Performance comparison: which is faster?
NVIDIA A100 SXM (NVIDIA, 2020) and GeForce RTX 4090 (NVIDIA, 2022) are compared here. Compare scores and VRAM, generative AI usability, and CPUs that pair well with each GPU.
Overall performance: A100 SXM is about 15.4% faster
For generative AI, the higher-VRAM A100 SXM（80GB） has the advantage. For gaming, prioritize performance score and CPU compatibility; for AI, prioritize VRAM.
Relative performance score (higher is faster). Actual fps varies by resolution, game, and CPU configuration.
| Item | A100 SXM | RTX 4090 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance Score | 45,000 | 39,000 |
| VRAM | 80GB | 24GB |
| Manufacturer | NVIDIA | NVIDIA |
| Series | Datacenter | RTX 40 |
| Release Year | 2020 | 2022 |
| Compatible CPU Example | Ryzen 9 9950X3D | Ryzen 9 9950X3D |
These generative AI models can run on only one GPU because of the VRAM difference (Stable Diffusion, Flux, LLMs, and others).
— None (all models that run on A100 SXM also run here)
| If You Want To... | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Prioritize high fps and smooth performance in demanding games | A100 SXM |
| Run larger generative AI and LLM models | A100 SXM |
| Prioritize value and adequate performance | RTX 4090 (the lower model is often sufficient) |
A100 SXM is about 15.4% higher by score (A100 SXM: 45000 points / RTX 4090: 39000 points). Actual fps also varies by resolution, game, and CPU, so price is a reasonable deciding factor when the gap is only a few percent.
A100 SXM has 80GB of VRAM, while RTX 4090 has 24GB; A100 SXM has more. If image generation or a local LLM is even a possibility, the higher-VRAM option provides more room.
Using our guideline, Ryzen 9 9950X3D pairs well with A100 SXM and Ryzen 9 9950X3D with RTX 4090 (CPU:GPU ≈ 0.9:1). If the CPU is too weak, replacing the GPU may not raise fps, so check the combination before buying.
