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 4090

2022

Why buy it

✅+16.9% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅Costs $29,401 less on MSRP ($1,599 MSRP vs $31,000 MSRP).
✅Delivers 2166.4% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 23.8 vs 1.1 G3D/$ ($1,599 MSRP vs $31,000 MSRP).
✅Access to a newer frame-generation stack with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
✅More future proof: Ada Lovelace (2022−2024) on 5nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌Less VRAM, with 24 GB vs 48 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌50% higher power demand at 450W vs 300W.
❌13.9% longer card at 304mm vs 267mm.

L40

2022

Why buy it

✅100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (48 GB vs 24 GB).
✅Draws 300W instead of 450W, a 150W reduction.
✅Measures 267mm instead of 304mm, a 37mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (32,601 vs 38,112).
❌No equivalent frame-generation stack like DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
❌Weaker long-term outlook: GeForce RTX 4090 is the safer future-proof pick thanks to newer hardware and better gaming feature support.
❌
1838.7% HIGHER MSRP
$31,000 MSRPvs$1,599 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 1.1 vs 23.8 G3D/$ ($31,000 MSRP vs $1,599 MSRP).

GeForce RTX 4090

2022

L40

2022

Why buy it

✅+16.9% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅Costs $29,401 less on MSRP ($1,599 MSRP vs $31,000 MSRP).
✅Delivers 2166.4% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 23.8 vs 1.1 G3D/$ ($1,599 MSRP vs $31,000 MSRP).
✅Access to a newer frame-generation stack with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
✅More future proof: Ada Lovelace (2022−2024) on 5nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Why buy it

✅100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (48 GB vs 24 GB).
✅Draws 300W instead of 450W, a 150W reduction.
✅Measures 267mm instead of 304mm, a 37mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

❌Less VRAM, with 24 GB vs 48 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌50% higher power demand at 450W vs 300W.
❌13.9% longer card at 304mm vs 267mm.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (32,601 vs 38,112).
❌No equivalent frame-generation stack like DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
❌Weaker long-term outlook: GeForce RTX 4090 is the safer future-proof pick thanks to newer hardware and better gaming feature support.
❌
1838.7% HIGHER MSRP
$31,000 MSRPvs$1,599 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 1.1 vs 23.8 G3D/$ ($31,000 MSRP vs $1,599 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 4090 better than L40?

Yes. GeForce RTX 4090 is the better GPU overall here. You are getting 16.9% higher PassMark G3D performance and DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation.

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

GeForce RTX 4090 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 16.9% more raw performance headroom and better upscaling support with DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution (2023) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack and better frame-generation support with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack. That broader feature stack should age better as more games lean on modern upscaling and frame-generation support.

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

GeForce RTX 4090 is the smarter buy today, but it is not as lopsided as a simple winner label makes it sound. GeForce RTX 4090 is about $29,401 cheaper on MSRP at $1,599 MSRP versus $31,000 MSRP, and you are getting 16.9% higher G3D Mark. It also leads G3D-per-dollar by 2166.4%. That is why the better overall card still comes out as the smarter buy today, not just the faster one.

Is L40 still worth buying for gaming in 2026?

Yes. L40 is still a strong modern gaming GPU: it is excellent for 1080p and 1440p maxed-out gaming, and still very capable for 4K in many titles. It remains a good buy when you can get it meaningfully cheaper than the alternative around $31,000 MSRP, even if GeForce RTX 4090 is still the cleaner recommendation on overall value today.

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 4090 Benchmark Check

L40 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 4090	L40
1080p
low	283 FPS	281 FPS
medium	262 FPS	252 FPS
high	224 FPS	207 FPS
ultra	196 FPS	131 FPS
1440p
low	261 FPS	251 FPS
medium	217 FPS	211 FPS
high	173 FPS	152 FPS
ultra	156 FPS	95 FPS
4K
low	180 FPS	116 FPS
medium	149 FPS	97 FPS
high	114 FPS	66 FPS
ultra	102 FPS	57 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 4090 Open L40

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 4090	L40
1080p
low	910 FPS	525 FPS
medium	726 FPS	407 FPS
high	567 FPS	310 FPS
ultra	478 FPS	268 FPS
1440p
low	728 FPS	440 FPS
medium	607 FPS	351 FPS
high	494 FPS	273 FPS
ultra	397 FPS	215 FPS
4K
low	396 FPS	233 FPS
medium	335 FPS	183 FPS
high	309 FPS	162 FPS
ultra	265 FPS	134 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 4090 Open L40

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce RTX 4090	L40
1080p
low	999 FPS	999 FPS
medium	999 FPS	999 FPS
high	999 FPS	978 FPS
ultra	858 FPS	734 FPS
1440p
low	988 FPS	970 FPS
medium	902 FPS	880 FPS
high	832 FPS	734 FPS
ultra	643 FPS	550 FPS
4K
low	580 FPS	569 FPS
medium	504 FPS	493 FPS
high	455 FPS	437 FPS
ultra	388 FPS	367 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 4090 Open L40

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce RTX 4090	L40
1080p
low	999 FPS	492 FPS
medium	971 FPS	430 FPS
high	855 FPS	383 FPS
ultra	764 FPS	293 FPS
1440p
low	830 FPS	346 FPS
medium	728 FPS	311 FPS
high	641 FPS	273 FPS
ultra	561 FPS	208 FPS
4K
low	606 FPS	229 FPS
medium	538 FPS	197 FPS
high	480 FPS	156 FPS
ultra	420 FPS	119 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 4090 Open L40

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 4090 and L40

GeForce RTX 4090

The GeForce RTX 4090 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in September 20 2022. It features the Ada Lovelace architecture. The core clock ranges from 2235 MHz to 2520 MHz. It has 16384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 450W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 128 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 38,112 points. Launch price was $1,599.

