Introduction
NVIDIA continues to dominate the high-performance GPU market with the release of the RTX 5090. But how does it compare to the previous generation RTX 4090 and the still-popular RTX 3090? We benchmarked all three using Blender and V-Ray, two of the most widely used 3D rendering applications.
Test Setup
To ensure accurate results, we tested all three GPUs on the following high-end system:
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 7950X
- RAM: 64GB DDR5 (Corsair Dominator Platinum)
- Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD (Samsung 990 Pro)
- OS: Windows 11 Pro
Performance Benchmarks
Blender Benchmark Scores
We tested all three GPUs using Blender’s built-in benchmark suite:
| GPU | Blender Score |
|---|---|
| RTX 5090 | 15,090 |
| RTX 4090 | 11,201 |
| RTX 3090 | 5,272 |
The RTX 4090 delivers more than double the performance of the RTX 3090, while the RTX 5090 outperforms the 4090 by an impressive 35%.
V-Ray Benchmark Scores
In V-Ray, the results follow a similar trend:
| GPU | V-Ray Score |
|---|---|
| RTX 5090 | 15,033 |
| RTX 4090 | 10,843 |
| RTX 3090 | 4,968 |
Again, the RTX 4090 offers a significant jump over the RTX 3090, with the RTX 5090 extending that lead even further.
Price-to-Performance Analysis
Performance is important, but cost plays a crucial role in choosing the right GPU.
| GPU | Launch Price (USD) | Launch Price (EUR) |
|---|---|---|
| RTX 5090 | $1,999 | €2329 |
| RTX 4090 | $1,599 | €1,949 |
| RTX 3090 | $1,499 | €1,499 |
As of 2025, the second-hand market remains highly active, with the RTX 4090 remarkably holding close to its original launch price. Despite being over two and a half years old, the card’s strong demand and limited availability have kept resale values exceptionally high.
| GPU | Used Price (USD) | Used Price (EUR) |
|---|---|---|
| RTX 4090 | ~$2100-2150 | ~€1,950-2000 |
| RTX 3090 | ~$800-850 | ~€750-800 |
The RTX 5090 is undeniably the most powerful, but its high price and limited availability make the RTX 4090 the best value option. Meanwhile, the RTX 3090 remains a budget-friendly choice.
Best Choice for Small Studios
For a small 3D rendering studio, the RTX 4090 currently provides the best balance of performance, price, and availability. With many studios upgrading to the 5090, used 4090s can be found at a discount.
If you’re on a tight budget, the RTX 3090 is still a viable option. Its 24GB VRAM ensures it can handle large scenes, even if it lacks the raw power of newer models.
Conclusion
The RTX 5090 is the new performance king, but for most professionals, the RTX 4090 remains the smartest choice due to its strong second-hand availability and excellent price-to-performance ratio. The RTX 3090, while aging, still holds value for budget-conscious studios.
Further Reading
For more information, check out these resources:
