Four years ago today, Nvidia launched the GeForce RTX 4090 with a considerable $1,499 MSRP. In retrospect, this price point now seems almost reasonable, especially when compared to current offerings. For instance, an RTX 5080 is currently listed for $1,640, a significant increase over the RTX 4090's launch price for a tier below the previous generation's top-tier card. This stark comparison highlights the dramatic shift in graphics card pricing over the past four years.
Compounding the issue, the RTX 5090, the direct successor to the 4090, has become exceptionally difficult to acquire. Its availability is so limited that it's no longer consistently tracked on price watch pages, with remaining listings often from third-party sellers at inflated prices. Furthermore, recent rumors suggest Nvidia may have halted production of RTX 5090 chips for the consumer market, redirecting the GB202 silicon towards data center and professional GPUs. This potential shift exacerbates an already tight supply situation.
Reflecting on the RTX 4090 now evokes a sense of nostalgia. This card, even today, boasts impressive specifications: 24 GB of GDDR6X memory, 76.3 billion transistors, and 16,384 CUDA cores, representing a substantial leap over its predecessor. Its physical presence is also notable, with the Founders Edition card being a substantial piece of hardware. Many gamers who invested in the RTX 4090 at its launch have continued to enjoy its immense power, finding it still capable of handling demanding tasks.
When reviewed, the RTX 4090's price was certainly a point of contention, but its performance was undeniable. It also provided an early look at DLSS Frame Generation technology. For those who could afford the initial investment, the RTX 4090 proved to be a highly capable card that has aged remarkably well. In contrast, the RTX 5080's higher cost and the ongoing debate surrounding Multi Frame Generation technology, which supports the RTX 5090, make the 4090's initial value proposition appear even stronger in retrospect.
The RTX 5090, launched with an MSRP of $1,999, has faced criticism regarding its price-to-performance ratio, despite outperforming the RTX 4090. The implementation of Multi Frame Generation, announced alongside the RTX 5080, RTX 5070 Ti, and RTX 5070, has been a divisive topic. While it can significantly boost frame rates, it also fuels the ongoing discussion about "fake frames" and the perceived value of such technologies.
For owners of the RTX 4090, the upgrade path to the newer generation may not seem compelling, given the continued high performance of their existing card. The current GPU market, with its escalating prices and emphasis on features like Multi Frame Generation and DLSS 5, suggests a future where raw performance might be secondary to AI-driven enhancements. Nvidia's focus on neural rendering indicates a potential shift in GPU development priorities.
Considering the current graphics card market, the RTX 4090 stands out as potentially the last halo GPU that offered a semblance of sensible value for consumers. It embodied a degree of future-proofing, a concept now less certain given the rapid advancements and cost increases in the industry. The escalating cost of graphics cards suggests that future flagship models, like a potential RTX 6090, will likely be significantly more expensive and further incorporate AI-focused hardware. The trajectory of graphics card pricing and technology makes the RTX 4090's four-year anniversary a moment to reflect on a time when high-end GPUs were more straightforward, powerful, and relatively more accessible.