shell lies the same RTX 4090 GPU. This particular card packs a punch and runs smoothly at higher clock speeds when overclocked. Temperatures are kept in check by the three large fans and massive heatsink. Not only does it look good, but it will also put a smile on your face with all the settings cranked to 11.
PNY is another brand that offers a slightly cheaper GeForce RTX 4090. The PNY GeForce RTX 4090 XLR8 Gaming VERTO EPIC-X RGB is a great choice for those who absolutely want the best GPU on the market without having to take out a small mortgage. It still doesn't offer the best value for money in terms of performance and we would recommend cheaper GPUs if possible, but this is about the best you're going to get for the RTX 4090.
Choosing the best RTX 4090 GPU
The Asus ROG Strix GeForce RTX 4090 OC Edition is a fantastic RTX 4090 GPU. Nvidia has created a monster and Asus has taken the reference design and added its own take on the powerful gaming component. If you want the absolute best GPU of this generation of hardware, this is the card you should consider. It offers a good balance between performance and price, if we weren't already facing such highly inflated prices, as Asus makes some of the best cards on the market. Not everyone can afford a flagship RTX 4090, and that's where the MSI GeForce RTX 4090 Gaming X Trio comes in at a significant discount.
No matter which RTX 4090 you choose, you'll need to expect to pay upwards of $1,600 to comfortably game at high settings and 4K resolution. As long as your PC case can accommodate such massive GPUs, you'll have one of the best gaming experiences possible.
Best overall
ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 4090 OC Edition
The Asus ROG Strix GeForce RTX 4090 OC Edition is an impressive graphics card with powerful cooling and high-quality components. This allows the GPU to run at high speeds and makes for some truly impressive gaming experiences.