Nvidia's RTX 4090 is a behemoth of a GPU that can do much more than just max out modern games. It has uses that can vary across the board, which makes it a challenging addition to most PCs. After all, the RTX 4090 requires a beefy PSU, plenty of airflow, and a capable CPU to eke out its potential performance at full throttle.
Update, June 22nd, 2024, by Rahim Amir: The builds below have been updated to reflect a recent drop in RTX 4090 and current-generation motherboard and CPU prices even as the 14900KS is now in play for Intel users. This has allowed the team to reallocate some of the budget towards newer or higher-end PCI-E 5.0 SSD storage options, as well as better PSUs and cases where possible, even as the PC build market leverages better availability of the RTX 4090's various AIB options.
Why Should Users Consider Different RTX 4090 Builds Based On Their Needs?
The requirements for gamers, enthusiasts, and professionals can vary based on their needs. Gamers would ideally want to pair it with the highest-end gaming-centric CPU money can buy. At the same time, productivity-based users might take a more nuanced, multi-threading performance-centric approach. On the other hand, enthusiasts might want the fastest all-round PC that offers plenty of expansion, upgradability, and overclocking potential out of the box.
This means that RTX 4090-based PCs can not be a one-size-fits-all solution that performs best for gamers, creators, and professionals alike (but some builds come very close). Therefore, the team at Game ZXC has handpicked three different gaming PC builds that feature an RTX 4090 to eke out the highest possible performance from Nvidia's flagship GPU in 2024.
The Best RTX 4090 Gaming Laptops for 2024
An RTX 4090 Laptop is by definition pushing boundaries. Here are some of the best of the best in the business for gaming laptops!
The No-Holds-Barred RTX 4090 Gaming PC Build
-
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
$340 $449 Save $109The AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D is AMD's latest and greatest CPU when it comes to gaming. With an excellent and highly efficient gaming performance that tops the charts currently, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D is here to stay and has a crown to claim thanks to its 3D V-Cache-enabled prowess when it comes to gaming on a PC.
The octa-core CPU currently happens to be the fastest in the business for gaming even as it leads efficiency charts at the top, making it a very sought-after gaming upgrade. -
Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 A-RGB
The Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 A-RGB replaces its predecessor successfully without breaking the bank. This AIo cooler is hands down the top performer in the thermals department and brings an upgraded VRM fan and dedicated contact frames for the latest Intel and AMD platforms. Its 360mm radiator is highly effective at cooling, and the fans bring beautiful addressable RGB lighting for gorgeous lighting effects.
-
G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo RGB (AMD Expo)
G.SKILL Trident Z5 Neo RGB series is a specialized RAM kit for the AM5 platform with up to 6000 MT/s speed. The RAM kit brings exceptional RGB lighting on top of the heat spreaders and works at low latency. It's decently stable at the advertised speed and makes an ideal choice for gaming builds.
-
ASRock X670E Taichi Carrara
The ASRock X670E Taichi Carrara is one of the best-looking motherboards for AMD's latest Ryzen 7000 series CPUs. It also comes packed with features including excellent networking, storage options, and dual PCI-E 5.0 x16 slots in tow.
With excellent 24+2+1 power phases, high memory overclocking support, and RGB lighting on the motherboard itself, it should please gamers, enthusiasts, and power users looking beyond simply the excellent aesthetic it has on offer. -
ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX™ 4090 White OC
The Asus ROG Strix 4090 OC needs no introduction. It commands its own presence in the current market as the fastest GPU money can buy. It also arguably looks much better in white.
With 24GB of fast GDDR6X RAM on offer in addition to 16,384 CUDA cores on offer in addition to plenty of extras in the box for users looking to get one of the best-looking GPUs in the business, the Strix 4090 OC is a premium GPU and it looks and feels the part too in 2024 -
Crucial T700 NVMe SSD
The Crucial T700 NVMe SSD is a blazing-fast storage option that is perfect for gaming, productivity, media consumption, and more It comes with a heatsink keeping it cool during heavy operation. It can deliver read speeds of up to 12400 MB/s and write speeds of up to 11800 MB/s.
