Feeling let down by Nvidia’s 50-series launch, I’m contemplating whether to stick with my current RTX 3090 or move on. I’m gaming at 4K with a 144Hz display, paired with a 5800X non-3D, soon upgrading to a 9800X3D. My 3090 handles 4K decently, but it struggles with some titles for 144 FPS. I was eyeing the 5090, but the performance uplift versus its price and power draw is disappointing, especially for the absurd prices here in South Africa—$3,777 to $4,166 if it’s even in stock. So, what should I do? Stick with my 3090, or consider a 4090 or maybe something else entirely?
4 Answers
Check out AMD’s options too. Sure, Nvidia usually edges them out in high-end cards, but this year, with Nvidia’s prices going through the roof, AMD might have a competitive edge. Waiting for AMD’s new releases could pay off if you’re open to jumping ship from Nvidia.
I’d suggest considering the 4090. It’s a more balanced upgrade from the 3090, especially performance-wise against its cost compared to the 5090. The 4090 should give you a good high-fps experience at 4K while keeping things a little more reasonable on the price front. It’s still not cheap, but definitely more approachable than the 5090.
Another approach is to hold tight for a few months. Sometimes these launches make prices drop a bit after the initial hype fades. If 5090 prices stay crazy, then a 4090 could be the safer bet, or just stick with your 3090 if it’s not urgent.
If you’re looking to maintain 4K at 144 FPS, it might be worth considering something like the 4080, if the RAM is sufficient for your needs. It offers solid performance that can be comparable to a 4090 depending on your games. So evaluate if 16 GB of RAM will cut it for you.