NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop vs NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090
Detailed gaming performance comparison
Reference CPU: Intel Core i5-13400
We compare the RTX 4090 Laptop and the RTX 3090 with real FPS across the most popular games at 1080p, 1440p and 4K, plus specs, launch price and AI upscaling support (DLSS/FSR/XeSS). See at a glance which is better for your resolution and budget.
The RTX 3090 is ~6% faster than the RTX 4090 Laptop on average at 1080p.
RTX 4090 Laptop
- Index (1080p)
- 72/100
- VRAM
- 16 GB
- Price (MSRP)
- —
- Upscaling
- DLSS + Frame Gen
Average FPS by resolution
Estimated average FPS for each graphics card across the most popular games. The gap usually shows at 1080p and 1440p; at 4K both lose smoothness and upscaling (DLSS/FSR) helps.
| Resolution | RTX 4090 Laptop | RTX 3090 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p | 86 | 91 | +6% |
| 1440p | 69 | 77 | +12% |
| 4K | 40 | 50 | +25% |
Specifications
Side-by-side specs of the RTX 4090 Laptop and RTX 3090: VRAM, power draw (TDP), performance index and launch price. The better value in each row is highlighted in blue.
| Spec | RTX 4090 Laptop | RTX 3090 |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | NVIDIA | NVIDIA |
| VRAM | 16 GB | 24 GB |
| TDP | 150W | 350W |
| Tier | Enthusiast | Enthusiast |
| Score 1080p | 72 | 75 |
| Score 1440p | 68 | 73 |
| Score 4K | 52 | 65 |
| Price (MSRP) | — | $1499 |
Gaming Performance
Per-game FPS detail at 1080p Ultra. The graphics card that wins each title is highlighted in blue.
| Game | RTX 4090 Laptop | RTX 3090 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Theft Auto IV: Complete Edition | 90FPS | 96FPS | RTX 3090 |
| Grand Theft Auto VI | 64FPS | 66FPS | RTX 3090 |
| Halloween: The Game | 85FPS | 90FPS | RTX 3090 |
| Kena: Scars of Kosmora | 90FPS | 96FPS | RTX 3090 |
| Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV | 98FPS | 104FPS | RTX 3090 |
| Mortal Shell II | 76FPS | 81FPS | RTX 3090 |
| Clive Barker's Hellraiser: Revival | 85FPS | 90FPS | RTX 3090 |
| Valor Mortis | 76FPS | 81FPS | RTX 3090 |
| Star Wars Zero Company | 101FPS | 108FPS | RTX 3090 |
| Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve | 90FPS | 96FPS | RTX 3090 |
Verdict
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 wins in 10 out of 10 games
We recommend NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 as the best option for gaming.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions when comparing the RTX 4090 Laptop with the RTX 3090.
Which is better, the RTX 4090 Laptop or the RTX 3090?
On average at 1080p, the RTX 3090 is 6% faster than the RTX 4090 Laptop. The best one for you depends on your resolution, budget and whether you prioritise ray tracing or price.
Which is better at 4K?
At 4K Ultra, the RTX 4090 Laptop averages 40 FPS and the RTX 3090 50 FPS across the most popular games. For smooth 4K, enabling upscaling (DLSS/FSR) helps on both.
Is it worth paying more for the faster one?
At 1080p or 1440p the FPS gap may not justify the extra cost; at 4K or with ray tracing the faster card matters more. Check the by-resolution table to decide.
Which has better ray tracing and upscaling?
AI upscaling (DLSS on NVIDIA, FSR on AMD, XeSS on Intel) raises FPS on both; for ray tracing, GeForce RTX cards usually lead. See each card’s support above.
How big is the FPS difference between them?
On average across top games, the gap is around 6% at 1080p. At higher resolutions (1440p and 4K) the relative difference usually stays similar.