-
ASUS ROG Thor 1000W Platinum II
$308 $360 Save $52The ROG Thor 1000W Platinum II PSU is one of the quietest and most efficient PSUs available in the market. It comes in a sleek package that houses arguably one of the best-looking PSUs in the market currently, somewhat compensating for its relatively high asking price. The PSU also features a mirrored side panel that houses an OLED display.
-
Lian Li O11 Dynamic EVO XL
The Lian Li O11 Dynamic EVO XL is a full-tower all-white PC case with a smart design. The case allows users to reverse the chassis, meaning the tempered glass will face the right way if the PC is kept on either the left or right side of the setup. There is integrated RGB lighting and a seamless tempered glass side that flows almost seamlessly into the front panel. The Lian Li O11 Dynamic EVO XL can accommodate up to a 420mm radiator next to the motherboard and the same at the top or front using the included bracket. A full-sized GPU that's up to 450mm can also be used in this case.
For gamers looking to max out the performance of Nvidia's RTX 4090 for gaming, one can't go wrong with the gaming king of the hill, AMD's 8-core, 16-thread Ryzen 7 7800X3D. The octa-core CPU offers significant performance gains in games versus both higher-end AMD and Intel counterparts, retaining its performance crown well into 2024.
This is paired with a well-priced 32GB kit of handpicked low latency G.Skill memory on offer that can leverage the sweet spot for AMD's Ryzen 7000 series CPUs at 6000 MHz. This is despite AMD's X3D CPUs being less demanding in terms of RAM speeds due to their larger L3 caches in play. Users can upgrade to 64GB of total RAM by adding 2 of the same kit or by opting for a 64GB kit of the same option with further room to upgrade down the line.
The ASRock Taichi Carrara X670E is the centerpiece of the build, as it pushes an all-white look backed by its marble-themed design and even offers excellent VRMs. It also features M2 slots with extensive PCI-E 5.0 support that extends to both the GPU and the storage options, even as it leverages a large, customizable, and airflow-friendly Lian Li O11 Dynamic EVO XL to fit it all and future add-ons with ease.
One does need to point out that the O11 Evo XL, despite being an excellent case, ships with no fans preinstalled or in the box. To remedy this, users can leverage the Carrara's bundled limited-edition 120mm fan and take inspiration from some of the best cooling fan kits available.
The build leverages a large, but fast 2TB Crucial T700 SSD that ships with a large heatsink (the Carrara has dedicated heat spreaders on all slots that could potentially be used instead, if aesthetics are a concern) to allow users to experience PCI-E 5.0 speeds out of the box. On the cooling front, the Arctic Liquid Freezer III (one of the best coolers in the business) keeps thermals in check, allowing users to eke more performance out of the 7800X3D, which often sees its stacked cache running hotter than the cores underneath it.
To power a PC this impressive, a platinum-rated ASUS ROG Thor PSU rated at 1000W is one of the easiest suggestions to make, as it offers a native 12VHPWR connector, excellent efficiency, and an OLED display (that the O11 EVO XL does sadly conceal) in a neat, but slightly expensive package.
All in all, the updated-for-mid-2024 ultimate RTX 4090 gaming PC is built around maximizing performance while looking at both balance and relative value for money, without compromising meaningfully when it comes to performance for enthusiasts looking for something that can hold its own against the best gaming PCs out there.
Estimated Total Build Cost: ~$3,800
The Best Intel Core i9-based RTX 4090 Build
-
Intel Core i9 14900KS 24-Core, 32-Thread CPU
$648 $750 Save $102The Intel Core i9 14900KS 24-core, 32-thread CPU is Intel's special edition CPU take on its flagship 14th generation CPU, the Core i9 14900K.
