Buying Guide
The Best GPUs for Machine Learning
From the Gigabyte 4070 Ti Super Windforce MAX to the ASUS TUF RTX 5090: five graphics cards ranked on video memory and GPU, with who should skip each one.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Most machine learning tools target NVIDIA's CUDA, and VRAM decides which models fit. Every pick is an NVIDIA RTX card with 16GB or more, ordered by VRAM.
Our comparison rests on published figures for GPU, VRAM and memory; nothing here was tested in-house, and where a maker leaves out boost clock, we say so.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Largest Video Memory
ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 5090
The largest video memory here (32GB).
Best for: Buyers who put video memory first.
Our take Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 5090 (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
PNY GeForce RTX 4090 Verto Triple Fan
16,384 CUDA cores and up to 1,008GB/s of memory bandwidth.
Best for: Buyers who want 16,384 CUDA cores and up to 1,008GB/s of memory bandwidth.
Our take Check price for PNY GeForce RTX 4090 Verto Triple Fan (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 4090 OC Edition
A vapor chamber with a milled heatspreader.
Best for: Buyers who want vapor chamber with a milled heatspreader.
Our take Check price for ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 4090 OC Edition (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Super WINDFORCE MAX OC
The lowest price among these graphics cards at the time of writing.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
Our take Check price for Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Super WINDFORCE MAX OC (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Super Solid OC
Three 100mm fans with FREEZE fan stop.
Best for: Buyers who want three 100mm fans with FREEZE fan stop.
Our take Check price for ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Super Solid OC (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Largest Video Memory1 of 5
ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 5090 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The ASUS TUF RTX 5090 is in a class of its own with 32GB of GDDR7 and 21,760 CUDA cores.
Best for
- Buyers who put video memory first.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Gigabyte 4070 Ti Super Windforce MAX cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
At the time of writing it cost several times more than the other cards here, so it only makes sense when nothing slower will do. On video memory it leads this guide at 32GB, ahead of the PNY 4090 Verto (24GB). An RTX 5090 gpu is unique to it among these picks, while the ROG Strix 4090 uses an RTX 4090 gpu.
It is the only pick here with GDDR7 memory; the PNY 4090 Verto has GDDR6X memory instead. You also get a 512-bit memory bus at 28Gbps and a GPU holder in the box. No dimensions are published for the ASUS TUF RTX 5090; get length and thickness from the maker's page first.
Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the ASUS TUF RTX 5090 with the maker. Only the ROG Strix 4090 came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 5 picks.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 5090
- VRAM: 32GB
- Memory: GDDR7
- Outputs: 3 x DisplayPort 2.1b, 2 x HDMI 2.1b
Pros
- 32GB of VRAM, room for large local AI models as well as games
- Faster GDDR7 memory
- 512-bit memory bus at 28Gbps
- 21,760 CUDA cores
Cons
- Costs more than the Gigabyte 4070 Ti Super Windforce MAX at the time of writing
Also Consider2 of 5
PNY GeForce RTX 4090 Verto Triple Fan on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
PNY's Verto runs the RTX 4090 at NVIDIA's reference 2520MHz boost with up to 1,008GB/s of memory bandwidth.
Best for
- Buyers who want 16,384 CUDA cores and up to 1,008GB/s of memory bandwidth.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Gigabyte 4070 Ti Super Windforce MAX was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It cost the least of the RTX 4090 cards here at the time of writing. It matches the ROG Strix 4090 on video memory (24GB). Like the ROG Strix 4090, it has an RTX 4090 gpu, while the Zotac 4070 Ti Super Solid OC uses an RTX 4070 Ti Super gpu.
No dimensions are published for the PNY 4090 Verto; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the PNY 4090 Verto with the maker. Its price falls between the Zotac 4070 Ti Super Solid OC and the ROG Strix 4090, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 4090
- VRAM: 24GB
- Memory: GDDR6X
- Boost clock: 2520MHz
Pros
- 24GB of VRAM, room for large local AI models as well as games
- 16,384 CUDA cores and up to 1,008GB/s of memory bandwidth
- Reference 2520MHz boost clock
Cons
- Costs more than the Gigabyte 4070 Ti Super Windforce MAX at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 4090 OC Edition on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
ASUS's ROG Strix 4090 uses a vapor chamber with a milled heatspreader and enlarged Axial-tech fans.
Best for
- Buyers who want vapor chamber with a milled heatspreader.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Gigabyte 4070 Ti Super Windforce MAX, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It is the most premium of the RTX 4090 listings here, and it was also the priciest at the time of writing. On video memory it ties with the PNY 4090 Verto at 24GB. It shares an RTX 4090 gpu with the PNY 4090 Verto; the Gigabyte 4070 Ti Super Windforce MAX goes with an RTX 4070 Ti Super gpu.
