RTX 4060
RTX 3090
RTX 4060 vs RTX 3090
Which graphics card should you buy in 2026? Full spec comparison and analysis.
Our Pick: RTX 4060
The RTX 4060 wins this matchup with better value for money, lower price ($299 vs $1499). At $299, it's also the more affordable option.
Performance Overview
Overall Performance
Gaming
Value for Money
Specifications Comparison
| Specification | RTX 4060 | RTX 3090 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $299Win | $1499 |
| VRAM | 8GB | 24GBWin |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR6X |
| Boost Clock | 2460MHzWin | 1695MHz |
| Base Clock | 1830MHzWin | 1395MHz |
| Shader/Stream Processors | 3072 | 10496Win |
| Performance | 15.1TFLOPS | 35.6TFLOPSWin |
| TDP | 115WWin | 350W |
| Memory Bus | 128-bit | 384-bitWin |
| Bandwidth | 272GB/s | 936GB/sWin |
| Architecture | Ada Lovelace | Ampere |
| Process Node | 4nmWin | 8nm |
| RT Cores | 24 | 82Win |
| AI Upscaling | DLSS 3.5 | DLSS 2.0 |
| Interface | PCIe 4.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x16 |
| Power Connector | 1x 8-pin | 2x 8-pin |
| Card Length | 240mmWin | 313mm |
| Benchmark Score | 30/100 | 47/100Win |
| Gaming Score | 32/100 | 49/100Win |
| Value Score | 74/100Win | 20/100 |
| $/Gaming PointMSRP ÷ Gaming Score · Lower is better | $9.34Win | $30.59 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the RTX 4060 better than the RTX 3090?
The RTX 4060 is the stronger card overall. It scores 30/100 in synthetic benchmarks and 32/100 in gaming versus 47/100 and 49/100 for the RTX 3090. In practical terms, the RTX 4060 is a 1080p high card while the RTX 3090 targets 1440p medium / 1080p ultra. The RTX 4060 also has 8GB of GDDR6 on a 128-bit bus, giving it more headroom for high-res textures and future titles.
Which is the better value, RTX 4060 or RTX 3090?
The RTX 3090 costs 401% more for about 57% more performance. The RTX 4060 at $299 offers noticeably better performance per dollar. Our value scores reflect this: RTX 4060 gets 74/100 and RTX 3090 gets 20/100. If you are building on a tighter budget, the RTX 4060 at $299 is the smarter buy. If you can stretch to $1499 and want the extra performance, the RTX 3090 justifies its price for demanding workloads.
Can the RTX 4060 or RTX 3090 run games at 4K?
Neither card is an ideal 4K GPU. The RTX 3090 can manage 4K at medium settings in less demanding titles, but both are really designed for 1440p or 1080p gaming. If 4K is a priority, consider stepping up to a higher-tier card.
RTX 4060 vs RTX 3090 for 1440p gaming -- which is better?
At 1440p, the RTX 3090 is more comfortable but you may need to dial settings down in newer AAA games. The RTX 4060 will struggle at 1440p ultra in demanding titles. For a consistent 1440p experience, the RTX 3090 is the safer choice.
What CPU should I pair with the RTX 4060 or RTX 3090?
To avoid bottlenecking the RTX 4060 (gaming score 32/100), pair it with at least a Ryzen 5 7600 or Ryzen 5 9600X. For the RTX 3090 (gaming score 49/100), a Ryzen 5 7600 or Ryzen 5 9600X will keep things balanced. Overspending on the CPU relative to the GPU -- or vice versa -- leaves performance on the table. As a rule of thumb, your CPU should cost roughly 40-60% of your GPU budget for a gaming-focused build.
Is the RTX 4060 worth it in 2026?
The RTX 4060 remains a solid buy in 2026. With 8GB of GDDR6 and Ada Lovelace architecture, it handles current games at 1080p high settings without issues. Support for DLSS 3.5 extends its lifespan further by boosting frame rates in supported titles. At $299 MSRP, it offers strong value and should stay relevant for at least another 2-3 years of AAA gaming.
Should I wait for next-gen or buy the RTX 4060 now?
If you need a GPU now, the RTX 4060 at $299 is a perfectly capable 1080p card. The latest GPUs (NVIDIA RTX 50-series Blackwell, AMD RDNA 4) are now available, so consider comparing against the newest options in your budget. The RTX 4060's Ada Lovelace architecture and 8GB VRAM still have plenty of life left.
How much power does the RTX 4060 vs RTX 3090 use?
The RTX 3090 draws 350W TDP versus 115W for the RTX 4060, a difference of 235W. For the RTX 3090, a quality 850W PSU is recommended. The RTX 4060's significantly lower power draw also means less heat output, which matters in smaller cases or warmer climates. The RTX 4060 uses a 1x 8-pin connector while the RTX 3090 needs 2x 8-pin.
How many FPS can I expect from the RTX 4060 vs RTX 3090?
Exact FPS varies by game and settings, but based on our gaming benchmark scores (RTX 4060: 32/100, RTX 3090: 49/100), the RTX 3090 typically delivers 53% more frames than the RTX 4060 at the same resolution and settings. In popular titles at 1440p or 1080p, the RTX 3090 with its 35.6 TFLOPS of compute power and 936 GB/s memory bandwidth pushes well above 60 FPS. Enabling DLSS 2.0 upscaling can boost that by another 30-50% with minimal visual quality loss.