RTX 4090 vs. RTX 4070 SUPER: A Detailed Comparison
NVIDIA’s RTX 4090 and RTX 4070 SUPER are two options that gamers, content creators, and AI enthusiasts often consider. The RTX 4090 is the flagship GPU of the Ada Lovelace architecture, while the RTX 4070 SUPER offers a more budget-friendly alternative with decent performance. But how do they truly compare in terms of specs, real-world performance, and cost-effectiveness? Let’s dive deep into this comparison.
1. Primary Details: What Sets Them Apart?
Before we get into the detailed specs, let’s look at how these two GPUs rank in the market:
- Place in Performance Ranking: RTX 4090 is ranked 3rd, while the RTX 4070 SUPER sits at 13th.
- Popularity: The RTX 4090 holds the 8th position, whereas the RTX 4070 SUPER is in 18th place.
- Release Date: The RTX 4090 was released on September 20, 2022, while the RTX 4070 SUPER came out later on January 8, 2024.
- Market Segment: Both GPUs fall under the desktop category.
2. Cost-Effectiveness & Price-Performance Ratio
One of the biggest factors when choosing a GPU is the performance-to-price ratio. While the RTX 4090 is the most powerful consumer GPU available, the RTX 4070 SUPER provides a better value for money.
- RTX 4090 Launch Price: $1,599
- RTX 4070 SUPER Launch Price: $599
- Performance-to-Price Ratio: The RTX 4070 SUPER is 258% more cost-effective than the RTX 4090.
Although the RTX 4090 is unmatched in performance, the RTX 4070 SUPER delivers decent gaming and rendering capabilities at a fraction of the price.
3. Specifications: A Side-by-Side Look
| Specification | RTX 4090 | RTX 4070 SUPER |
|---|---|---|
| CUDA Cores | 16,384 | 7,168 |
| Base Clock | 2,235 MHz | 1,980 MHz |
| Boost Clock | 2,520 MHz | 2,475 MHz |
| Transistors | 76.3 billion | 35.8 billion |
| Process Node | 5nm | 5nm |
| TDP (Power Consumption) | 450W | 220W |
| Texture Fill Rate | 1,290 GTexels/s | 554.4 GTexels/s |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 128 | 56 |
Verdict:
- The RTX 4090 has more than double the CUDA cores, making it significantly better for computational tasks.
- The power consumption of the RTX 4090 is 104.5% higher, requiring a higher wattage PSU and better cooling solutions.
- The RTX 4090 dominates in every raw performance metric, but at a much higher cost.
4. VRAM: Capacity and Speed
VRAM (Video Memory) is essential for gaming at high resolutions and working with large datasets.
| VRAM Feature | RTX 4090 | RTX 4070 SUPER |
|---|---|---|
| Memory Type | GDDR6X | GDDR6X |
| VRAM Capacity | 24GB | 12GB |
| Memory Bus | 384-bit | 192-bit |
| Memory Bandwidth | 1.01 TB/s | 504.2 GB/s |
Verdict:
- The RTX 4090 has double the VRAM of the RTX 4070 SUPER, making it more suited for 4K gaming, AI workloads, and professional 3D rendering.
- A larger memory bus (384-bit vs. 192-bit) gives the RTX 4090 significantly higher bandwidth, ensuring smoother performance in memory-intensive applications.
5. Performance Benchmarks: Gaming & Productivity
Synthetic Benchmarks
- Passmark Score:
- RTX 4090: 38,421 (+27.8%)
- RTX 4070 SUPER: 30,060
- 3DMark Fire Strike Graphics:
- RTX 4090: 111,000+
- RTX 4070 SUPER: 75,000+
The RTX 4090 is ahead in synthetic benchmarks, proving its raw power.
Gaming Performance at Different Resolutions
| Resolution | RTX 4090 FPS | RTX 4070 SUPER FPS | Performance Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p | 256 FPS | 214 FPS | +19.6% |
| 1440p | 195 FPS | 134 FPS | +45.5% |
| 4K | 141 FPS | 82 FPS | +72% |
Game-Specific Performance
- Cyberpunk 2077 (Ultra, 4K):
- RTX 4090: 100+ FPS
- RTX 4070 SUPER: 50-60 FPS
- Counter-Strike 2 (1440p, High Settings):
- RTX 4090: 351 FPS
- RTX 4070 SUPER: 300-350 FPS
- Atomic Heart (1080p, Ultra Settings):
- RTX 4090: 324 FPS
- RTX 4070 SUPER: 220-230 FPS
Verdict:
- The RTX 4090 is 20-70% faster depending on the resolution.
- For 4K gaming, the RTX 4090 is a must-have as the 4070 SUPER struggles to maintain 60+ FPS in demanding games.
- The RTX 4070 SUPER is more than enough for 1440p and 1080p gaming.
6. Power Consumption and Compatibility
- RTX 4090: 450W power draw, requires at least an 850W PSU.
- RTX 4070 SUPER: 220W, works with a 650W PSU.
Verdict:
- The RTX 4090 demands a high-end power supply and robust cooling.
- The RTX 4070 SUPER is more power-efficient and fits smaller PC builds better.
7. Pros & Cons Summary
RTX 4090 Pros:
✔ Best-in-class performance for gaming & AI workloads. ✔ 24GB VRAM is great for high-resolution gaming & productivity. ✔ Best choice for 4K gaming.
RTX 4090 Cons:
✖ Expensive ($1,599 MSRP). ✖ High power consumption (450W).
RTX 4070 SUPER Pros:
✔ Affordable at $599. ✔ 12GB VRAM is sufficient for 1440p gaming. ✔ Lower power consumption (220W).
RTX 4070 SUPER Cons:
✖ Struggles in 4K gaming. ✖ Weaker memory bandwidth.
Final Verdict: Which One Should You Buy?
- For 4K gaming & AI Workloads → RTX 4090.
- For 1440p gaming & best value → RTX 4070 SUPER.
Ultimately, if budget isn’t an issue and you want the best, go for the RTX 4090. If you want a great price-to-performance ratio, the RTX 4070 SUPER is an excellent choice!
