At the moment, the RTX 3090 is perhaps the most powerful GPU that you can buy in the market, and although I do understand that not a lot of people are going to want to spend that much money when they can get something affordable like the younger siblings but if you do not want any compromises, then getting an RTX 3090 is the right thing to do.
However, with so many variants available, finding the best RTX 3090 GPU is something that can be difficult, and I’m going to sort it out as I look at the best offerings that you can buy in the market in this very instance.
I do understand the complication that some people might go through but do not worry, as I am here to help you find the right option. I have listed almost all the variants I know are excellent, so you do not have to be confused in any case.
A Quick Look At The Best RTX 3090 Graphics Card
image | name | price | specs |
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ASUS ROG Strix RTX 3090 OC |
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GIGABYTE AORUS RTX 3090 Xtreme |
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ZOTAC Gaming RTX 3090 Trinity OC |
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MSI RTX 3090 GAMING X TRIO |
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EVGA RTX 3090 FTW3 Ultra Gaming |
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ASUS ROG Strix RTX 3090 White OC Edition |
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ASUS TUF Gaming RTX 3090 OC |
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NVIDIA RTX 3090 Founders Edition |
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Best RTX 3090 GPU
Honestly, if I am looking at the market for the best RTX 3090 GPU , the one thing I can say with complete certainty is that finding the right RTX 3090 is not something that will be a difficult ordeal. Quite the contrary as you can easily find some amazing options and that too, without any issues.
#1- ASUS ROG Strix RTX 3090 OC
Specifications
- Shade Units: 10496
- ROPs: 112
- Core Clock: 1395 MHz
- Boost Clock: 1860 MHz
- Memory Clock: 1219 MHz
- GPU: GA102
- Transistors: 28000M
- Memory: 24GB, GDDR6X, 384-bit.
Highlights:
- Offers faster performance than the RTX 3080.
- 4K at 60 FPS is easily achieved.
- Manual power adjustment.
- Massive factory overclock.
- Great overclocking potential.
- Great RGB implementation.
- Supports all the modern RTX features and connectivity options.
Drawbacks:
- It can be loud on the default BIOS.
- Can heat up.
- Overclocking is a bit complicated.
I have been a diehard Asus fan ever since I got my hands on their GTX 1080 Strix OC variant, and after that, I never really looked back because that GPU was one of the best performers in the market, absolutely crushed the competition and that too, without any issues.
I am so glad that the company decided to continue the series, and the ROG Strix 3090 OC is just a testament to how far Asus has come in terms of the user experience. Sure, you are paying a premium, but the good thing is that the performance alone justifies it.
Clock Speeds & Features:
Of course, you are looking at one of the more powerful versions of the RTX 3090, so it is only safe to assume that the performance is going to be there, as well. Not just that, you are also going to get a set of excellent features that would make the experience better.
Thankfully, the same is the case here as the ASUS ROG Strix RTX 3090 OC brings a 1395 MHz core and an 1860 MHz boost clock. However, the good news is that it can easily go beyond 2000 MHz, all thanks to GPU boost doing the work, and that is one feature that I truly love in modern GPUs.
There is more, though. You are also getting the famous Aura Sync along with onboard headers for extra fans and RGB lights. So, if you do want to go ahead and spice up your PC, you can completely do it with this GPU aside from an excellent feature set.
Thermals & Cooling:
We are all aware of the fact that the RTX 3000 series does run on the hotter side, but thankfully, you do not have to worry about the ASUS ROG Strix RTX 3090 OC.
Why do I say that? Well, this is one of the best-cooled CPUs that I can think of. Asus has used a high-quality heat sink and really good fans to ensure that you are not running into any thermal issues.
If you are wondering about thermal throttling, then that is one thing that is not going to happen to begin with. A great offering that is not going to let you down in any case.
My Findings:
Overall, the ASUS ROG Strix RTX 3090 OC is one of the best, if not the best, GPUs that you can buy in the market. If you are specifically looking at the RTX 3090 variants, then this might as well be the best you can buy in the market. Sure, it is not easy to come by and certainly a cheaper one, but the performance alone is excellent in every case.
#2- GIGABYTE AORUS RTX 3090 Xtreme
Specifications
- Shade Units: 10496
- ROPs: 112
- Core Clock: 1395 MHz
- Boost Clock: 1860 MHz
- Memory Clock: 1219 MHz
- GPU: GA102
- Transistors: 28000M
- Memory: 24GB, GDDR6X, 384-bit.
