GeForce RTX 4090 vs GeForce RTX 5070
Performance-wise the GeForce RTX 4090 is out front, dramatically faster, roughly 57% up on the GeForce RTX 5070. Value tips toward the GeForce RTX 5070, though: $2,306 EUR cheaper for what you get.
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GeForce RTX 4090 vs GeForce RTX 5070: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce RTX 4090 vs GeForce RTX 5070
The GeForce RTX 4090 is dramatically faster, around 57% ahead of the GeForce RTX 5070. That gap is enough to move it up a tier: the GeForce RTX 4090 is comfortable at 4K and high-refresh 1440p, while the GeForce RTX 5070 is better matched to 4K with upscaling and native 1440p. The GeForce RTX 4090 packs 16,384 CUDA cores versus 6,144 on the GeForce RTX 5070.
Price & Value
Right now the GeForce RTX 5070 starts at $684 EUR against $2,990 EUR for the GeForce RTX 4090. Despite being slower, the GeForce RTX 5070 offers the better performance-per-dollar (~179% better value), so budget-focused buyers should weigh it carefully. The GeForce RTX 5070 still sits about $135 EUR above its $549 EUR MSRP. The GeForce RTX 4090 still sits about $1,391 EUR above its $1,599 EUR MSRP.
Power & Efficiency
The GeForce RTX 5070 sips power at 250W next to the GeForce RTX 4090's 450W, and still leads on performance-per-watt — quieter, cooler, and gentler on your 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 4090's 24GB (vs 12GB on the GeForce RTX 5070) gives it more room for 4K textures and memory-hungry creative or AI workloads. The GeForce RTX 4090's memory is also faster — 1,008 GB/s versus 672 GB/s (384-bit vs 192-bit bus) — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.
Generation & Longevity
The GeForce RTX 5070 is roughly 3 years newer than the GeForce RTX 4090 (Blackwell vs Ada Lovelace), so it generally benefits from a more modern architecture and longer driver-support runway.
Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 4090 or GeForce RTX 5070?
Choose the GeForce RTX 4090 if you want the most performance and can absorb the higher price. If you're optimizing for value, the GeForce RTX 5070 stretches your money further for only slightly lower performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GeForce RTX 4090 better than the GeForce RTX 5070?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce RTX 4090 or the GeForce RTX 5070?
Is the GeForce RTX 4090 worth the extra $2,306 EUR over the GeForce RTX 5070?
Does the GeForce RTX 4090 have enough VRAM advantage to matter?
Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 4090 or GeForce RTX 5070?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce RTX 4090 | GeForce RTX 5070 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Ada Lovelace | Blackwell |
| Process Node | TSMC 4N | TSMC 4N |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 16,384✓ | 6,144 |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 128✓ | 48 |
| Tensor / AI Cores | 512✓ | 192 |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | GeForce RTX 4090 | GeForce RTX 5070 |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 2,235 MHz✓ | 2,160 MHz |
| Boost Clock | 2,520 MHz✓ | 2,512 MHz |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce RTX 4090 | GeForce RTX 5070 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 24 GB✓ | 12 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6X | GDDR7 |
| Memory Bus | 384-bit✓ | 192-bit |
| Memory Speed | 21 Gbps | 28 Gbps✓ |
| Bandwidth | 1,008 GB/s✓ | 672 GB/s |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | GeForce RTX 4090 | GeForce RTX 5070 |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 4.0 x16 | PCIe 5.0 x16 |
| TDP | 450 W | 250 W✓ |
| Power Connectors | 1x 16-pin | 1x 16-pin |
| Released | Sep 2022 | Mar 2025 |
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