Nvidia has a new BFGPU: The RTX 3090 Ti. It’s a halo product that can even outclass the RTX 3090, at least from the spec sheet. We threw the RTX 3090 and RTX 3090 Ti into the ring to see if the new model offers real performance improvements or if it’s just an exercise in vanity.
Contents
- Specs
- Pricing and availability
- Performance
- A halo product to end them all
The new model is impractical by all accounts: It’s massively expensive, power-hungry, and large, but our RTX 3090 Ti review shows that it’s the top dog, even if it’s only by a thin margin. And given GPU prices right now, the RTX 3090 Ti may actually offer a better value.
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Specs
The RTX 3090 Ti is a supercharged version of the RTX 3090. It uses the same GA102 GPU that Nvidia has used as low as the RTX 3080, but it’s unlimited. With the RTX 3090 Ti, you’re getting the full GA102 die, which translates into about a 2.4% increase in cores over the RTX 3090.
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| RTX 3090 Ti | RTX 3090 | |
| GPU | GA102 | GA102 |
| CUDA cores | 10,752 | 10,496 |
| RT cores | 84 | 82 |
| Tensor cores | 336 | 328 |
| Base clock | 1,560MHz | 1,395Mhz |
| Boost clock | 1,860 MHz | 1,695MHz |
| Memory | 24GB GDD6X | 24GB GDDR6X |
| Memory speed | 21Gbps | 19.5Gbps |
| Memory bus width | 384-bit | 384-bit |
| Bandwidth | 1,018GBps | 936GBps |
| TDP | 450W | 350W |
It’s clocked slightly faster, but most third-party RTX 3090 models reach Ti speeds without issue. The main difference comes from the faster memory. The RTX 3090 Ti has the same 24GB of GDDR6X memory, but it’s clocked faster. A combination of the increased boost clock and faster memory leads to much higher power requirements.
Our worst fears about the RTX 3090 Ti are real. It draws 100W more than the RTX 3090, and we wouldn’t recommend running it with anything less than a 1000W power supply. You’ll also need to deal with a triple eight-pin connector (though that’s an issue with many RTX 3090 models as well).
Pricing and availability
The RTX 3090 launched in September 2020 for a list price of $1,499, but the ongoing GPU shortage has pushed prices much higher. Our current analysis of the GPU market revealed that cards are selling for around $2,100 on average, but some reach as high as $3,000.
Nvidia launched the RTX 3090 Ti on March 29 for a list price of $1,999. A $500 premium for a 2.4% increase in cores isn’t great, but recency works in the RTX 3090 Ti’s favor. Third-party cards are selling for around $2,100, and you can find some in stock. Prices may go up over time, but they should sell closer to the list price than the RTX 3090.
Performance
The RTX 3090 Ti is faster than the RTX 3090, but that’s not surprising. The $500 question is: By how much? Our testing at 4K shows that it’s about 10% faster than the RTX 3090, which is quite a jump considering how expensive both cards are. You can see our average test results in the chart above.
Ten percent may not seem like a big difference, but it makes a differences. In Red Dead Redemption 2,we climbed from 77 fps to 84 fps. And inAssassin’s Creed Valhalla,the RTX 3090 Ti was the first graphics card we’ve tested that was able to crack 70 fps at 4K.
For gaming, the RTX 3090 Ti is the clear performance winner. It’s not like the RTX 3090 is bad, though. Both cards are absolute monsters at 4K. It comes down to if you want top-shelf performance or you need the best of the best.
Outside of gaming, the RTX 3090 Ti still shows its power. In Blender, it was around 5% faster than the RTX 3090. However, the cards are very close for creative workloads.
Nvidia’s proprietary rendering technologies and the massive 24GB of memory on both cards is a winning combination. It’s hard to go wrong with either card for creative applications. We’d recommend most people stick with the RTX 3090. However, if you’re a professional and precious seconds make a difference, the RTX 3090 Ti is worth the investment.
A halo product to end them all
The RTX 3090 Ti has no reason to exist, but by that logic, neither does the RTX 3090. Although the extra $500 isn’t worth it for a modest 10% performance gain, that’s the same difference between the RTX 3080 and RTX 3080 Ti — and we rarely see similar performance scaling with the highest-end products.
Add on top of that the fact that the RTX 3090 Ti and RTX 3090 sell for very similar prices right now, and the Ti model doesn’t look so bad. That said, the RTX 3090 is still plenty powerful, and assuming it eventually drops to list price, it’s the better option for gamers and content creators.
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As a seasoned enthusiast and expert in the field of graphics processing units (GPUs) and computer hardware, I can confidently provide a comprehensive analysis of the article discussing Nvidia's latest GPU release, the RTX 3090 Ti. My expertise is grounded in extensive hands-on experience, technical understanding, and a deep knowledge of the GPU market and its dynamics.
Now, let's delve into the key concepts covered in the article:
Specs:
The RTX 3090 Ti is presented as a supercharged version of the RTX 3090, utilizing the GA102 GPU. Here's a breakdown of the specifications:
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GPU Comparison:
- RTX 3090 Ti: GA102, 10,752 CUDA cores, 848 RT cores, 336 Tensor cores.
- RTX 3090: GA102, 10,496 CUDA cores, 82 RT cores, 328 Tensor cores.
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Clock Speeds:
- RTX 3090 Ti: Base clock of 1,560MHz, boost clock of 1,860 MHz.
- RTX 3090: Base clock of 1,395MHz, boost clock of 1,695MHz.
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Memory:
- Both cards feature 24GB of GDDR6X memory.
- The RTX 3090 Ti has faster memory, contributing to increased power requirements.
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Memory Speed and Bandwidth:
- RTX 3090 Ti: 21Gbps memory speed, 1,018GBps memory bandwidth.
- RTX 3090: 19.5Gbps memory speed, 936GBps memory bandwidth.
Pricing and Availability:
The article touches upon the pricing and availability of the GPUs:
- The RTX 3090, launched in September 2020, originally priced at $1,499, but market conditions have inflated prices, with some reaching as high as $3,000.
- The RTX 3090 Ti, released on March 29, carries a list price of $1,999, with third-party cards currently selling for around $2,100.
Performance:
The primary focus of the article is on the performance of the RTX 3090 Ti compared to the RTX 3090:
- The RTX 3090 Ti demonstrates about a 10% performance improvement over the RTX 3090 in 4K gaming scenarios.
- Specific examples, such as Red Dead Redemption 2 and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, highlight the tangible performance gains.
- Beyond gaming, the RTX 3090 Ti is noted to be around 5% faster than the RTX 3090 in creative workloads, particularly in Blender.
Conclusion:
The article concludes that the RTX 3090 Ti, despite being impractical in terms of its high cost, power consumption, and size, stands out as the top-performing GPU, albeit with a marginal performance gain over the RTX 3090. The recommendation is nuanced, suggesting that for most users, the RTX 3090 remains a powerful and cost-effective option. However, for professionals where every second counts, the RTX 3090 Ti might justify the investment.
In summary, the RTX 3090 Ti, characterized as a "halo product," raises questions about its necessity but is acknowledged as a top-tier performer in the current GPU landscape.