Highlights:
- Solid in-game performance.
- Excellent cooling system.
- Comes with a customizable LCD panel.
- Lots of accessories.
- Thermal and power efficiency remains excellent.
Drawbacks:
- Takes up 4 PCI-E slots.
- You probably need a GPU bracer.
There is no denying that when you are talking about excellent GPUs, Gigabyte’s Aorus series is one of them, and although this is far different than their Eagle lineup, Gigabyte has truly decided to push the limits with the Aorus lineup with the RTX 3000 series.
It certainly is a good thing, but I would highly suggest that you are ready to be blown away because this GPU demands to be taken seriously.
Clock Speeds & Features:
For anyone who is looking at the GIGABYTE AORUS RTX 3090 Xtreme and wants the extremes of performance, this is the right thing that you are looking at as it does not disappoint in any case. The performance here is amazing and remains that way without a doubt.
Thankfully, in terms of the clock speeds, you are getting a hefty overclock with a base of 1395 MHz and a boost of 1860 MHz. Both of the scores being certainly impressive, allowing you to have a wonderful experience.
As far as the features are concerned, you are getting a usual set of features such as RGB, manual fan control, and more.
However, this one also comes with a small display that can show various things. I know it is a gimmick, but it is a gimmick I don’t mind as long as you are using it the right way.
Thermals & Cooling:
Gigabyte has never been to hold back when you are talking about performance, and that has not changed this time around, either. Why? The performance you are looking here is excellent, to say the least, and this GPU is a beast in cooling.
After all, it comes with a hefty cooler that takes up 4 slots, and if that does not tell you about his prowess, I do not know what will.
My Findings:
Honestly, I was not really surprised when I put my hands on the GIGABYTE AORUS RTX 3090 Xtreme. Sure, it is a big boy, but something told me I knew what I was getting into, and I was not wrong. The GPU is everything I had expected and more, and honestly, I am glad.
#3- ZOTAC Gaming RTX 3090 Trinity OC
Specifications
- Shade Units: 10496
- ROPs: 112
- Core Clock: 1395 MHz
- Boost Clock: 1710 MHz
- Memory Clock: 1219 MHz
- GPU: GA102
- Transistors: 28000M
- Memory: 24GB, GDDR6X, 384-bit.
Highlights:
- Keeps the performance going.
- Understated looks.
- Just the right amount of lighting.
- Does not take a lot of space.
Drawbacks:
- Thermals are not much better than the founder’s edition.
- The same goes for the performance.
I have always believed that when you are talking about aftermarket GPUs, Zotac is one of the brands that end up getting a bad rep.
As someone who has used their Amp Extreme variations, I can tell you that you should not be taking Zotac lightly, but with the RTX 3000 series, the company has decided to do something different.
Wherein they have revamped their lineup and released some really interesting models, with the ZOTAC Gaming RTX 3090 Trinity OC being one of the entry-level offerings.
Clock Speeds & Features:
In terms of the clock speeds and features, the ZOTAC Gaming RTX 3090 Trinity OC is slightly on the more modest side, and while this might be a problem for some people, I have come to realize that there is nothing really wrong here as the GPU is still delivering good performance overall.
The core clock is still 1395 MHz, but the boost goes down to 1710 MHz; however, the GPU easily crosses 1800 MHz in real-world tests, so you should not be that worried. As far as the overall feature-set, with the Trinity, Zotac has kept it modest to keep the cost down.
You are getting RGB lighting, but it is not as aggressive, so you should not really have to look into that much. The card, thankfully, still looks amazing.
Thermals & Cooling:
In terms of the cooling and other aspects, the GPU that you are getting is nothing wild, to be honest. Like I said, for the most part, the ZOTAC Gaming RTX 3090 Trinity OC plays safely.
The thermals are good, and so is the cooling, but if you are expecting an absolute beast of a cooler and overall thermal prowess, then that is not something that you are going to get here, and honestly, it really is not a bad thing.
My Findings:
After spending a decent amount of time with the ZOTAC Gaming RTX 3090 Trinity OC, I can safely say that the GPU is excellent in terms of performance.
Sure, you are not getting the performance that is groundbreaking, but you still are looking at an RTX 3090, and that still is an impressive GPU that you are looking at.
