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NVIDIA - GeForce RTX 4090 vs AMD - Radeon RX 7900 XTX

Last updated · How Mars Score works
GeForce RTX 4090NVIDIARENDER
Probe A
NVIDIA
GeForce RTX 4090
80.3/ 100A
Benchmarks84· 40%
Core76· 30%
Memory80· 20%
Power & Form· 10%
Radeon RX 7900 XTXAMDRENDER
Probe B
AMD
Radeon RX 7900 XTX
71.0/ 100B
Benchmarks72· 40%
Core64· 30%
Memory80· 20%
Power & Form· 10%
Quick verdict

Between the GeForce RTX 4090 and Radeon RX 7900 XTX, the GeForce RTX 4090 comes out ahead in cuda / stream cores and 3dmark time spy, while the Radeon RX 7900 XTX wins on tdp. Overall, the GeForce RTX 4090 scores 80.3 and the Radeon RX 7900 XTX scores 71 on our Mars Score.

Buying advice

Which should you buy?

The GeForce RTX 4090 is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 9.3 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 push the hardware — gaming, on-device AI, heavy multitasking — and the extra compute headroom is worth the trade-offs. The biggest gaps in its favor are cuda / stream cores, 3dmark time spy, ray tracing cores, among others.

Pick the Radeon RX 7900 XTX if you care most about tdp. Its strongest claims are tdp.

Both ship with comparable vram, memory bus, 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 — 166.67% more. 16384 vs 6144.
  • 3DMark Time Spy — 33.33% more. 28000 vs 21000.
  • Ray tracing cores — 33.33% more. 128 vs 96.
  • Has DLSS.
  • Boost clock — 0.80% more. 2520 MHz vs 2500 MHz.

Why AMD - Radeon RX 7900 XTX wins

  • TDP — 95.00 W less. 355 vs 450.
Full readout

Spec comparison

Core

SpecNVIDIA - GeForce RTX 4090AMD - Radeon RX 7900 XTX
ChipsetAD102Navi 31
Base clock2235 MHzlead1900 MHz
Boost clock2520 MHzlead2500 MHz
CUDA / Stream cores16384lead6144
Ray tracing cores128lead96

Memory

SpecNVIDIA - GeForce RTX 4090AMD - Radeon RX 7900 XTX
VRAM24 GB24 GB
VRAM typeGDDR6XleadGDDR6
Memory bus384 bit384 bit

Power & Form

SpecNVIDIA - GeForce RTX 4090AMD - Radeon RX 7900 XTX
TDP450 W355 Wlead
Recommended PSU850 W800 Wlead
Length304 mm287 mmlead
Slot size3-slot2.5-slot

Benchmarks

SpecNVIDIA - GeForce RTX 4090AMD - Radeon RX 7900 XTX
3DMark Time Spy28000lead21000
DLSStrueleadfalse
FSRfalsetruelead
Reader questions

Frequently asked

Which has more VRAM, GeForce RTX 4090 or Radeon RX 7900 XTX?+

Radeon RX 7900 XTX ships with 24GB GDDR6 vs 24GB.

Which scores higher in 3DMark Time Spy, GeForce RTX 4090 or Radeon RX 7900 XTX?+

GeForce RTX 4090 scores 28000 vs 21000.

Which draws less power, GeForce RTX 4090 or Radeon RX 7900 XTX?+

Radeon RX 7900 XTX draws 355W TDP vs 450W.

Drill down

Spec-level deep dives

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