I Don’t Recommend Buying The RTX 4090 Anymore

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Mussab Ali

At Tech4Gamers I test and write about different hardware configurations to show other PC users what they can expect from their build. My end goal is to educate the masses to make the right decision when they are looking for new PC parts to buy

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The RTX 4090 is the best GPU of this generation. No matter the workload, whether gaming or productive, it can handle most of them with significant ease. Nvidia has designed a monster that supersedes all the other GPUs in the stack. 

Whether, it’s raw performance, or upscaling capability, the GPU comes packing under the hood. It’s no secret though, that with this GPU abilities, Nvidia charges a premium for it. That makes it a hot and precious commodity. 

Native 4K Gaming With RT On Is Still Not Achievable 

Gaming at 4K resolution is something that game developers and GPU manufacturers have been pushing for the gaming audience. It has become a new standard since the RTX 2000 GPU series was launched. 

People have accepted this standard as well, and many of us hope to game at those crisp visuals and enjoy the fidelity that the 4K resolution provides. However, with newer technologies like ‘Path tracing’ being made available in a wide variety of games, even this behemoth of a GPU isn’t capable of achieving smooth gameplay in the latest titles.

I need to turn on the DLSS and Frame Generation technologies to get smooth gameplay at 4K. Gaming at 4K native resolution at 60+ FPS with Ray Tracing is still not possible in some of the latest titles with this GPU that costs an arm and a leg to buy. 

Let’s take the CDPR Cyberpunk 2077 as an example. No Frame Gen, No DLSS, path tracing on at 4K ultra preset, the RTX 4090 gives out around 40-42 FPS. Similar is the case of Hogwarts Legacy, although it performs considerably better, giving out 50-60 FPS, at 4K ultra settings.

The price of some of the premium variants of the RTX 4090 such as the ASUS ROG STRIX OC edition is upwards of $2000. Spending this much money should guarantee me a 4K gaming heaven. While I can continue to game comfortably at 4K res in most titles, but not always. 

You still need to dial down some graphics settings to achieve a smooth experience. This brings in the question of whether you still need to tweak and tinker with the settings after spending a hefty amount on this GPU, and if it is worth it. 

If I can’t max out all the graphical settings at 4K resolution and end up getting help from upscaling technologies, then what do I need an RTX 4090 for? With the rise of the new Unreal Engine 5, game devs continue to push the graphical limits of next-gen games. When will this cycle end? 

Mid Range GPUs Also Offer AI And Upscaling Technologies

If I have to end up using AI and Upscale technologies to ensure smooth gameplay, then the mid-range GPUs make much more sense. All the RTX 4000 series GPUs come with Frame Generation and DLSS 3.0 technologies. They offer double the FPS at times with very little sacrifice to visual fidelity. 

Why choose the top-end GPU if the mid-range GPUs offer a similar visual experience at a lower price? Why not use that money to upgrade the rest of the PC parts? It makes much more sense to get a mid-range GPU. 

The Coming Of The RTX 5000 Series

RTX 4090, while impressive, is going to be replaced by the next flagship GPU of the upcoming RTX 5000 series. According to leaks, the RTX 5090 is going to replace the RTX 4090 as the current GPU king. 

The leaks further claim that the RTX 5090 will take a significant lead over the 4090 offering up to 30% performance gains. It will also feature a GDDR7 memory and will have a base clock of 2.9 GHz that will allow it to take this lead. The RTX 4090 has a base clock of 2.55 GHz so even at stock speeds it will take a substantial lead while drawing the same amount of power or less even. Just got to wait for the launch whenever it does to confirm it.  

The release date of the RTX 5000 series is still unconfirmed. However, according to rumors, Nvidia might unveil the series in early 2025. That is another reason why the RTX 4090 is a poor GPU choice right now. 

The RTX 4090’s launch price was $1599. Currently, it retails for around $1739 on Amazon. Although you can get a used one for $1400, that’s still a big amount. Nonetheless, with the 5000 series GPUs coming, it’s a bad time to spend this much money on them. 

Better To Settle For A Mid-Range GPU For Now

If you have cash to splash and you can’t wait for the next RTX 5000 series, then go ahead and buy this GPU. However, with its price-to-performance ratio, it costs way too much and doesn’t provide the value that one would expect from a GPU with a big price tag as this one. 

You can also settle for a mid-range GPU that will let you experience the AI and upscaling technology, such as the RTX 4070, Ti, and Ti SUPER. They provide a much better value as compared to the RTX 4090.