#4- MSI RTX 3090 GAMING X TRIO
Specifications
- Shade Units: 10496
- ROPs: 112
- Core Clock: 1395 MHz
- Boost Clock: 1785 MHz
- Memory Clock: 1219 MHz
- GPU: GA102
- Transistors: 28000M
- Memory: 24GB, GDDR6X, 384-bit.
Highlights:
- The performance remains excellent.
- Great cooling.
- Good overclock out of the box.
- The aesthetics are amazing.
- RGB implementation is nicely done.
Drawbacks:
- Manual overclocking is a bit tricky.
- Not a lot of overclocking headroom.
This is something that a lot of my friends do not know, but MSI was the first GPU company for me, and back then, I bought the Radeon HD 2600. Yes, I am old.
Ever since that, MSI has managed to become one of the best companies when you are talking about aftermarket GPUs and other components.
Sure, the company is no longer what it used to be and is now churning out almost everything that you need to build a PC, and that is a good thing. So, it is safe to say that the MSI RTX 3090 GAMING X TRIO is a hit.
Clock Speeds & Features:
The MSI RTX 3090 GAMING X TRIO does come with a decent overclock right out of the factory, which is always great. The thing is that the RTX 3000 as a whole is not a good overclocking GPU, so anything that you get out of the factory is always good because you know that it has been tuned properly.
For the MSI variant, you are still looking at decent speeds with a 1395 MHz core clock and 1785 MHz boost clock, which certainly goes higher than this thanks to GPU boost being a great addition.
As far as the features are concerned, you are not being robbed here as the MSI RTX 3090 GAMING X TRIO does bring all the necessary features, including manual controls, along with RGB lighting and sync, so you are getting all those things without any issues.
Thermals & Cooling:
This should not come as a surprise but cooling the RTX 3000 series is not an easy thing; the GPUs do run hot, and it is one thing that almost all of us have admitted as well.
Thankfully the MSI RTX 3090 GAMING X TRIO manages to remain cool, and while I would not say that this is the coolest a GPU runs, the thermals are good enough that the performance is not going to be in a hurdle, and you are still getting good results overall.
My Findings:
It really should not come as a surprise, but the MSI RTX 3090 GAMING X TRIO manages to be an excellent GPU for anyone who is in the market looking for an RTX 3090. The performance remains top-notch, and the GPU manages to perform adequately and without any major downsides that might change your mind. Truly a champion.
#5- EVGA RTX 3090 FTW3 Ultra Gaming
Specifications
- Shade Units: 10496
- ROPs: 112
- Core Clock: 1395 MHz
- Boost Clock: 1800 MHz
- Memory Clock: 1219 MHz
- GPU: GA102
- Transistors: 28000M
- Memory: 24GB, GDDR6X, 384-bit.
Highlights:
- One of the best RTX 3090.
- A solid blend of aesthetics and elegance.
- Great RGB implementation.
- Solid boost clocks.
- Great thermals.
Drawbacks:
- Limited overclocking headroom aside from the factory overclock.
For those who are familiar with what goes inside the PC industry, it is safe to say that everyone is aware of the company EVGA has become over the past couple of years.
When you are talking about enthusiast products, EVGA happens to be one of the best in terms of the performance and well, overall value. Not just that, their warranty period is amazing, too. So, it is only fair that the EVGA RTX 3090 FTW3 Ultra Gaming is something that I feature on my list.
Clock Speeds & Features:
If you are looking to buy the EVGA RTX 3090 FTW3 Ultra Gaming just for the sake of clock speed and features, you would be happy to know that EVGA is a GPU that would suit you really well as it more or less checks every box that one can imagine.
With that said, you are getting a 1395 MHz base and 1800 MHz boost clock, which only means that if you do want to push this GPU to its limit and beyond 2000 MHz, you can easily do that.
As far as the feature-set is concerned, you name it, and the GPU has got it. Everything ranging from manual controls to RGB lighting and monitoring, you have it, and it works really well, too. So, you are never really in a situation where you might feel like making changes to the GPU.
Thermals & Cooling:
EVGA is one of the companies that are known for how good the thermals and cooling are on their GPUs, and this is very evident in the EVGA RTX 3090 FTW3 Ultra Gaming.
The GPU runs really cool and quiet, for the most part, and the best thing is that if you are into stellar thermals, you are going to get access to that, as well.
The best part is that if you do feel like the card is not cooling the way it should, you can take it apart and change the thermal pads; you can easily do that without losing access to the warranty, making EVGA one of the best in the business.
