Aftermarket GPU question

[VelikiPCguy]

Hey all, first-time poster, first-time PC builder. I'm looking into getting a new GPU for a beast gaming PC, and I'm wondering about the various aftermarket versions of the RTX 3090 (EVGA, Gigabyte, MSI, etc.). I was told the EVGA GeForce RTX 3090 Kingpin Hybrid Gaming is the best / fastest for gaming (which is what I'll primarily be using it for), but I'm interested in hearing everyone's opinions.

 

Does it really make a difference which one you choose? Which one is best for a gamer?

[AndreiArgeanu]

10 minutes ago, NewwGuyy123 said:

Does it really make a difference which one you choose? Which one is best for a gamer?

Considering the current shortages, the one you can find in stock at an ok price is the best one to be honest.

[Blai5e]

@NewwGuyy123 - any 3090 is going a beast of a gamer card (as is the case for many of the 3080's). You might be a bit naïve to think you'll get a 3090 KP card that easily. I have the 3090 FTW3 Ultra with a waterblock and for Port Royal, I get within 500 points (using a 9900k @5.1GHz, 500W VBIOS) of a KP (the KP has a 520W VBIOS).

[VelikiPCguy]

10 minutes ago, AndreiArgeanu said:

Considering the current shortages, the one you can find in stock at an ok price is the best one to be honest.

Yeah granted, but say you're spoilt for choice. Does any aftermarket version come out as the clear (or even slight) winner?

[VelikiPCguy]

5 minutes ago, Blai5e said:

@NewwGuyy123 - any 3090 is going a beast of a gamer card (as is the case for many of the 3080's). You might be a bit naïve to think you'll get a 3090 KP card that easily. I have the 3090 FTW3 Ultra with a waterblock and for Port Royal, I get within 500 points (using a 9900k @5.1GHz, 500W VBIOS) of a KP (the KP has a 520W VBIOS).

Probably am naive, but if you could have your pick of absolutely any GPU, which one would you pick?

[AndreiArgeanu]

3 minutes ago, NewwGuyy123 said:

Yeah granted, but say you're spoilt for choice. Does any aftermarket version come out as the clear (or even slight) winner?

Not really, most RTX 3090 cards have good cooling, except for a few models which make my skin crawl (looking at you Asus Turbo RTX 3090). But if you were to sort by highest boost clock and pick a card, technically the EVGA RTX 3090 KINGPIN gpu would be the best. If you want to look at all gpu models in one place and make some judgements yourself you can check techpowerup

https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/geforce-rtx-3090.c3622

[VelikiPCguy]

2 hours ago, AndreiArgeanu said:

Not really, most RTX 3090 cards have good cooling, except for a few models which make my skin crawl (looking at you Asus Turbo RTX 3090). But if you were to sort by highest boost clock and pick a card, technically the EVGA RTX 3090 KINGPIN gpu would be the best. If you want to look at all gpu models in one place and make some judgements yourself you can check techpowerup

https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/geforce-rtx-3090.c3622

Got it, thanks!

[Blai5e]

6 hours ago, NewwGuyy123 said:

Probably am naive, but if you could have your pick of absolutely any GPU, which one would you pick?

Depends on what you really want to do with your GPU, you might be wasting money going to the 3090 over a 3080. Are you running games in 4k with settings maxed out? Are you using software that can make use of the extra VRAM? Do you have a strong enough CPU that will allow the GPU to reach it's potential?

 

If your pockets are really deep, the K|ngP|n card is a beast although like other 3090 variants, the rear VRAM can get very hot. Below that, the EVGA FTW3 Ultra or the ASUS ROG Strix OC would be good picks (assuming your wallet doesn't care about the hit) . At least there's a better chance of getting your hands on a 3090 over a 3080 due to the 50-75% price premium meaning less people are vying for the cards.