G3D Mark is a standard benchmark that measures graphics performance in real-world gaming scenarios. It simplifies comparing cards from different brands, where higher scores directly correlate with better fps and smoother gaming experiences.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, raw graphics performance, VRAM, feature set, power efficiency, pricing context, and long-term value so you can see which GPU actually makes more sense.

GeForce RTX 4080

2022

Why buy it

✅+12.1% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅Costs $400 less on MSRP ($1,199 MSRP vs $1,599 MSRP).
✅Delivers 49.5% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 28.7 vs 19.2 G3D/$ ($1,199 MSRP vs $1,599 MSRP).
✅Draws 320W instead of 425W, a 105W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 4090 D across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 16 GB vs 24 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (304 vs 456), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.

GeForce RTX 4090 D

2023

Why buy it

✅10.5% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅50% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (456 vs 304).
✅50% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (24 GB vs 16 GB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (30,725 vs 34,445).
❌
33.4% HIGHER MSRP
$1,599 MSRPvs$1,199 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 19.2 vs 28.7 G3D/$ ($1,599 MSRP vs $1,199 MSRP).
❌32.8% higher power demand at 425W vs 320W.

GeForce RTX 4080

2022

GeForce RTX 4090 D

2023

Why buy it

✅+12.1% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅Costs $400 less on MSRP ($1,199 MSRP vs $1,599 MSRP).
✅Delivers 49.5% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 28.7 vs 19.2 G3D/$ ($1,199 MSRP vs $1,599 MSRP).
✅Draws 320W instead of 425W, a 105W reduction.

Why buy it

✅10.5% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅50% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (456 vs 304).
✅50% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (24 GB vs 16 GB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 4090 D across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 16 GB vs 24 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (304 vs 456), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (30,725 vs 34,445).
❌
33.4% HIGHER MSRP
$1,599 MSRPvs$1,199 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 19.2 vs 28.7 G3D/$ ($1,599 MSRP vs $1,199 MSRP).
❌32.8% higher power demand at 425W vs 320W.

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 4090 D better than GeForce RTX 4080?

Yes. GeForce RTX 4090 D is the better GPU overall here. You are getting 10.5% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data, 12.1% higher PassMark G3D performance, 456 vs 304 Tensor cores, and 24 GB vs 16 GB of VRAM. It also comes from 2023 instead of 2022, which helps its case as the more complete modern gaming card.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

GeForce RTX 4090 D is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer 2023 generation instead of 2022, more VRAM at 24 GB instead of 16 GB, and 50.0% more ray-tracing hardware. That extra memory headroom makes it the safer pick for newer games, heavier textures, and higher settings over time.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper card?

GeForce RTX 4080 is easier to justify on price alone at $1,199 MSRP, but GeForce RTX 4090 D is still the stronger gaming card overall. GeForce RTX 4090 D is about 33.4% more expensive on MSRP at $1,599 MSRP versus $1,199 MSRP, and you are getting 10.5% more estimated average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and a lower G3D Mark (30,725 vs 34,445). GeForce RTX 4080 still holds the G3D-per-dollar lead, so the performance win comes with a real value premium. Go with GeForce RTX 4090 D if you want the better experience; go with GeForce RTX 4080 if keeping cost down matters more than squeezing out the highest performance.

Is GeForce RTX 4080 still worth buying for gaming in 2026?

Yes. GeForce RTX 4080 is still a very good gaming GPU in 2026: it is excellent for 1080p and 1440p maxed-out gaming, and still very capable for 4K in many titles. Around $1,199 MSRP, it makes sense if you would rather save money than pay about 33.4% more for the extra performance. If you have more room in the budget, GeForce RTX 4090 D is still the safer long-term pick.

Games Benchmarks

Real-world benchmarks and performance projections based on comprehensive hardware analysis and comparative metrics. Values represent expected performance on High/Ultra settings at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K. Modeled using a Ryzen 7 9800X3D reference profile to minimize specific CPU bottlenecks.

Note: Performance behavior can vary per game. Specific architectures may perform better or worse depending on game engine optimizations and API implementation.

GeForce RTX 4080 Benchmark Check

GeForce RTX 4090 D Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 4080	GeForce RTX 4090 D
1080p
low	223 FPS	284 FPS
medium	208 FPS	263 FPS
high	182 FPS	225 FPS
ultra	167 FPS	197 FPS
1440p
low	201 FPS	262 FPS
medium	170 FPS	217 FPS
high	141 FPS	173 FPS
ultra	133 FPS	156 FPS
4K
low	136 FPS	180 FPS
medium	115 FPS	150 FPS
high	93 FPS	114 FPS
ultra	87 FPS	102 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 4080 Open GeForce RTX 4090 D

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 4080	GeForce RTX 4090 D
1080p
low	749 FPS	841 FPS
medium	608 FPS	657 FPS
high	480 FPS	516 FPS
ultra	419 FPS	449 FPS
1440p
low	577 FPS	673 FPS
medium	482 FPS	548 FPS
high	395 FPS	443 FPS
ultra	321 FPS	364 FPS
4K
low	314 FPS	375 FPS
medium	271 FPS	314 FPS
high	245 FPS	286 FPS
ultra	208 FPS	240 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 4080 Open GeForce RTX 4090 D

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce RTX 4080	GeForce RTX 4090 D
1080p
low	944 FPS	944 FPS
medium	772 FPS	772 FPS
high	699 FPS	699 FPS
ultra	604 FPS	604 FPS
1440p
low	731 FPS	731 FPS
medium	598 FPS	598 FPS
high	529 FPS	529 FPS
ultra	452 FPS	452 FPS
4K
low	506 FPS	506 FPS
medium	419 FPS	419 FPS
high	377 FPS	377 FPS
ultra	317 FPS	317 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 4080 Open GeForce RTX 4090 D