My Findings:
If you have been in the market for some time looking for a good RTX 3090, there is no doubt that the EVGA RTX 3090 FTW3 Ultra Gaming is among the best, and the performance alone is something that justifies it, but you get more than just the performance with this, and that is what I love about it.
#6- ASUS ROG Strix RTX 3090 White OC Edition
Specifications
- Shade Units: 10496
- ROPs: 112
- Core Clock: 1395 MHz
- Boost Clock: 1860 MHz
- Memory Clock: 1219 MHz
- GPU: GA102
- Transistors: 28000M
- Memory: 24GB, GDDR6X, 384-bit.
Highlights:
- The white version looks excellent.
- Top of the shelf performance.
- Great thermals.
- Hefty overclock out of the box.
Drawbacks:
- Little room for manual overclocking.
When you are talking about trying out new brands, Asus is never a company that would stay conservative because we have seen some excellent offerings from the company that made no sense, but they were excellent.
So, when the company released the ASUS ROG Strix RTX 3090 White OC Edition, I was already on board. Sure, my PC is all black, but the idea of having an all-white build is something that has been tempting me for the longest time.
Clock Speeds & Features:
The good news is that in terms of performance, the white edition is more or less the same as the standard one, and well, the only difference here is the color scheme.
Needless to say, the GPU is still one of the most compelling offerings that you can get your hands on if you are looking for great performance.
You are getting the standard 1395 MHz of base/core clock and up to 1890 MHz of boost clock. Needless to say, the performance is on par with the best out there.
For the feature set, you are looking at more or less the same features that you are getting in the standard version of RTX 3090 Strix. The Aura Sync, temperature monitoring, as well as fan and LED headers are all there.
Thermals & Cooling:
Another great thing here is that you are getting some really nice thermals with this GPU. Sure, this is something that you would expect from such a beefy heatsink, but a lot of times but you have to admit that the performance in terms of thermal is great, so if you are worried that the cooling might not be on par, that is not going to be the case here.
My Findings:
Honestly, if you have the money to pull it off, the ASUS ROG Strix RTX 3090 White OC Edition is one of the best RTX 3090 available in the market, and it is also one of the fastest.
So, you are not really getting something that is not going to be all there, and that is what I do love about this.
#7- ASUS TUF Gaming RTX 3090 OC
Specifications
- Shade Units: 10496
- ROPs: 112
- Core Clock: 1395 MHz
- Boost Clock: 1740 MHz
- Memory Clock: 1219 MHz
- GPU: GA102
- Transistors: 28000M
- Memory: 24GB, GDDR6X, 384-bit.
Highlights:
- The overall styling is excellent.
- Dual BIOS is convenient.
- 4K performance is rock solid.
- Beautiful thermal performance.
Drawbacks:
- Overclocking headroom is limited.
It should not come as a surprise to anyone that Asus introduced the TUF lineup as a budget offering for those who are looking for solid build quality but are not in the mood to spend a lot of money.
However, soon, the TUF lineup ended up having a fan following itself to the point that a lot of people would prefer the more affordable TUF components to ROG or Strix.
With that said, the ASUS TUF Gaming RTX 3090 OC is an excellent offering that you can go for if spending more money is not something that you feel like doing.
Clock Speeds & Features:
Although the ASUS TUF Gaming RTX 3090 OC is a great offering for anyone who wants a 3090, it is important to know that compared to the ROG Strix variant, you are looking at slightly lower clock speeds.
Thankfully, the lower clock speeds do not drastically translate into lower overall performance, which means that you are still getting an excellent GPU.
The TUF 3090 OC manages to give a boost clock of 1740 MHz, which might seem low, but the card easily reaches close to 2000 MHz thanks to the GPU boost, allowing you a great overall experience.
As far as the feature-set is concerned, you are still looking at a great GPU and all the goodness that comes with Asus GPUs. There is even RGB lighting, and even though it is not as aggressive, it still is there and nicely done. There is also dual BIOS, so if you do want that, you can get that feature with ease.
Thermals & Cooling:
I will be honest, I was a bit concerned about the performance that I might get from the ASUS TUF Gaming RTX 3090 OC, but after using it for some time, I am more than happy to report that in terms of thermals and cooling, this is one of the most impressive GPUs that I have come across and that is not a joke, to be honest.