L40

The L40 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in October 13 2022. It features the Ada Lovelace architecture. The core clock ranges from 735 MHz to 2490 MHz. It has 18176 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 300W. Manufactured using 4 nm process technology. It features 142 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 32,601 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 4090 scores 38,112 versus the L40's 32,601 — the GeForce RTX 4090 leads by 16.9%. The GeForce RTX 4090 is built on Ada Lovelace while the L40 uses Ada Lovelace, both on 5 nm vs 4 nm. Shader units: 16,384 (GeForce RTX 4090) vs 18,176 (L40). Raw compute: 82.58 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 4090) vs 90.52 TFLOPS (L40). Boost clocks: 2520 MHz vs 2490 MHz. Ray tracing: 128 RT cores (GeForce RTX 4090) vs 142 (L40) with 512 Tensor cores vs 568.

Feature	GeForce RTX 4090	L40
G3D Mark Score	38,112+17%	32,601
Architecture	Ada Lovelace	Ada Lovelace
Process Node	5 nm	4 nm
Shading Units	16384	18176+11%
Compute (TFLOPS)	82.58 TFLOPS	90.52 TFLOPS+10%
Boost Clock	2520 MHz+1%	2490 MHz
ROPs	176	192+9%
TMUs	512	568+11%
L1 Cache	16 MB	17.8 MB+11%
L2 Cache	72 MB	96 MB+33%
Ray Tracing Cores	128	142+11%
Tensor Cores	512	568+11%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

A critical advantage for the GeForce RTX 4090 is support for DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation. This allows it to generate entire frames using AI/Algorithms, essentially doubling the frame rate in CPU-bound scenarios or heavy ray-tracing titles. The L40 lacks specific hardware/driver support for this native frame generation tier.The GeForce RTX 4090 gives access to NVIDIA DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), widely regarding as the superior upscaling method for image quality. The L40 relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.

Feature	GeForce RTX 4090	L40
Upscaling Tech	DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution	Upscaling support
Frame Generation	DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	Yes (DLSS 3.5)	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	Standard

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce RTX 4090 comes with 24 GB of VRAM, while the L40 has 48 GB. The L40 offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 1008 GB/s (GeForce RTX 4090) vs 960 GB/s (L40) — a 5% advantage for the GeForce RTX 4090. Bus width: 384-bit vs 384-bit. L2 Cache: 72 MB (GeForce RTX 4090) vs 96 MB (L40) — the L40 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 4090	L40
VRAM Capacity	24 GB	48 GB+100%
Memory Type	GDDR6X	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	1008 GB/s+5%	960 GB/s
Bus Width	384-bit	384-bit
L2 Cache	72 MB	96 MB+33%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12.2 (GeForce RTX 4090) vs 12.2 (L40). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce RTX 4090	L40
DirectX	12.2	12.2
Vulkan	1.3	1.3
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: 8th Gen NVENC (2x) (GeForce RTX 4090) vs NVENC 8th Gen (L40). Decoder: 5th Gen NVDEC vs NVDEC 5th Gen. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (GeForce RTX 4090) vs AV1,HEVC,H.264,VP9 (L40).

Feature	GeForce RTX 4090	L40
Encoder	8th Gen NVENC (2x)	NVENC 8th Gen
Decoder	5th Gen NVDEC	NVDEC 5th Gen
Codecs	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1	AV1,HEVC,H.264,VP9

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 4090 draws 450W versus the L40's 300W — a 40% difference. The L40 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 1000W (GeForce RTX 4090) vs 750W (L40). Power connectors: 16-pin (12VHPWR) vs 16-pin. Card length: 304mm vs 267mm, occupying 3 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 80°C vs 80°C.

Feature	GeForce RTX 4090	L40
TDP	450W	300W-33%
Recommended PSU	1000W	750W-25%
Power Connector	16-pin (12VHPWR)	16-pin
Length	304mm	267mm
Height	137mm	111mm
Slots	3	2-33%
Temp (Load)	80°C	80°C
Perf/Watt	84.7	108.7+28%

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 4090 launched at $1599 MSRP, while the L40 launched at $31000. The GeForce RTX 4090 costs 94.8% less ($29401 savings) on MSRP. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 23.8 (GeForce RTX 4090) vs 1.1 (L40) — the GeForce RTX 4090 offers 2063.6% better value.