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The RTX 3090 is the pinnacle of the Ampere gaming lineup. Replacing the Titan series, the RTX 3090 combines 24GB of GDDR6X memory with other key improvements over the RTX 3080 in a package that is the fastest gaming GPU at the moment. If you want to check out GPUs that won’t cost you an arm and a leg or just want to learn more about graphics cards in general do visit our graphics cards section.
Those sweet 24 gigabytes of super-fast memory will also work great when combined with rendering and video editing apps. Anyway, considering the price we have a surprisingly high number of custom RTX 3090 models. We’ve combed the GPU market and found the best RTX 3090 graphics cards for various usage scenarios.
If you want to combine an RTX 3090 with an ITX case and create an ultimate SFF build do check our guide for the best Mini-ITX cases. On the other hand, if you want to admire your RTX 3090 in all its glory check our best vertical GPU cases guide. Finally, the RTX 3090 can be a tough cookie to cool so it’s maybe best to check our guide that includes the best airflow PC cases.
1. ASUS TUF Gaming RTX 3090: Best value RTX 3090 graphics card
The ASUS RTX 3090 TUF Gaming is the best value RTX 3090 GPU. The card has great build quality, large metal cooler shroud and backplate, unrivaled thermal performance, as well as five video ports two of which are HDMI 2.1. While the competition is just behind ASUS when it comes to RTX 3080 cards, the situation is a bit different on the RTX 3090 market.
The Gigabyte Eagle OC, Zotac Trinity, MSI Gaming Trio, and the Palit GamingPro all have noticeably worse thermal performance. Also, some of the cards have dubious build quality despite costing as much as a usable used car. While any base RTX 3090 model will net you about the same performance and OC potential (which is close to none), the TUF gaming is noticeably ahead of the competition when it comes to the build quality, thermals, and performance.
2. ASUS ROG Strix RTX 3090 OC: Best RTX 3090 graphics card for overclocking
The RTX 3090 ROG Strix OC from ASUS is the the best RTX 3090 graphics card for overclocking. The reasons for higher than average OC potential are the excellent cooling system, superb build quality, and pretty high power limit.
About three to five percent higher OC performance is the maximum for the air cooler found on the ROG Strix card. If you’re ready to install a custom water block or a custom GPU cooler you can probably squeeze a couple of extra frames. If you think that’s a good idea do check out our best GPU cooler guide.
Just don’t forget this: Ampere cards have lousy overclock potential because Nvidia is already pushing the chip to the max with very high boost clocks achieved even on base models.
3. ASUS TUF Gaming RTX 3090 OC: Best air cooled RTX 3090 model
Okay, while the RTX 3090 TUF Gaming OC technically has the best cooler on the market, you can get the RTX 3080 ROG Strix if you have more cash. While it has higher thermals than the TUF OC it also comes with a much higher factory OC.
If we take this fact into account, we can conclude that both models have awesome coolers even though thermals are slightly better on the TUF Gaming OC card.
Other RTX 3090 models can’t keep the chip below 70 degrees Celsius but that shouldn’t be the reason for skipping those. The working temperature of about 75-76 degrees Celsius is still a great result when you have to cool such as a powerful chip.
4. EVGA RTX 3090 Hybrid FTW3: Best water-cooled RTX 3090
The 3090 FTW3 from EVGA is a beastly, water-cooled, RTX 3090 version. This card comes with a custom AIO liquid cooler that can push temperatures lower than the best air coolers found on any GPU. Of course, the premium cooling solution comes with a few caveats.
First of all, you need the space for the radiator, no matter how small it will be (probably 120mm version). Next, the price will be considerably higher than for any air cooler RTX 3090 model. At the end of the day this is the best liquid-cooled RTX 3090 with a price to match.
5. KFA2/Galax RTX 3090 EX Gamer White: Best white RTX 3090
When it comes to the white RTX 3090 cards, we only have one model at the moment. It’s the Galax GeForce RTX 3090 EX Gamer White. This card could be an excellent pairing with a white motherboard. If you want to make such combo a reality, we have a guide for the best white motherboards.
The EX Gamer White combines a white cooler shroud with a white backplate and the result is pretty good. The PCB itself and the heatsink are black but overall, the result is quite attractive. You also get a lot of RGB LEDs placed all over the three fans.
6. Palit RTX 3090 GameRock: Best RGB RTX 3090
At the moment, the best RGB RTX 3090 card is the Palit RTX 3090 GameRock. The card features a transparent cooler shroud with lots of RGB LEDs installed under it. The result is one of the best RGB implementations we’ve seen.
Combined with a card riser the GameRock could create a serious light show. Especially if combined with a flashy MoBo. And yes, we have the best RGB motherboard guide in case you want to create a blinding light show.
7. ASUS ROG Strix RTX 3090 OC: Best RTX 3090 overall
All things considered, the ASUS ROG Strix RTX 3090 OC is the best RTX 3090 card on the market. It has the best performance, the highest factory overclock, and excellent thermals considering its boost clock and performance.
The card also looks stunning with a marvelous industrial design and subtle but impressive RGB implementation. Finally, the build quality of this card is superb. If you want a durable RTX 3090 card with high boost clocks and an attractive design the ROG Strix is by far the best choice.
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