The INSANITY that is owning the RTX 4090 | Long term review

Techwando
1 May 202418:12

TLDRThe video provides a long-term review of the RTX 4090 graphics card, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses. The reviewer acknowledges the high cost of the card, which can range from $1,600 to $2,000, as a significant drawback. They discuss the card's exceptional performance in gaming and video editing, noting its ability to handle high frame rates and resolutions, as well as its efficient use of 24GB of VRAM. However, concerns are raised about the 12V high power connector, which has caused issues such as melting, and the high power draw, leading to increased electricity costs. The size of the card is also criticized for its bulkiness, which may not fit well in all computer cases. Despite these issues, the reviewer appreciates the card's good temperature management and its superior performance for content creation. They conclude that while the RTX 4090 is a powerful card, it is not recommended for most consumers due to its price and the imminent release of more cost-effective models in the future.

Takeaways

  • 💰 **High Cost**: The RTX 4090 is expensive, with prices ranging from $1,600 to $2,000, which is more than the cost of many people's entire computers.
  • 🔌 **Connector Issues**: The 12V high power connector has been problematic, with some users experiencing melting connectors, which is a significant stability concern.
  • ⚙️ **Power Draw**: The card has a high power draw, especially when paired with an Intel processor, which can lead to substantial electricity costs.
  • 💰 **Price to Performance Ratio**: The RTX 4090's MSRP is high and the market prices have been inflated, making it a poor value proposition for most consumers.
  • 📦 **Size Concerns**: The card is very large, which can cause compatibility issues with some computer cases and may not fit well in smaller form factors.
  • 🎮 **Gaming Performance**: The RTX 4090 excels at gaming, providing high frame rates at 4K resolution, although some heavily optimized games may still present limitations.
  • 📊 **Future-Proofing**: The card is currently a top-tier 4K gaming card but may become more suited to 1440p gaming as time goes on and games become more demanding.
  • 🌡️ **Temperatures**: Despite their size, the RTX 4090 cards run cool, which is a positive aspect of their large cooling solutions.
  • ✂️ **Editing Performance**: The card offers excellent performance for video editing, making it a good choice for content creators who can afford its high price tag.
  • 👎 **Market Dynamics**: The constant market fluctuations and high costs make the RTX 4090 a difficult card to recommend for most consumers, especially with new generations on the horizon.
  • 🔄 **Upgrade Cycle**: The speaker suggests that for many users, it would be more prudent to opt for a lower-tier card that offers better value, as the RTX 4090 is more suited for those with significant disposable income.

Q & A

  • What is the main topic of the video script?

    -The main topic of the video script is a long-term review of the RTX 4090 graphics card, discussing its positives and negatives.

  • What is the price range mentioned for the RTX 4090 in the video?

    -The price range mentioned for the RTX 4090 is between $1,600 to $2,000, which the speaker considers to be quite high.

  • What is the biggest negative aspect of the RTX 4090 discussed in the video?

    -The biggest negative aspect discussed is the 12V high power connector issue, which has caused problems such as melting connectors.

  • What is the issue with the 90° cable mod adapter mentioned in the video?

    -The 90° cable mod adapter has caused real problems when used with the RTX 4090, leading to issues like melted connectors. The adapter has been recalled and is not recommended for use.

  • How does the power draw of the RTX 4090 affect the user's experience?

    -The high power draw of the RTX 4090, especially when paired with an Intel processor, can lead to a significant increase in electricity consumption, resulting in a higher monthly bill.

  • What is the reviewer's opinion on the future of the RTX 4090 in terms of gaming performance?

    -The reviewer believes that the RTX 4090 has reached its peak for 4K gaming performance and predicts that in a few years, it will be more of a 1440p card, requiring downscaling or upscaling for 4K games.

  • Why does the reviewer consider the RTX 4090 not a good recommendation for most people?

    -The reviewer considers the RTX 4090 not a good recommendation for most people due to its high cost, the upcoming release of the 5000 series, and the existence of better value options like the 4070 TI for those who are not solely focused on top-tier gaming or content creation.

  • What is the reviewer's stance on the size of the RTX 4090 graphics card?

    -The reviewer finds the size of the RTX 4090 to be ridiculously large, causing physical space issues inside computer cases and making it a comical sight when compared to the size of a human hand.

  • What are the positive aspects of the RTX 4090 mentioned in the video?

    -The positive aspects of the RTX 4090 include excellent performance in video editing, good temperatures, and high frame rates at 4K and 1440p resolutions for gaming.

  • Why did the reviewer decide not to water cool their RTX 4090?

    -The reviewer decided against water cooling their RTX 4090 to maintain the ability to swap out the card for content creation and because the air cooling performance was already very good, making the additional cost and effort of water cooling less justifiable.

  • What is the reviewer's view on the current state of the graphics card market and its impact on recommending the RTX 4090?

    -The reviewer feels that the current state of the graphics card market, with its high prices and rapid changes, makes it difficult to recommend the RTX 4090. They believe consumers are looking for better value and performance for the price, rather than top-tier cards.

Outlines

00:00

🚨 RTX 490 Long-Term Coverage: Pros and Cons

The speaker discusses their long-term experience with the RTX 490 graphics card, highlighting its performance in video production and gaming. They acknowledge the card's high cost, which they consider 'ridiculous,' and share how they came to own the card after their previous one died. The biggest negative mentioned is the 12V high power connector issue, which has caused problems like melting connectors. The speaker also touches on the power draw of the card, its high cost, and its large size, which can cause fitting issues in some computer cases.

