Used 3090 or new 4070/4070TI?

[kestrel79]

There's a couple people selling used 3090s locally, would you guys take a 3090 over a new 4070 or 4070TI?

I play MSFS2020, DCS, IL2, iRacing in VR. Is the 24GB of ram put to good use? I'm scared of buying used, leaning towards new.

[VirusAM]

If you use VR, the 24gb vram of the 3090 will give you good benefits.

Other then that 4070 ti would be a better choice..You will have access to DLSS3 (in the other sim for now) and slightly better performances in general.

[kestrel79]

Hey thanks!

 

I forgot DLSS3 is only supported in the 4000 line of cards, right? More games are moving to that correct? MSFS2020 already has it I believe. Hmm leaning that way right now. 12GB of VRAM is twice as much as I have right now...2060 6GB.

[Mr_sukebe]

We know that DLSS support is inbound to DCS, though expecting it soon is probably being rather hopeful.

If I were buying a new card, I’d want DLSS3 capability.  I know that it’s only generating fake frames, but the reviews I’ve seen do suggest that in real usage scenarios that I helps with the smoothness of games

[LucShep]

If DCS and VR are a serious part of your free time, consider GPUs with at least 16GB of VRAM, with preference for Nvidia models.
The RTX4080 16GB is almost the perfect option, the problem is the crazy high prices - maybe why so many still end up deciding between a used RTX3090 or a new RTX4070Ti.

The RTX3090 may be older, eat more watts and run hotter, but it has double the VRAM (24GB vs 12GB) which is GDDR6X (=pretty expensive) and also double the memory bus size (384-bit vs 192-bit) when compared to the RTX4070Ti. I won't even consider the RTX4070 here because it isn't on the same picture.

More VRAM is very important for DCS, as it can and will use upwards of 14GB of VRAM with certain maps and modules when combined.
For example, F-14A/B launching from carrier and then over Syria, high settings at 4K resolution, VRAM can and will hit 14GB+ at some point (note: not allocated, used!).
More memory bus size is also very important for DCS, because it's the rate at which data can be read from or stored, like a maximum theoretical bandwidth (like more lanes dedicated for traffic, the greater the flow). It's important especially at higher resolutions and with bigger data in use (such as the many enormous textures of DCS!).

So, those are very important aspects for higher resolutions (4K and VR) and makes the RTX3090 the stronger product of the two for DCS, also for longer term, even if it only supports up to DLSS 2.x (RTX4070Ti supports newest DLSS 3.x). 
As said on some other thread, DCS doesn't support DLSS. When and if it does (it's unknown what version will be supported), it's not like version 2.x isn't good enough... so the DLSS part here is a moot point. 

Both RTX3090 and RTX4070Ti are absolutely horrible value if brand new from the store. 
But you can get an RTX3090 used (2nd hand) in mint condition these days for less than half of the (outrageous) prices that they try to sell them new.
None of that is happening with used RTX4070Ti.

All of which makes the RTX3090 far more appealing, and a better investment IMO.
Even if it's an older model launched well over two years ago, and even if it's one bought as 2nd hand product.

One thing that should be added is that the RTX3090 requires at least a quality 850W+ PSU, whereas you might get away with just 700W+ if with a RTX4070Ti.
That said, the RTX3090 really appreciates undervolting, which is easy and a "must do" for anyone using one (see forum thread here).

Edited November 13, 2023 by LucShep

[MIghtymoo]

I considered a used 3090, closed my eyes and got a used 4090 for «just» USD 500,-more. Much newer and much more powerful.

Better future proofing.

[kestrel79]

Luc great answer, thanks for taking the time to write that. 

Unfortunately I went with the new 4070ti in hopes our favorite sims would adapt dlss 3, get something new under warranty and not from some kid that did who knows what to it. But I may upgrade down the road as Mightymoo did and get something faster with more ram once I have a little more cash.

[kestrel79]

This is what I decided to go with that fit in my budget. Thanks for the help!

Ok new PC is built! Haven't had time yet to hook up my Oculus Rift S and try out IL2 in VR, that's still coming. Looking forward to turning more graphics on in VR for IL2, DCS, MSFS2020, iRacing.

 

Intel i5 13600 cpu

Noctua nh-d15s cpu cooler

Gigabyte z790 Aorus Elite AX motherboard

2 x 32GB GSkill Ripjaws RAM

Gigabyte 4070ti graphics card

Samsung 980 Pro 2TB ssd

Corsair 850w psu

Fractal Define 7 case

Windows 11

 

First time using Windows 11...ick. Tried to make it look like W10 as much as I could. But it runs pretty snappy. Might have to look up some tweak guides.

[Phil_A]

I also recently got the 4070 TI.  At 1440p, it is only slightly faster than a 3090 but it draws a lot less power.   I am finding that hovering helicopters in DCS seems a bit easier with a faster GPU.   I tried frame generation on MSFS2020 out of curiosity but did not like the artifacts.  The 4070 TI is not a good value at MSRP but a better value than the 4080.

[kestrel79]

I wanted the 3090, I really did. But the used ones by me just looked a little shady. It was worth a couple bucks more to get something brand new with a warranty that runs games about the same performance on less power that will last awhile.

Is frame generation DLSS 3? I was hoping more games would take advantage of that that I play in the sim world...

[Qcumber]

On 6/21/2023 at 5:10 PM, kestrel79 said:

Haven't had time yet to hook up my Oculus Rift S and try out IL2 in VR, that's still coming

How did you get on with the rtx4070ti and the rift s? I am thinking of upgrading my GPU. 

[kestrel79]

This is sad, still haven't had time really to fire it up yet on my new computer.