It is essentially a cherry-picked 14900K SKU that can push higher clocks with up to a minimum of 6.2 GHz on its P-Cores, making it effectively the highest-clocked CPU out of the box to date when it comes to boost clocks from Intel.
It trades at a significant premium as a result and is expected, as a limited-run chip, to be a collectible SKU with high demand from enthusiasts and overclockers in 2024. -
ASUS ROG Ryujin III 360 ARGB AIO Liquid Cooler
The ASUS ROG Ryujin III 360 ARGB AIO Liquid Cooler is ASUS's latest premium tri-fan AIO that offers better cooling, an upgraded LCD, and a new Asetek 8th generation pump as some of its salient features. Thanks to a thicker radiator and a new cold plate, it can reduce temperatures drastically versus both its predecessor and its competition.
-
CORSAIR Dominator Titanium RGB DDR5 7200MHz CL36
CORSAIR Dominator Titanium RGB DDR5 7200MHz CL36 is a highly stable RAM kit that boasts a crazy good clock speed of 7200MHz with low latency. Perfect for Intel platforms, the Dominator Titanium also provides the new 24GB memory configuration and is ideal for overclockers and productivity enthusiasts. The new design features a decent-sized heatsink over the module with beautiful RGB LEDs.
-
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Dark Hero
The ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Dark Hero is the latest in a series of well-established Z790 Motherboards in the ROG lineup. It adds native Wi-Fi 7 support as one of the first motherboards in the industry to do so while throwing in better memory overclocking and power delivery.
It comes with a bolder aesthetic in addition to cutting down to four available SATA ports from the original Hero with an otherwise identical arsenal as it integrates its additional M2 slots on the board itself, eliminating the need for users to get space for the ROG Hyper M2 card its predecessor uses. -
Teamgroup T-Force Z540 M2 PCI-E SSD 1TB
The Teamgroup T-Force Cardea Z540 SSD offers some of the fastest PCI-E Gen 5 SSD speeds money can buy in 2024 while throwing in a thin, patented graphene-based heatsink to keep things low-profile by design.
It offers a whopping 11,700 MB/s sequential read and 9,500 MB/s sequential write speeds with decent random read/write speeds in tow,
With a 3,000,000-hour MBTF and 700 TBW rating along with a comprehensive 5-year warranty in tow, the Teamgroup T-Force Cardea Z540 SSD delivers on its promise as a premium PCI-E 5.0 SSD in 2024. -
ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 4090 OC Edition
$1980 $2300 Save $320The ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 4090 OC Edition may be one of its largest GPUs ever, but the patented design supports the most potent overclocking potential out of its peers.
With a vapor chamber in tow, the ROG Strix comes in both black and white and does not disappoint in either looks or power. It is easily the most powerful 4090 out there, clocking at a stable 3120 MHz in Game ZXC's in-house testing. -
Seasonic FOCUS GX-1000
$140 $200 Save $60The Seasonic FOCUS GX-1000 is a gold-rated full-modular PSU that conforms to both ATX 3.0 and PCI-E 5.0 specs. It also comes with a native 12VHPWR connector and a 135M Fluid Dynamic Bearing fan in tow.
Thanks to Seasonic's hybrid fan control, the FOCUS GX-1000 runs whisper-quiet at lower loads even as it is more compact than some of its peers.
It also throws in a free PSU tester and plenty of cable management options in a package that is surprisingly more affordable than the competition with a 10 year warranty in tow. -
HYTE Y60
There is no better mid-tower case to show off gaming rigs than the Hyte Y60. With three tempered glass panels, the Y60 case provides a nearly unobstructed view of the components. A dual chamber design enables builders to keep PSUs and cables tucked behind motherboards to avoid interfering with other components. The Y60 ships ready to vertically mount graphics cards with an included PCIe riser cable. Even with solid glass panels, the case still promotes airflow with extensive vents that wrap around the right side, top, and back of the chassis.
