RTX 3090 vs RTX 4090 for Blender
Compare RTX 3090 and RTX 4090 for Blender Cycles. See benchmark performance, VRAM, power ratings and checked prices side by side. RTX 4090 leads the Blender benchmark score by 128.1%.
Fastest in Cycles
RTX 4090
128% faster than RTX 3090
Most VRAM
Tie
Same memory capacity
Lowest power draw
RTX 3090
22% lower rating than RTX 4090
Cheapest
RTX 3090
53% cheaper than RTX 4090
Best value for money
RTX 4090
7% better value than RTX 3090
GPU comparison
Key specifications for Blender rendering.
| Spec | RTX 3090 | RTX 4090 |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest price | $1,975.00 Checked Oct 19, 2026 | $4,199.00 Checked Oct 19, 2026 |
| Value for money | 2.57 | 2.76 +7% |
| Blender benchmark score | 5,082.71 | 11,591.61 +128% |
| VRAM | 24 GB More capacity for heavy scenes | 24 GB More capacity for heavy scenes |
| System PSU | 750 W Manufacturer requirement−12% | 850 W Manufacturer requirement |
| Performance | ||
| CUDA cores | 10,496 | 16,384 +56% |
| Boost clock | 1.70 GHz | 2.52 GHz +48% |
| RT cores | 82 | 128 +56% |
| Tensor cores | 328 | 512 +56% |
| Memory | ||
| Memory bandwidth | 936.2 GB/s | 1,010 GB/s +8% |
| Memory type | GDDR6X | GDDR6X |
| Memory bus | 384-bit | 384-bit |
| Memory speed | 19.5 Gbps | 21 Gbps +8% |
| Platform | ||
| Architecture | Ampere | Ada Lovelace |
| Render support | OptiX, CUDA | OptiX, CUDA |
| TDP | 350 W −22% | 450 W |
| Release year | 2020 | 2022 |
Blender Cycles benchmarks
Estimated seconds / frame Lower is faster
RTX 3090
Blender 5.2.0 · OptiX · 91 runs
RTX 4090
Blender 5.2.0 · OptiX · 81 runs
Junkshop
Monster
Classroom
Which GPU should you choose for Blender?
RTX 4090 is the stronger Blender rendering pick here, and both cards have the same VRAM capacity.
Cycles rendering performance
RTX 4090 leads by 128.1% in the Renderjuice Blender benchmark model (11,592 vs 5,083). For render-time-first decisions, that is the card to prioritize.
VRAM and scene capacity
Both cards have 24 GB of VRAM, so the decision is less about scene capacity and more about render speed, architecture, power draw, and price.
Power ratings and cooling
RTX 3090 is the lower-power option at 350 W TDP, compared with 450 W for RTX 4090. If render speed is close, that can make RTX 3090 easier to cool and run quietly.
Is the upgrade worthwhile?
RTX 4090 is both the newer and faster Blender rendering choice here. The main reason to choose RTX 3090 would be price, availability, existing ownership, or a specific workstation requirement.
Comparison summary
RTX 4090 leads the Blender benchmark score by 128.1%.
Fastest in Cycles: RTX 4090 128% faster than RTX 3090.
Most VRAM: Tie Same memory capacity.
Lowest power draw: RTX 3090 22% lower rating than RTX 4090.
Cheapest: RTX 3090 53% cheaper than RTX 4090.
Best value for money: RTX 4090 7% better value than RTX 3090.
Both GPUs ship with 24 GB of VRAM, so the tradeoff is more about speed, architecture, and efficiency than memory capacity.
If you are deciding between these cards for Blender, focus first on Blender benchmark score, VRAM capacity, memory bandwidth, and whether your scenes are likely to benefit more from raw speed or extra memory headroom. The comparison table above keeps those tradeoffs in one place.