GeForce RTX 4060 vs GeForce RTX 5090

Two gpus from NVIDIA, targeting different sides of the features and capabilities spectrum. The biggest difference comes down to tdp.

Best Value
GeForce RTX 5090
Best spec wins per dollar
GeForce RTX 4060

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 4060
$299.99

Budget-friendly Ada Lovelace GPU with 8GB GDDR6 and DLSS 3. Excellent 1080p gaming performance with low power consumption.

GeForce RTX 5090

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 5090
$1,999.99

NVIDIA's flagship Blackwell GPU. 21,760 CUDA cores, 32GB GDDR7, 1,792 GB/s memory bandwidth with DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation for record-breaking 4K gaming performance.

How They Compare

GeForce RTX 4060

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 is priced at $299.99 in the GPUs category. It stands out with tdp, memory bandwidth advantages over the competition. It's designed with gaming and budget in mind.

GeForce RTX 5090

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 is priced at $1,999.99 in the GPUs category. It stands out with dlss, vram, vram type advantages over the competition. It's designed with gaming in mind.

Key Differences

TDP
GeForce RTX 4060:115W
GeForce RTX 5090:575W

What this means: Higher tdp indicates greater power draw and heat output. This directly impacts your power supply requirements, cooling solution choice, and electricity costs. Lower values generally mean a cooler, quieter, and more efficient build.

Dlss
GeForce RTX 4060:DLSS 3
GeForce RTX 5090:DLSS 4

What this means: This dlss spec directly impacts features and capabilities for gpus. The product with the higher value here will have an advantage in scenarios where this specification is the limiting factor. Consider whether this specific spec matters for your workload - not every spec difference affects every use case equally.

VRAM
GeForce RTX 4060:8GB
GeForce RTX 5090:32GB

What this means: More vram provides larger working space for the component, enabling it to handle bigger workloads without slowdowns. Running out of vram causes significant performance drops as the system falls back to slower storage.

Outputs
GeForce RTX 4060:3x DP 1.4a, 1x HDMI 2.1a
GeForce RTX 5090:3x DP 2.1a, 1x HDMI 2.1b

What this means: Display outputs determine your multi-monitor capabilities and maximum supported resolutions and refresh rates. More outputs with newer standards (HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 2.1) unlock higher-fidelity display configurations without adapters.

VRAM Type
GeForce RTX 4060:GDDR6
GeForce RTX 5090:GDDR7

What this means: The vram type determines physical and electrical compatibility with your other components. Different types are not interchangeable - always verify your motherboard, case, and power supply support the same type before purchasing.

Cuda Cores
GeForce RTX 4060:3,072
GeForce RTX 5090:21,760

What this means: This cuda cores spec directly impacts features and capabilities for gpus. The product with the higher value here will have an advantage in scenarios where this specification is the limiting factor. Consider whether this specific spec matters for your workload - not every spec difference affects every use case equally.

Boost Clock
GeForce RTX 4060:2,460 MHz
GeForce RTX 5090:2,407 MHz

What this means: Higher boost clock means faster data processing and better real-world performance. Even small differences in clock speeds can translate to measurable FPS gains in CPU-bound games and faster completion times in productivity tasks.

Architecture
GeForce RTX 4060:Ada Lovelace
GeForce RTX 5090:Blackwell

What this means: Newer architecture typically delivers better performance per watt, new feature support, and improved efficiency. Architecture improvements often matter more than raw clock speed - a newer architecture at lower MHz can outperform an older one at higher MHz.

Spec Breakdown

GeForce RTX 4060
GeForce RTX 5090
VRAM
GeForce RTX 40...
8GB
GeForce RTX 50...
32GB
Boost Clock
GeForce RTX 40...
2,460 MHz
GeForce RTX 50...
2,407 MHz

Full Specification Comparison

15 specs
SpecificationGeForce RTX 4060GeForce RTX 5090
TDP115W575W
DlssDLSS 3DLSS 4
VRAM8GB32GB
Outputs3x DP 1.4a, 1x HDMI 2.1a3x DP 2.1a, 1x HDMI 2.1b
VRAM TypeGDDR6GDDR7
Cuda Cores3,07221,760
Boost Clock2,460 MHz2,407 MHz
ArchitectureAda LovelaceBlackwell
Memory Bandwidth272 GB/s1,792 GB/s
PSU Recommendation550W1000W
Slots - 3.5
Width - 137mm
Length - 304mm
Base Clock - 2,017 MHz
Pcie Interface - PCIe 5.0 x16

The Bottom Line

Budget Pick

At $299.99, the GeForce RTX 4060 is the most affordable option. It takes the lead in tdp and memory bandwidth. Tagged as Budget Pick.

Strengths
  • Lower power draw at 115WW
  • Better memory bandwidth (272 GB/s)
Tradeoffs
  • Lower dlss (DLSS 3)
  • Less vram (8GB)
  • Less vram type (GDDR6)
Buy this if
  • You want a cooler, more power-efficient build
  • You want the stronger memory bandwidth
  • Budget is your top priority
Skip this if
  • You need better dlss
  • You need more than 8GB of VRAM
Budget gaming builds
Best ValueBest PerformancePremium Pick

At $1,999.99, the GeForce RTX 5090 is the premium option. It takes the lead in dlss and vram. Tagged as Best Value and Best Performance and Premium Pick.

Strengths
  • Better dlss (DLSS 4)
  • More vram (32GB)
  • More vram type (GDDR7)
  • More cuda cores (21,760)
Tradeoffs
  • Higher power draw at 575WW
  • Lower memory bandwidth (1,792 GB/s)
Buy this if
  • You want the stronger dlss
  • You need 32GB of VRAM for high-res textures
  • You want the best bang for your buck
Skip this if
  • You want lower power draw - 575WW is too high
  • You need better memory bandwidth
Value-conscious buildersMaximum performance seekersEnthusiast builds

Frequently Asked Questions