NVIDIA - GeForce RTX 4090 vs NVIDIA - GeForce RTX 5060 Ti
Between the GeForce RTX 4090 and GeForce RTX 5060 Ti, the GeForce RTX 4090 comes out ahead in cuda / stream cores and ray tracing cores, while the GeForce RTX 5060 Ti wins on tdp and boost clock. Overall, the GeForce RTX 4090 scores 80.3 and the GeForce RTX 5060 Ti scores 60.8 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The GeForce RTX 4090 is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 19.5 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 GeForce RTX 5060 Ti if you care most about tdp and boost clock. Its strongest claims are tdp, boost clock.
Both ship with comparable dlss, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.
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 — 255.56% more. 16384 vs 4608.
- ▲Ray tracing cores — 255.56% more. 128 vs 36.
- ▲Memory bus — 200.00% more. 384 bit vs 128 bit.
- ▲3DMark Time Spy — 112.12% more. 28000 vs 13200.
- ▲VRAM — 50.00% more. 24 GB vs 16 GB.
Why NVIDIA - GeForce RTX 5060 Ti wins
- ▲TDP — 270.00 W less. 180 vs 450.
- ▲Boost clock — 2.06% more. 2572 MHz vs 2520 MHz.
Spec comparison
Core
| Spec | NVIDIA - GeForce RTX 4090 | NVIDIA - GeForce RTX 5060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | AD102 | GB206 |
| Base clockⓘ | 2235 MHz | 2407 MHzlead |
| Boost clockⓘ | 2520 MHz | 2572 MHzlead |
| CUDA / Stream coresⓘ | 16384lead | 4608 |
| Ray tracing coresⓘ | 128lead | 36 |
Memory
| Spec | NVIDIA - GeForce RTX 4090 | NVIDIA - GeForce RTX 5060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| VRAMⓘ | 24 GBlead | 16 GB |
| VRAM typeⓘ | GDDR6X | GDDR7lead |
| Memory busⓘ | 384 bitlead | 128 bit |
Power & Form
| Spec | NVIDIA - GeForce RTX 4090 | NVIDIA - GeForce RTX 5060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| TDPⓘ | 450 W | 180 Wlead |
| Recommended PSUⓘ | 850 W | 550 Wlead |
| Length | 304 mm | 240 mmlead |
| Slot size | 3-slot | 2-slot |
Benchmarks
| Spec | NVIDIA - GeForce RTX 4090 | NVIDIA - GeForce RTX 5060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| 3DMark Time Spyⓘ | 28000lead | 13200 |
| DLSSⓘ | true | true |
| FSRⓘ | false | false |
Frequently asked
Which has more VRAM, GeForce RTX 4090 or GeForce RTX 5060 Ti?+
GeForce RTX 4090 ships with 24GB GDDR6X vs 16GB.
Which scores higher in 3DMark Time Spy, GeForce RTX 4090 or GeForce RTX 5060 Ti?+
GeForce RTX 4090 scores 28000 vs 13200.
Which draws less power, GeForce RTX 4090 or GeForce RTX 5060 Ti?+
GeForce RTX 5060 Ti draws 180W TDP vs 450W.
Spec-level deep dives
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