For the fastest Intel-based build possible, the team at Game ZXC pairs Intel's cherry-picked Core i9 14900KS with ASUS's ultimate RTX 4090 GPU variant, the ROG Strix OC. This allows it to leverage Intel's highest-end CPU for its powerful multi-core performance or newer XTU AI performance leeway, as well as its potential APO (Intel® Application Optimization) gains in titles.
The CPU's demanding thermal needs are met by the powerful ASUS Ryujin III AIO, which offers an 8th generation Asetek pump, as well as a cooling fan for on-board VRMs on the ASUS ROG Maximus Dark Hero. That GPU features a 20+1+2 stage configuration, allowing users to push Intel's highest-end desktop-grade CPU even higher.
This build leverages 48GB of Corsair's 7200 MHz Dominators with relatively low latency (CL36) along with a fast 1TB PCI-E 5.0 Teamforce T540 SSD. The T540 recently received a series of price cuts too, putting it in direct price competition with high-end PCI-E 4.0 alternatives.
This build leverages one of the most affordable PCI-E 5.0 and ATX 3.0 PSUs in the business, which is backed by a 10-year warranty by Seasonic, even as it offers a native 12VHPWR connector as part of the package. The suggested Hyte Y60 is a wildly popular option with most PC builders lately thanks to its premium build quality and modding options. Users can also opt for a DIY screen to go with the Y60, since it offers plenty of space for all the components above.
With a focus on value for money, aesthetics, and raw speed above all else, the Intel-themed build above has it all for gamers, productivity enthusiasts, and users who simply want a PC that looks great while running everything cranked up to the maximum possible in 2024.
Estimated Total Build Cost: ~$4,300
The Best RTX 4090 PCs in 2024
Finding the right components to support an RTX 4090 is a complicated process. These prebuilt gaming PCs maximize the potential of this powerhouse GPU.
The Best Work/Productivity RTX 4090 PC Build
-
AMD Ryzen™ 9 7950X3D 16-Core, 32-Thread Desktop Processor
$475 $699 Save $224The 16-core, 32-thread desktop AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D processor is AMD's answer to a resurgent Intel 13th generation processor lineup as it attempts to wrest back the gaming crown with the same technology that made the last generation 5800X3D such a powerful CPU.
With 128MB of L3 cache on offer, the Ryzen 9 7950X3D leverages its 3D V-Cache muscle in gaming as well as its powerful new Zen 4-based cores in productivity to make for a potent enthusiast-grade CPU in the offing. -
EK AIO Nucleus CR360 Lux D-RGB
EK AIO Nucleus CR360 Lux D-RGB stands as one of the most popular 360mm AIOs for providing excellent value for the money. Its big 360mm radiator is capable of keeping thermal throttling in intensive overclocking sessions and the digital RGB lighting on the fans and CPU block lightens up the chassis from inside.
-
G.Skill Trident Z5 NEO Series (AMD Expo) 64GB Kit CL30
The G. Skill Trident Z5 NEO sticks are a pair of 32GB RAM sticks that conform to AMD's more stringent EXPO memory requirements for overclocking. With tight timings and a CAS latency of just 30-40-40-96.
With a subtle RGB effect and a premium feel, the Trident Z Neo is one of the best premium RGB RAM sticks money can buy that is designed for AMD-based systems. -
Asus ROG Strix X670E-E WiFi
$455 $480 Save $25Asus ROG Strix X670E-E Wi-Fi is an overclocking master that stands out for its powerful VRM that is sufficient for intensive overclocking. The board features an ATX form factor with a black theme and brushed aluminum heatsinks for quick heat dissipation. The I/O shroud features a mesmerizing RGB lighting zone that can be controlled via Asus Aura Sync and the I/O itself is filled with plenty of fast USB ports, Wi-Fi, and BIOS buttons.
