Guide
RTX 4090 vs RTX 4080 — Which to choose in 2026?
The RTX 4090 (1 700–2 100 €) and the RTX 4080 (900–1 050 €) are two of the most popular GPUs in their price range. This comparison covers 1080p and 1440p performance, power draw, price, and helps you decide which card fits your build best.
Side-by-side specifications
| Specification | RTX 4090 | RTX 4080 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM | 24 GB | 16 GB |
| TDP (reference) | ~450 W | ~320 W |
| Architecture | Ada Lovelace (AD102) | Ada Lovelace (AD103) |
| Release year | 2022 | 2022 |
| Typical price (2026) | 1 700–2 100 € | 900–1 050 € |
Indicative benchmarks (avg FPS, raster)
Rounded in-game averages (no DLSS Frame Generation). Useful to compare 1080p vs 1440p feel.
FPS (higher is better)
Cyberpunk 2077
1080p
1440p
Fortnite
1080p
1440p
Hogwarts Legacy
1080p
1440p
Call of Duty (Warzone)
1080p
1440p
Red Dead Redemption 2
1080p
1440p
Which GPU for your use case?
- Casual / single-playerBoth GPUs stay very playable at 1080p. The RTX 4090 has more headroom in recent AAA titles.
- 1080p competitive (high FPS)For competitive gaming both reach high FPS. The RTX 4090 is slightly faster.
- 1440p / light creationAt 1440p the gap widens in favour of the RTX 4090. The RTX 4080 still makes sense for older titles or medium settings.
Bottom line
Pick the RTX 4090 if buying new: better overall performance.
Choose the RTX 4080 if budget is tight.
FPS varies with CPU, drivers, and scene. Use the PC4Games comparator for picks tied to your games.
RTX 4090 or RTX 4080: quick summary
The RTX 4090 delivers better overall performance in our benchmarks. The RTX 4080 stays competitive, especially as a value option on the used market.
At 1080p: the RTX 4090 has more headroom in demanding titles. At 1440p: the gap widens — the RTX 4090 is more comfortable targeting 60+ FPS at high/ultra settings.
Power draw and PSU compatibility
The RTX 4090 has a TDP of 450W; the RTX 4080 draws 320W. Both cards have similar power requirements. A 650–750W PSU is recommended for most builds.
Price and value in 2026
In 2026, the RTX 4090 sells for around 1 700–2 100 € and the RTX 4080 for 900–1 050 €. The RTX 4090 justifies its premium with higher performance, particularly at 1440p.
PC4Games
Take action with the comparator: pick your games, budget, then compare PCs.
PC4Games resources (methodology, data, glossary)
How we pick PCs and cite sources — for transparency and GEO.
