GeForce RTX 5090 vs GeForce RTX 4080 Super

Speed and memory

In our performance index the GeForce RTX 5090 scores 130 and the GeForce RTX 4080 Super scores 73, which makes the GeForce RTX 5090 about 78% faster. That is a gap you will notice: roughly one step up in quality setting, or the difference between 60 and 80 fps.

The GeForce RTX 5090 has 32 GB of video memory and the GeForce RTX 4080 Super has 16 GB. That difference matters at 1440p and in new games at High textures, and it can outweigh a small speed advantage as the card ages.

In our estimates for popular games at 1080p on High, the biggest gap is in Call of Duty (274 against 163 fps), and the smallest is in ELDEN RING (60 against 60 fps). Games that are light enough to run above 200 fps on both cards show little difference at all.

Power and value

The GeForce RTX 5090 is rated at 575 W and the GeForce RTX 4080 Super at 320 W. With a mid-range processor that means a power supply of about 1200 W for the first and 750 W for the second. A gap of 255 W shows up in heat and fan noise, and in your electricity use over a few years.

At launch the GeForce RTX 5090 cost $1,999 and the GeForce RTX 4080 Super $999. Per dollar, the GeForce RTX 4080 Super gave more performance (7.3 points per $100 against 6.5). Current prices differ, so run the same sum on what you can actually buy today.

Which one to buy

Choose the GeForce RTX 5090 if you want the faster card, and it also has at least as much memory. It makes the most sense at 1440p and above, or on a monitor with a high refresh rate.

Choose the GeForce RTX 4080 Super if the price gap matters more than the 78% speed difference, or if you want lower power draw and a quieter PC. Whichever you pick, check reviews for the games you play, because two cards with similar scores can differ in individual titles.