If you want solid thermals, then this is it. Even when the GPU is under 100% load, you are getting temperatures that are under 60C, and if that is not impressive, I really do not know what is.
My Findings:
Honestly, after using the ASUS TUF Gaming RTX 3090 OC for some time, it should not really come as a surprise that the GPU is one of the best if you want a great overall experience without making too many compromises.
#8- NVIDIA RTX 3090 Founders Edition
Specifications
- Shade Units: 10496
- ROPs: 112
- Core Clock: 1395 MHz
- Boost Clock: 1695 MHz
- Memory Clock: 1219 MHz
- GPU: GA102
- Transistors: 28000M
- Memory: 24GB, GDDR6X, 384-bit.
Highlights:
- The performance remains excellent.
- 4K performance is smooth.
- Good cooling and minimal noise.
Drawbacks:
- The looks might not be for everyone.
The last GPU on my list is going to feature is none other than the NVIDIA RTX 3090 Founders Edition. I do understand that for a lot of people, this is not something they are looking for, but hey, you still are getting an impressive 3090 even if it is a stock offering and the performance is going to be great, in any case.
Clock Speeds & Features:
Now, it should not really be an eyeopener for anyone that the NVIDIA RTX 3090 Founders Edition comes with factory clocks, and while I do understand that it is a problem in many cases for the overclockers, you are not losing a ton of performance here. So, in most cases, if you do have this card, you will do just fine.
The Founders Edition manages to boost up to 1695 MHz, which is superficial at best because the GPU Boost is known to push the card even further.
In terms of features, you are getting the usual set of features such as DLSS, Raytracing, and industrial looks, but if you are in search of some of the more advanced features, you might have to look elsewhere.
Thermals & Cooling:
Before putting the GPU on the testbench, I had my doubts because I have had terrible experiences with reference GPUs in terms of thermals and cooling. Thankfully, that sort of issue is not here because the NVIDIA RTX 3090 Founders Edition manages to do really well in terms of thermals.
Sure, it is not on par with some of the other aftermarket offerings but what you are getting here is still impressive.
My Findings:
If you are strictly looking for something that is going to be good in every case, getting the NVIDIA RTX 3090 Founders Edition is the right thing because you are not going to be let down in terms of the performance, and that is a great thing, to be honest.
How To Choose The Best RTX 3090 Graphics Card? (Buying Tips)
Now that we are done discussing about the best RTX 3090 GPU available in the market, the next step is to start focusing on some of the basic tips that will help you find the right GPU. I do understand that this is a concern for a lot of people, so let’s get to it.
- Your Budget: The RTX 3090 is not a cheap card, we all know. However, the variants that are available in the market will vary in terms of the pricing, so you have to be certain that you are deciding on the budget before spending money.
- Rest of the Specs: The RTX 3090 is a power-hungry monster, so it is only fair that you are doing it justice by pairing it with equally powerful components, or else you are in for some severe bottlenecking, and that is one thing that no one really wants.
- Space: Yes, that is right. I know back in the past, I never really discussed it, but the RTX 3000 GPUs are massive, so you do need to figure out what sort of case you have and see if everything is compatible.
- Your Use Case: Not everyone is going to buy the RTX 3090 for gaming because it simply is not something that is good for just gaming. It actually is a powerful workhorse, too, and when you are in the market, you have to figure out what you are looking to get because it is an important thing to look into.
How Does The Basic RTX 3090 Card Performs?
Now comes the performance. Thankfully, you would be happy to know that the RTX 3090 is one of the best GPUs when you are talking about performance, as it manages to perform like a champion in almost every game.
The GPU is actually meant for 4K gaming, so you are not really going to face any issues. However, even if you do feel like going to 8K, you would be able to pull it off.
Below are some of the games and their respective frame rates at 4K.
- Death Stranding: 113 FPS.
- Horizon Zero Dawn: 79 FPS.
- Rainbow Six Siege: 201 FPS.
These are just some of the benchmarks, and on average of 14-games, the GPU managed to perform adequately and delivered a respectable 120 FPS, which is impressive, to say the least, and something you will not regret.
End of The Line:
It should not really come as a surprise that the RTX 3090 is clearly one of the best GPUs available in the market, and if you are looking at the best RTX 3090 that is available in the market, then you are at the right spot as the whole list focuses on the best offerings that are available in the market. The performance is excellent to the point that you are not going to be in any regrets.