05:00

💻 RTX 490 Performance and Efficiency Considerations

The paragraph focuses on the performance aspects of the RTX 490, particularly in video editing and gaming at 4K and 1440p resolutions. The speaker mentions that while the card can handle 4K gaming well, they often use it for 1440p due to their multi-monitor setup. They also discuss the limitations of certain games like Cyberpunk 2077 and the impact of high settings on frame rates. The speaker predicts that the card will eventually become more suited to 1440p gaming as games become more demanding, and praises the card's temperature management, despite the large size of the cards in this generation.

10:01

💰 The Cost and Market Dynamics of the RTX 490

This section addresses the high price point of the RTX 490 and how it compares to other cards in the market. The speaker criticizes the MSRP and the inflated prices due to the AI boom, which led to cards being sold for as much as $2,500 to $3,000. They also discuss the card's size as a significant drawback due to its large physical dimensions. The speaker shares their personal experience with the card's size, fitting issues, and the comical nature of its proportions when compared to other components.

15:02

🎮 The RTX 490: A High-End Card for Content Creators and Enthusiasts

The speaker reflects on the RTX 490's suitability for different types of users. They argue that the card is an excellent choice for content creation and high-end gaming but is not recommended for the average gamer due to its cost. The speaker also talks about the challenges of recommending Nvidia's 40 series cards due to various caveats and market fluctuations. They express a desire to align with their audience's preferences for value and performance, suggesting that the next generation of cards should offer better value to meet consumer expectations.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡RTX 4090

The RTX 4090 is a high-end graphics card developed by Nvidia, known for its powerful performance in gaming and video editing. In the video, it is discussed as being almost too powerful for regular gaming needs and having a high price tag, which makes it a controversial choice for many consumers. The reviewer mentions using it for producing videos and the issues they've faced with it, such as power connector problems.

💡12V high power connector

The 12V high power connector is a component of the graphics card that has been a point of concern due to potential design flaws. The video mentions issues with this connector melting, which has caused stability problems for the RTX 4090. The reviewer discusses the hazard it poses to the overall reliability of the card during use.

💡Cable mod

Cable mod refers to a company that provides modifications for cables, such as the 90° adapter mentioned in the video. The script discusses how using a 90° adapter from Cable mod with the RTX 4090 can exacerbate the power connector issue, leading to more problems. The company's products have been recalled due to these issues.

💡Power draw

Power draw refers to the amount of electrical power a device consumes. The RTX 4090 is noted for its high power draw, especially when paired with an Intel processor. This can lead to increased electricity costs and is a significant consideration for potential buyers, as highlighted by the reviewer.

💡MSRP (Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price)

MSRP is the price at which a manufacturer recommends that a product be sold. The video discusses the RTX 4090's MSRP being $1,600, but notes that the actual market prices were much higher, sometimes reaching up to $3,000 due to supply and demand issues, making it a less attractive option for consumers.

💡4K gaming

4K gaming refers to playing video games at a resolution of 3840×2160 pixels, which is a standard for high-definition video displays. The RTX 4090 is capable of running most games at 4K with high settings, providing a high-quality gaming experience. However, the reviewer suggests that as time progresses, the card may be more suited to 1440p gaming as games become more demanding.

💡Video editing performance

Video editing performance pertains to the efficiency and effectiveness of a graphics card when used for editing video content. The RTX 4090 is praised in the video for its excellent video editing capabilities, with the reviewer noting that it significantly improves their workflow and overall experience, despite the high VRAM usage.

💡Temperatures

Temperatures, in the context of the video, refer to the operating heat of the graphics card. The RTX 4090, particularly the Founders Edition, is noted for maintaining good temperatures even under heavy load, which is attributed to its large size and efficient cooling system.

💡Content creation

Content creation involves the production of digital media content, such as videos, graphics, and animations. The video emphasizes that the RTX 4090 is a good card for content creation due to its high performance capabilities, despite its high cost and other drawbacks.

💡Value proposition

The value proposition refers to the perceived worth of a product relative to its cost. The reviewer discusses the RTX 4090's poor value proposition for most consumers, especially gamers, due to its high price and the availability of other cards that offer better value for money.

💡Nvidia 30 series

The Nvidia 30 series refers to the previous generation of graphics cards from Nvidia, which the reviewer mentions as offering better value compared to the 40 series. The video script implies that the 30 series was a more recommendable option for consumers due to its balance of performance and cost.

Highlights

The RTX 4090 has been a reliable card for video production, despite its high price.

Ownership of the RTX 4090 can be seen as extravagant, with prices ranging from $1,600 to $2,000.

The reviewer received the RTX 4090 as a replacement after their RTX 4080 from Zotac failed.

The card's power connector has been a significant issue, with potential for melting if not properly modified.

The power draw of the RTX 4090 is substantial, leading to increased electricity costs.

The MSRP of the RTX 4090 was $1,600, but aftermarket prices significantly exceeded this, reaching $2,500 to $3,000.

The size of the RTX 4090 is a concern, with the card being much larger than previous models.

The RTX 4090 excels at gaming, offering high frame rates and 4K resolution capabilities.

The card's performance in video editing is excellent, with smooth timeline scrolling and fast rendering.

The RTX 4090 maintains good temperatures, even under heavy load, thanks to its large cooling system.

The reviewer suggests that the RTX 4090 may be too powerful for the average gamer and not cost-effective.

With upcoming releases, it may be better to wait for the 5000 series rather than invest in the RTX 4090.

The reviewer feels a responsibility to recommend value-oriented cards over high-end models like the RTX 4090.

The RTX 4090 is a powerful card for content creation, but its high cost makes it less suitable for most consumers.

The current market and consumer expectations make recommending the RTX 4090 difficult due to its price and upcoming alternatives.

The reviewer expresses a personal conflict in owning such a high-end card, recognizing the desire for more affordable options.