Will a 4090 Give You More Frames Than a 2080? A Detailed Performance Comparison
If you are considering upgrading your graphics card from an RTX 2080 to an RTX 4090, you are probably wondering: Will the RTX 4090 give you significantly more frames per second (FPS)?
The RTX 2080 was a high-end graphics card when it launched, providing excellent performance for gaming and creative workloads. However, technology has rapidly advanced, and the RTX 4090 is now one of the most powerful consumer GPUs available. This new generation of graphics cards comes with a significantly larger number of CUDA cores, higher clock speeds, and increased memory bandwidth, making it a huge leap in performance compared to previous models.
This article will explore:
- How much FPS improvement you can expect when upgrading from an RTX 2080 to an RTX 4090
- Benchmark comparisons between the RTX 4090 and RTX 2080 in different games
- Performance differences across 1080p, 1440p, and 4K gaming resolutions
- Key factors that affect FPS beyond just upgrading your GPU
- Whether upgrading to the RTX 4090 is truly worth it for gaming and productivity in 2024
By the end of this detailed comparison, you will have a clear understanding of whether investing in an RTX 4090 will provide you with a significant boost in gaming performance and whether it is a good investment based on your needs.
1. Key Differences Between the RTX 4090 and RTX 2080
Before diving into FPS benchmarks, let’s look at the fundamental hardware differences between the two GPUs.
RTX 2080 vs. RTX 4090: Core Specifications
| Feature | RTX 2080 | RTX 4090 | Performance Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| CUDA Cores | 2,944 | 16,384 | 5.5 times more |
| VRAM (Memory) | 8GB GDDR6 | 24GB GDDR6X | Three times more |
| Memory Bandwidth | 448 GB/s | 1,008 GB/s | 2.2 times faster |
| Base Clock Speed | 1,515 MHz | 2,235 MHz | 47 percent faster |
| Boost Clock Speed | 1,710 MHz | 2,520 MHz | 47 percent faster |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 46 | 128 | 2.8 times more |
| DLSS Support | DLSS 2.0 | DLSS 3.0 with Frame Generation | Improved AI-based performance |
What Do These Differences Mean for Performance?
- More CUDA cores mean the RTX 4090 can handle far more processing power, significantly improving gaming and productivity tasks.
- More VRAM allows for better performance in high-resolution gaming and resource-intensive creative applications.
- DLSS 3.0 introduces AI-based frame generation, which boosts FPS beyond what traditional GPU power alone can achieve.
- Higher clock speeds and memory bandwidth make the RTX 4090 a far more efficient and faster card overall.
2. How Much More FPS Does the RTX 4090 Deliver?
Now that we understand the hardware differences, let’s see how they translate into real-world gaming performance.
A. 1080p Gaming Performance
| Game | RTX 2080 FPS | RTX 4090 FPS | Performance Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cyberpunk 2077 (Ultra Settings) | 75 FPS | 250 FPS | 3.3 times faster |
| Call of Duty: Warzone | 135 FPS | 350 FPS | 2.6 times faster |
| Elden Ring | 80 FPS | 190 FPS | 2.4 times faster |
| Red Dead Redemption 2 | 90 FPS | 245 FPS | 2.7 times faster |
B. 1440p Gaming Performance
| Game | RTX 2080 FPS | RTX 4090 FPS | Performance Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cyberpunk 2077 (Ultra Settings) | 50 FPS | 200 FPS | 4 times faster |
| Call of Duty: Warzone | 110 FPS | 320 FPS | 2.9 times faster |
| Elden Ring | 65 FPS | 180 FPS | 2.8 times faster |
| Red Dead Redemption 2 | 70 FPS | 210 FPS | 3 times faster |
C. 4K Gaming Performance
| Game | RTX 2080 FPS | RTX 4090 FPS | Performance Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cyberpunk 2077 (Ultra Settings) | 25 FPS | 140 FPS | 5.6 times faster |
| Call of Duty: Warzone | 75 FPS | 280 FPS | 3.7 times faster |
| Elden Ring | 40 FPS | 150 FPS | 3.75 times faster |
| Red Dead Redemption 2 | 50 FPS | 170 FPS | 3.4 times faster |
3. Factors That Affect FPS Beyond the GPU
While upgrading to an RTX 4090 will significantly improve FPS, other factors in your gaming setup can impact performance.
A. CPU Bottlenecking
- If your CPU is outdated, it may not be able to keep up with the RTX 4090, limiting performance gains.
- High-end processors like the Intel i9-13900K or AMD Ryzen 9 7950X are ideal for avoiding bottlenecks.
B. RAM and System Memory
- For optimal gaming performance, at least 32GB of DDR5 RAM is recommended.
- Faster memory speeds (6000MHz and above) help with frame rates in CPU-heavy games.
C. Power Supply and Cooling
- The RTX 4090 consumes over 450W of power, so a minimum 850W PSU is required.
- Proper cooling is necessary to prevent thermal throttling and maintain high performance.
4. Is Upgrading to the RTX 4090 Worth It?
The RTX 4090 is a massive upgrade over the RTX 2080, but whether or not you should upgrade depends on your budget, gaming needs, and monitor resolution.
Reasons to Upgrade to an RTX 4090
- You play at 1440p or 4K and need higher FPS for a smoother gaming experience.
- You want DLSS 3.0 and AI-powered frame generation to boost performance.
- You play demanding AAA games such as Cyberpunk 2077, Microsoft Flight Simulator, or Starfield.
- You have a high refresh rate monitor (144Hz or higher) and want to maximize FPS.
- You use your PC for content creation, video editing, or 3D rendering, where the RTX 4090’s high VRAM and compute power shine.
Reasons to Keep the RTX 2080
- You mostly play at 1080p with a 60Hz monitor, where an RTX 4090 would be overkill.
- You are on a budget, as the RTX 4090 costs over $1,500, making it a major investment.
- Your CPU is outdated, and upgrading just the GPU won’t provide a big FPS boost.
- You mostly play esports titles like Valorant, CS2, or Fortnite, where an RTX 4090 will not provide a massive improvement.
Final Verdict
Yes, the RTX 4090 provides significantly more FPS than the RTX 2080, making it one of the best GPUs for gaming. However, whether it is worth the upgrade depends on your budget, gaming resolution, and monitor refresh rate.
Would you like recommendations on the best CPU, motherboard, and power supply to pair with the RTX 4090? Let me know!
