NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 and RTX 4070: Specs, Successors and Who Should Still Buy

The GeForce RTX 4070 family (RTX 4070 and RTX 4070 SUPER) suits gamers who want strong 1440p performance with ray tracing and DLSS 3 at moderate power draw, while the RTX 4090 suits buyers who want maximum 4K performance and can afford its power, size and scarcity. Both belong to NVIDIA’s Ada Lovelace generation, both now have RTX 50-series successors, and the 4090 in particular is hard to find new in 2026. This guide explains the maker-listed specs, what has changed, and who should still look at these cards.

RTX 4090 and RTX 4070 at a glance

The core counts, memory, power and connector figures come from NVIDIA’s product pages for the RTX 4090 and the RTX 4070 family. The status row reflects press reports described below rather than a maker announcement.

VIPERA NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Founders Edition Graphic Card

Picked as a relevant option in this category.

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NVIDIA - GeForce RTX 4070 Super 12GB GDDR6X Graphics Card - Titanium/Black

Chosen because it specifies GeForce RTX 4070 Super 12GB GDDR6X Graphics Card and Titanium/Black.

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NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Founder's Edition (FE) Graphics Card - Titanium and Black (900-1G141-2544-000)

Chosen because it specifies Titanium and Black (900-1G141-2544-000).

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ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB GDDR7 OC Edition Gaming Graphics Card | PCIe 5.0, HDMI 2.1b, DisplayPort 2.1b, 2.5-slot, Axial-tech Fans, 0dB Technology, Dual BIOS

Chosen because it specifies PCIe 5.0 and HDMI 2.1b.

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RTX 4090: what the maker lists

NVIDIA lists the RTX 4090 with 16,384 CUDA cores, 24 GB of GDDR6X on a 384-bit bus, a boost clock of 2.52 GHz and a total graphics power of 450 W. The reference-style card is a three-slot design about 304 mm long. NVIDIA’s page lists support for DLSS 3.5, AV1 encode and decode, and up to four independent displays, with 4K at 240 Hz or 8K at 60 Hz using display stream compression.

Reviewers positioned it at launch as the fastest consumer GPU of its generation and a card aimed at 4K gaming at high refresh rates, heavy ray tracing and creative or AI workloads that benefit from 24 GB of memory. The practical downsides are well documented: its size, its power requirement and its connector. Because the card draws up to 450 W, NVIDIA lists an 850 W minimum power supply and a 12VHPWR-style Gen 5 cable or the supplied adapter.

Connector safety

The 16-pin power connector on high-power cards has been the subject of overheating reports. Follow the graphics card maker’s and the power supply maker’s instructions: push the connector fully into the socket, avoid sharp bends close to the plug, and make sure the side panel does not press against the cable. If you see melted plastic, discoloration or a burning smell, stop using the card, unplug the system and contact the card maker or a qualified technician. Do not open the power supply yourself.

Is the RTX 4090 still sold?

Press coverage from TechRadar and Notebookcheck reported that RTX 4090 production was winding down in late 2024 to make way for the RTX 5090. Later coverage describes remaining supply as scarce. The RTX 5090 itself has faced constrained supply, and Tom’s Hardware, TechSpot and TweakTown report that NVIDIA says it has not been discontinued but has limited availability. In practice, a buyer looking for a 4090 in 2026 will mostly find used or leftover stock, and condition and warranty details matter.

RTX 4070 and RTX 4070 SUPER: what the maker lists

NVIDIA’s RTX 4070 family page lists 5,888 CUDA cores for the RTX 4070 and 7,168 for the RTX 4070 SUPER. Both carry 12 GB of memory, with the 4070 offered in GDDR6 or GDDR6X variants and the SUPER in GDDR6X. Total graphics power is listed at 200 W and 220 W respectively, and the maker lists a 650 W minimum power supply for both. Reviews of the SUPER, including Tom’s Hardware and HotHardware, describe it as a refresh that raised core counts and clocks over the original 4070 and placed it as a 1440p card that can also manage 4K at moderate settings.

The same reviews flag 12 GB of video memory as the main limit for the future, and Tom’s Hardware also notes the adapter-based power connection as a drawback. The cards support DLSS 3 frame generation, which reviewers treat as an important feature for ray-traced games, although the benefit depends on the title.

Performance class by resolution

These descriptions follow reviewer summaries rather than fixed benchmark numbers, because results vary by game and settings.

Successors and what to buy instead

The RTX 50-series is the current generation. Sportskeeda’s comparison lists the RTX 5070 at 6,144 CUDA cores with GDDR7 memory, PCIe 5.0 and a power rating near 250 W, and it adds DLSS 4. Fewer cores does not mean slower, since the architecture and memory differ, so compare reviews rather than core counts. Reports from early 2026 suggested that RTX 50 SUPER refreshes were delayed amid memory supply pressures, so treat any rumor about them cautiously.

• Instead of an RTX 4070 SUPER: an RTX 5070 or RTX 5070 Ti, or a Radeon RX 9070 series card, if you want new stock with a full warranty.
• Instead of an RTX 4090: an RTX 5090 if you can find one, or an RTX 5080 for high-end gaming with lower power needs. For heavy AI or video work, check how much memory your workload needs.
• Staying on 40-series: a used RTX 4070 Ti SUPER (16 GB, 285 W per NVIDIA) is the step between the 4070 SUPER and the 4090.

A note for laptop shoppers

Laptop GPUs that use the same names, such as a laptop RTX 4070 or laptop RTX 4090, are different chips with different core counts, memory and power limits from the desktop cards covered here. Laptop makers also set the power limit per model, so two laptops with the same GPU name can perform differently. Read the laptop maker’s specification sheet for the exact configuration and do not assume desktop figures apply.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the RTX 4090 discontinued?

Press reports say production ended around late 2024 as the RTX 5090 arrived, and remaining stock is scarce. NVIDIA’s own product page still lists the card’s specifications. Expect to find mainly used or leftover units.

What power supply does an RTX 4090 need?

NVIDIA lists an 850 W minimum power supply and either three PCIe 8-pin connections through the adapter or a PCIe Gen 5 cable rated 450 W or higher. A higher rating may be needed depending on the rest of your system, so follow the card maker’s and PSU maker’s guidance.

Is the RTX 4070 SUPER worth it over the RTX 4070?

It has more CUDA cores (7,168 versus 5,888) and a higher power rating (220 W versus 200 W), and reviewers describe it as a meaningful step up at the same 12 GB of memory. If the price gap is small, the SUPER is the better pick. If the 4070 is much cheaper, it remains a solid 1440p card.

Is 12 GB of VRAM enough for the RTX 4070 SUPER?

For 1080p and 1440p gaming it is adequate in most current games, but reviewers flag it as a potential limit for high-resolution textures and 4K. If you plan to keep the card for many years, a 16 GB option may age better.

Should I buy a used RTX 4090?

Only from a seller who can show the card working and ideally offers a return window or warranty transfer. Inspect the power connector area for heat damage and confirm the card matches your case and PSU. Because the card’s power draw is high, a quality power supply is essential.

Which RTX 50-series card replaces the RTX 4070?

The RTX 5070 is the direct successor by name and positioning. It uses GDDR7 memory, PCIe 5.0 and adds DLSS 4, according to the comparison coverage above. Read independent reviews to see how it compares at your resolution.