GPU Comparison
Select up to 2 GPUs to analyze their pricing, performance, and specifications side-by-side.
Market Value Leader
Only verified data for GeForce RTX 5090 is available. Benchmarks for other models are currently being processed.
On raw speed the GeForce RTX 5090 comes out dramatically faster — about 156% ahead of the GeForce RTX 3090.
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Comparable or lower specs
GeForce RTX 5090 vs GeForce RTX 3090: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce RTX 5090 vs GeForce RTX 3090
The GeForce RTX 5090 is dramatically faster, around 156% ahead of the GeForce RTX 3090. That gap is enough to move it up a tier: the GeForce RTX 5090 is comfortable at 4K and high-refresh 1440p, while the GeForce RTX 3090 is better matched to 1440p. The GeForce RTX 5090 packs 21,760 CUDA cores versus 10,496 on the GeForce RTX 3090.
Power & Efficiency
On power, the GeForce RTX 3090 is the gentler choice at 350W versus 575W. The GeForce RTX 5090 is more efficient per watt because it's faster, but its higher 575W draw means more heat and a bigger PSU. Its more modern Blackwell architecture on a TSMC 4N process is part of why it does more with each watt.
VRAM & Future-Proofing
The GeForce RTX 5090 carries 32GB versus 24GB on the GeForce RTX 3090. The extra 8GB helps at 4K, with high-resolution texture packs, and for content-creation or local-AI workloads that exhaust smaller buffers. The GeForce RTX 5090's memory is also faster — 1,792 GB/s versus 936 GB/s (512-bit vs 384-bit bus) — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.
Generation & Longevity
The GeForce RTX 5090 is roughly 5 years newer than the GeForce RTX 3090 (Blackwell vs Ampere), so it generally benefits from a more modern architecture and longer driver-support runway.
Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 3090 or GeForce RTX 5090?
The GeForce RTX 5090 is the faster card by about 156%. With live pricing limited for this pair, base your decision on the spec differences above — particularly VRAM and power draw — and check current stock before buying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GeForce RTX 5090 better than the GeForce RTX 3090?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce RTX 3090 or the GeForce RTX 5090?
Does the GeForce RTX 5090 have enough VRAM advantage to matter?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3090 | GeForce RTX 5090 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Ampere | Blackwell |
| Process Node | Samsung 8nm | TSMC 4N |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 10,496 | 21,760✓ |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 82 | 170✓ |
| Tensor / AI Cores | 328 | 680✓ |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3090 | GeForce RTX 5090 |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,395 MHz | 2,010 MHz✓ |
| Boost Clock | 1,695 MHz | 2,407 MHz✓ |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3090 | GeForce RTX 5090 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 24 GB | 32 GB✓ |
| Memory Type | GDDR6X | GDDR7 |
| Memory Bus | 384-bit | 512-bit✓ |
| Memory Speed | 19.5 Gbps | 28 Gbps✓ |
| Bandwidth | 936 GB/s | 1,792 GB/s✓ |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3090 | GeForce RTX 5090 |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 4.0 x16 | PCIe 5.0 x16 |
| TDP | 350 W✓ | 575 W |
| Power Connectors | 1x 12-pin | 1x 16-pin |
| Released | Sep 2020 | Jan 2025 |
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