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce RTX 4080	GeForce RTX 4090 D
1080p
low	990 FPS	999 FPS
medium	878 FPS	971 FPS
high	766 FPS	855 FPS
ultra	687 FPS	691 FPS
1440p
low	740 FPS	830 FPS
medium	639 FPS	728 FPS
high	549 FPS	641 FPS
ultra	486 FPS	518 FPS
4K
low	528 FPS	606 FPS
medium	465 FPS	538 FPS
high	407 FPS	461 FPS
ultra	361 FPS	346 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 4080 Open GeForce RTX 4090 D

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 4080 and GeForce RTX 4090 D

GeForce RTX 4080

The GeForce RTX 4080 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in September 20 2022. It features the Ada Lovelace architecture. The core clock ranges from 2205 MHz to 2505 MHz. It has 9728 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 320W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 76 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 34,445 points. Launch price was $1,199.

GeForce RTX 4090 D

The GeForce RTX 4090 D is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in December 28 2023. It features the Ada Lovelace architecture. The core clock ranges from 2280 MHz to 2520 MHz. It has 14592 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 425W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 114 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 30,725 points. Launch price was $1,599.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 4080 scores 34,445 versus the GeForce RTX 4090 D's 30,725 — the GeForce RTX 4080 leads by 12.1%. The GeForce RTX 4080 is built on Ada Lovelace while the GeForce RTX 4090 D uses Ada Lovelace, both on a 5 nm process. Shader units: 9,728 (GeForce RTX 4080) vs 14,592 (GeForce RTX 4090 D). Raw compute: 48.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 4080) vs 73.54 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 4090 D). Boost clocks: 2505 MHz vs 2520 MHz. Ray tracing: 76 RT cores (GeForce RTX 4080) vs 114 (GeForce RTX 4090 D) with 304 Tensor cores vs 456.

Feature	GeForce RTX 4080	GeForce RTX 4090 D
G3D Mark Score	34,445+12%	30,725
Architecture	Ada Lovelace	Ada Lovelace
Process Node	5 nm	5 nm
Shading Units	9728	14592+50%
Compute (TFLOPS)	48.74 TFLOPS	73.54 TFLOPS+51%
Boost Clock	2505 MHz	2520 MHz
ROPs	112	176+57%
TMUs	304	456+50%
L1 Cache	9.5 MB	14.3 MB+51%
L2 Cache	64 MB	72 MB+13%
Ray Tracing Cores	76	114+50%
Tensor Cores	304	456+50%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Both cards support modern Frame Generation technology, allowing them to insert intermediate frames to smooth motion and boost perceived FPS in supported games.

Feature	GeForce RTX 4080	GeForce RTX 4090 D
Upscaling Tech	DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution	DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution
Frame Generation	DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation	DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation
Ray Reconstruction	Yes (DLSS 3.5)	Yes (DLSS 3.5)
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	NVIDIA Reflex

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce RTX 4080 comes with 16 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 4090 D has 24 GB. The GeForce RTX 4090 D offers 50% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 736 GB/s (GeForce RTX 4080) vs 1008 GB/s (GeForce RTX 4090 D) — a 37% advantage for the GeForce RTX 4090 D. Bus width: 256-bit vs 384-bit. L2 Cache: 64 MB (GeForce RTX 4080) vs 72 MB (GeForce RTX 4090 D) — the GeForce RTX 4090 D has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 4080	GeForce RTX 4090 D
VRAM Capacity	16 GB	24 GB+50%
Memory Type	GDDR6X	GDDR6X
Memory Bandwidth	736 GB/s	1008 GB/s+37%
Bus Width	256-bit	384-bit+50%
L2 Cache	64 MB	72 MB+13%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 4080) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 4090 D). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.4. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce RTX 4080	GeForce RTX 4090 D
DirectX	12 Ultimate	12 Ultimate
Vulkan	1.3	1.4+8%
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 8th gen (GeForce RTX 4080) vs 2x NVENC (8th Gen) (GeForce RTX 4090 D). Decoder: NVDEC 5th gen vs NVDEC (5th Gen). Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 (GeForce RTX 4080) vs H.264,HEVC,AV1,VP9 (GeForce RTX 4090 D).

Feature	GeForce RTX 4080	GeForce RTX 4090 D
Encoder	NVENC 8th gen	2x NVENC (8th Gen)
Decoder	NVDEC 5th gen	NVDEC (5th Gen)
Codecs	H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9	H.264,HEVC,AV1,VP9

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 4080 draws 320W versus the GeForce RTX 4090 D's 425W — a 28.2% difference. The GeForce RTX 4080 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 750W (GeForce RTX 4080) vs 850W (GeForce RTX 4090 D). Power connectors: 16-pin vs 16-pin. Card length: 310mm vs 304mm, occupying 3 vs 3 slots. Typical load temperature: 70°C vs 78°C.

Feature	GeForce RTX 4080	GeForce RTX 4090 D
TDP	320W-25%	425W
Recommended PSU	750W-12%	850W
Power Connector	16-pin	16-pin
Length	310mm	304mm
Height	140mm	137mm
Slots	3	3
Temp (Load)	70°C-10%	78°C
Perf/Watt	107.6+49%	72.3

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 4080 launched at $1199 MSRP, while the GeForce RTX 4090 D launched at $1599. The GeForce RTX 4080 costs 25% less ($400 savings) on MSRP. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 28.7 (GeForce RTX 4080) vs 19.2 (GeForce RTX 4090 D) — the GeForce RTX 4080 offers 49.5% better value. The GeForce RTX 4090 D is the newer GPU (2023 vs 2022).