-
Crucial T705 2TB PCIe Gen5 NVMe M.2 SSD with heatsink
The Crucial T705 2TB PCIe Gen5 NVMe M.2 SSD is the latest and greatest storage solution from the company that is arguably one of the best players in the game. The T705 series boasts incredible transfer speeds and the 2 TB model takes the cake, offering up to 14,500 MB/s read speeds and write speeds of up to 12,700 MB/s. It does come with a heatsink for improved thermal efficiency.
-
ASUS TUF GeForce RTX® 4090 OC Edition
The ASUS TUF GeForce RTX 4090 OC Edition is a premium RTX 4090 SKU that offers some of the best vapor chamber cooling on offer in the industry coupled with industry-grade electronics to ensure a highly overclockable RTX 4090 GPU that delivers on both the performance and reliability counts for end-users.
-
MSI MPG A1000G PCIE5 PSU
$197 $200 Save $3The MSI MPG A1000G PCIE5 PSU is built from the ground up to support the ATX 3.0 spec while also being PCI-E 5.0 compatible in a fully modular design without costing an arm and a leg unlike some of its nearest competitors, making it a viable contender for a gaming PC.
-
Fractal Design North XL
The North XL by Fractal Design features a large and sophisticated design, suitable for a vast majority of living spaces, so long as there is enough vertical space to properly display this elegant beast. Offering a wide range of chassis fan and radiator compatibility up to 420 mm, the North XL is a magnificent option for both water cooled and air cooled PCs.
For users looking to leverage both the efficiency of Zen 4 and AMD's 3D V-Cache-centric gaming gains at a higher core count, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D is undoubtedly the best CPU money can buy currently. The 7950X3D is one of the few CPU upgrades one can recommend over the 7800X3D to productivity-centric professionals who also want to primarily game or work with 3D game engines, many of which put the cores to good use while offering similar performance in most games as its smaller 8-core sibling.
The build leverages a high-end ASUS ROG Strix X670E-E motherboard that offers plenty of expansion and future-proofing. It offers dual PCI-E 5.0 slots for the GPU in addition to as many as 3 PCI-E 5.0 SSD slots. This is backed by an additional PCI-E 4.0 M2 slot and quad SATA III ports, which – in addition to Wi-Fi 6E, 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet, and Bluetooth 5.2 – make for a well-rounded connectivity stack.
The build goes for an expensive, but extremely fast PCI-E 5.0 storage option, leveraging the 2TB version of the Crucial T705. Meanwhile, this build also employs the flashy, powerful ASUS TUF RTX 4090 OC, one of the fastest RTX 4090 SKUs money can buy thanks to a beefy cooler, allowing it to boost higher than the competition. The productivity-centric build deploys 64GB of fast, low-latency, and cost-effective tuned-for-Ryzen G.Skill Neo RAM that runs at the 6000 MHz that AMD recommends for its higher-end AM5-based CPUs.
All of this is housed in the aesthetic Fractal Design North XL case, which offers a very versatile option for customization thanks to its modular design that supports up to E-ATX motherboards. The build, despite its impressive CPU and SSD options, stays below $4,000, with the TUF RTX 4090 taking up nearly half of its build cost. Productivity-centric users would find some of the choices excellent, future-proof picks that allow them to leverage PCI-E 5.0 storage and GPUs in the near future as well as next-generation AM5 CPUs in the coming days.
Estimated Total Build Cost: ~$3,800
The Best Custom Intel Core i9 14900K PC Builds
Game ZXC has put together a set of PC builds that are designed to take full advantage of Intel Core i9 14900K at three different performance tiers.
FAQ
Q: What is the fastest gaming CPU for the RTX 4090?
The AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D is the fastest gaming CPU one can get with the Nvidia RTX 4090 currently.
Q: Is the RTX 4090 PCI-E 5.0 ready?
The RTX 4090 is essentially a PCI-E 4.0 x16 GPU. However, it can work with PCI-E 5.0 x16 slots that offer de facto PCI-E 4.0 support, thanks to backward compatibility being an inherent feature of the standard, without any performance issues.
