NVIDIA - GeForce RTX 4090 vs AMD - Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB
Between the GeForce RTX 4090 and Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB, the GeForce RTX 4090 comes out ahead in cuda / stream cores and ray tracing cores, while the Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB wins on tdp and boost clock. Overall, the GeForce RTX 4090 scores 80.3 and the Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB scores 61.7 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The GeForce RTX 4090 is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 18.6 points on the Mars Score. The margin is wide enough that the underdog only makes sense if its individual strengths line up with what you specifically need.
Pick the GeForce RTX 4090 if you care most about cuda / stream cores and ray tracing cores. The biggest gaps in its favor are cuda / stream cores, ray tracing cores, memory bus, among others.
Pick the Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB if you care most about tdp and boost clock. Its strongest claims are tdp, boost clock.
There are no meaningful ties on the headline specs — every popular-comparison metric has a winner.
Bottom line: the GeForce RTX 4090 is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
Why NVIDIA - GeForce RTX 4090 wins
- ▲CUDA / Stream cores — 700.00% more. 16384 vs 2048.
- ▲Ray tracing cores — 300.00% more. 128 vs 32.
- ▲Memory bus — 200.00% more. 384 bit vs 128 bit.
- ▲3DMark Time Spy — 125.81% more. 28000 vs 12400.
- ▲VRAM — 50.00% more. 24 GB vs 16 GB.
- ▲Has DLSS.
Why AMD - Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB wins
- ▲TDP — 290.00 W less. 160 vs 450.
- ▲Boost clock — 24.21% more. 3130 MHz vs 2520 MHz.
Spec comparison
Core
| Spec | NVIDIA - GeForce RTX 4090 | AMD - Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | AD102 | Navi 44 |
| Base clockⓘ | 2235 MHz | 2620 MHzlead |
| Boost clockⓘ | 2520 MHz | 3130 MHzlead |
| CUDA / Stream coresⓘ | 16384lead | 2048 |
| Ray tracing coresⓘ | 128lead | 32 |
Memory
| Spec | NVIDIA - GeForce RTX 4090 | AMD - Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB |
|---|---|---|
| VRAMⓘ | 24 GBlead | 16 GB |
| VRAM typeⓘ | GDDR6Xlead | GDDR6 |
| Memory busⓘ | 384 bitlead | 128 bit |
Power & Form
| Spec | NVIDIA - GeForce RTX 4090 | AMD - Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB |
|---|---|---|
| TDPⓘ | 450 W | 160 Wlead |
| Recommended PSUⓘ | 850 W | 550 Wlead |
| Length | 304 mm | 240 mmlead |
| Slot size | 3-slot | 2-slot |
Benchmarks
| Spec | NVIDIA - GeForce RTX 4090 | AMD - Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB |
|---|---|---|
| 3DMark Time Spyⓘ | 28000lead | 12400 |
| DLSSⓘ | truelead | false |
| FSRⓘ | false | truelead |
Frequently asked
Which has more VRAM, GeForce RTX 4090 or Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB?+
GeForce RTX 4090 ships with 24GB GDDR6X vs 16GB.
Which scores higher in 3DMark Time Spy, GeForce RTX 4090 or Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB?+
GeForce RTX 4090 scores 28000 vs 12400.
Which draws less power, GeForce RTX 4090 or Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB?+
Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB draws 160W TDP vs 450W.
Spec-level deep dives
More from the same brands
vsMars is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.