Impact-Site-Verification: 6d63618e-cbc4-4235-8d89-97e1f3518840

Back to blogupgrade-advice

Is the RTX 4090 Still Worth It?

By Ranjith KondojuSeptember 16, 20262 min read

Is the RTX 4090 Still Worth It? When considering a new GPU, the price-to-performance ratio is crucial. The NVIDIA RTX 5090 comes in at a staggering $1999, while the RTX 4090 is priced at $1599. Is that extra $400 worth it for the latest tech? Let’s unpack this. ### Performance Comparison The RTX 5090 boasts 32GB of VRAM, while the RTX 4090 has 24GB. For most gamers, the 4090 still delivers exceptional performance, especially at 4K. I recently played Cyberpunk 2077 on my RTX 4090, and it handled ray tracing at ultra settings with ease—averaging around 70 FPS. The 5090 might push that to 90 FPS, but is that a $400 difference? Here’s a quick comparison: | GPU Model | Price | VRAM | Average FPS (4K) |

NVIDIA RTX 5090$199932GB90
NVIDIA RTX 4090$159924GB70

| NVIDIA RTX 4080 Super | $999 | 16GB | 60 | ### What You Get for the Price The RTX 5090 is undeniably powerful, but let’s talk about what you’re actually getting for that extra cash. The 32GB VRAM is fantastic for future-proofing, especially for content creators or those who want to run multiple high-demand applications simultaneously. However, if you’re primarily gaming, the RTX 4090 still holds its ground. I remember when I upgraded from the RTX 3080 to the 4090 last year. The jump in performance was noticeable, especially in demanding titles. I paid $699 for the 3080, and the 4090 was a worthy investment at $1599. But now, with the 5090 on the market, I can’t help but question if I should have waited. ### The Sweet Spot For many users, the RTX 4090 is still the sweet spot. At $1599, it offers a balance of performance and price that’s hard to beat. The RTX 4080 Super at $999 is tempting, but it lacks the power for serious 4K gaming. If you’re gaming at 1440p or lower, the 4080 Super might suffice, but for 4K, the 4090 is the way to go. ### Final Thoughts If you’re considering an upgrade, the RTX 4090 remains a solid choice. The performance difference between it and the 5090 might not justify the price for many gamers. Unless you’re a hardcore enthusiast or a professional content creator, the 4090 will serve you well for years to come. In my opinion, unless you have a specific need for the additional VRAM or the absolute best performance, stick with the RTX 4090. It’s still a beast, and you’ll save a chunk of change. So, is the RTX 4090 still worth it? Absolutely—if you’re looking for high performance without breaking the bank.

📬
Free weekly PC parts deals
Best CPU, GPU, RAM, and SSD price drops. Delivered Fridays. Unsubscribe anytime.
No spam. We don't share your email. One unsubscribe click in every email.
GPUNVIDIARTX 4090
R
Ranjith Kondoju

Founder and engineering lead at ShopSmartAI. 12+ years in software, previously built data platforms in fintech and energy. Built his first PC in 2008.

AI-assisted: drafted with help from a large language model and verified against ShopSmartAI's live parts catalog and price snapshots before publishing.

Ready to find the best deals?

Compare prices across major retailers instantly with ShopSmartAI.

Compare prices now on ShopSmartAI