No dimensions are published for the ROG Strix 4090; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the ROG Strix 4090 with the maker. When we checked, only the PNY 4090 Verto and cheaper picks cost less, and the ASUS TUF RTX 5090 cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 4090
- VRAM: 24GB
- Memory: GDDR6X
Pros
- 24GB of VRAM, room for large local AI models as well as games
- Vapor chamber with a milled heatspreader
- Axial-tech fans scaled up for more airflow
Cons
- Costs more than the Gigabyte 4070 Ti Super Windforce MAX at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here4 of 5
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Super WINDFORCE MAX OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Gigabyte's Windforce MAX OC is a triple-fan RTX 4070 Ti Super without lighting extras, and it was the least expensive 4070 Ti Super here at the time of writing.
Best for
- Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when video memory of 16GB, behind the ASUS TUF RTX 5090 (32GB is a problem.
Why we like it
It supports DLSS 3 with fourth-generation Tensor cores, and a metal backplate protects the board. On video memory it ties with the Zotac 4070 Ti Super Solid OC at 16GB. It shares an RTX 4070 Ti Super gpu with the Zotac 4070 Ti Super Solid OC; the ROG Strix 4090 goes with an RTX 4090 gpu.
You also get an optimized heatsink design. No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte 4070 Ti Super Windforce MAX; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the Gigabyte 4070 Ti Super Windforce MAX with the maker.
It cost the least of the 5 picks at the time of writing, with the Zotac 4070 Ti Super Solid OC the next step up. What it gives up: video memory of 16GB, behind the ASUS TUF RTX 5090 (32GB); by contrast, the ASUS TUF RTX 5090 offers 32GB.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 4070 Ti Super
- VRAM: 16GB
- Memory: GDDR6X
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- WINDFORCE triple-fan cooler
- Optimized heatsink design
- The lowest price among these graphics cards at the time of writing
Cons
- Video memory of 16GB, behind the ASUS TUF RTX 5090 (32GB)
Worth a Look5 of 5
ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Super Solid OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Zotac's Solid OC runs the RTX 4070 Ti Super at 2640MHz with three 100mm fans that stop at light load.
Best for
- Buyers who want three 100mm fans with FREEZE fan stop.
Skip if
- Skip it if video memory matters most to you; the ASUS TUF RTX 5090 offers 32GB.
Why we like it
A GPU support stand comes in the box. It matches the Gigabyte 4070 Ti Super Windforce MAX on video memory (16GB). Like the Gigabyte 4070 Ti Super Windforce MAX, it has an RTX 4070 Ti Super gpu, while the ROG Strix 4090 uses an RTX 4090 gpu.
No dimensions are published for the Zotac 4070 Ti Super Solid OC; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the Zotac 4070 Ti Super Solid OC with the maker. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper Gigabyte 4070 Ti Super Windforce MAX and the pricier PNY 4090 Verto, at the time of writing. The trade-off is video memory; for more, the ASUS TUF RTX 5090 offers 32GB.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 4070 Ti Super
- VRAM: 16GB
- Memory: GDDR6X
- Boost clock: 2640MHz
- Outputs: 3 x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1 x HDMI 2.1a
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- Three 100mm fans with FREEZE fan stop
- Bundled GPU support stand
Cons
- Video memory trails the ASUS TUF RTX 5090 (32GB)
- Costs more than the Gigabyte 4070 Ti Super Windforce MAX at the time of writing
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Cooling and extras
- We checked cooler design, fan-stop modes, dual BIOS, support brackets and display outputs.
- GPU and memory
- We compared the chip, video memory capacity and memory type stated in each listing.
- Power
- We noted the power connector and recommended power supply where listed.
- Price tier
- We grouped picks by price at the time of writing rather than by listed clock speed.
What to Look for in a GPUs for Machine Learning
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Match the card to your monitor
Resolution and refresh rate decide how much GPU you need. A 1080p screen at 144Hz asks far less than 1440p at 165Hz or 4K.
Buy for the monitor you use now or will buy soon, not for a resolution you may never run.
Check length and thickness
Partner cards of the same GPU can differ by several centimetres. Compare the card's length with the case's GPU clearance, allowing for front fans or a radiator, and check how many slots it covers.
Pair it with a balanced CPU
A fast card with an old CPU can stall at high frame rates, especially at 1080p. At 4K the GPU does most of the work, so the CPU matters less.
Plan the power connector and PSU
Cards use one or two 8-pin PCIe plugs or a single 16-pin 12V-2x6 plug. Confirm your power supply has the right cables and meets the maker's recommended wattage.
Treat 8GB of VRAM as the floor
Some recent games already push past 8GB at high texture settings. Cards with 12GB or 16GB give more room, especially at 1440p and above.
Two versions of the same chip can differ only in memory; check the capacity in the exact model name.
Compare upscaling and encoders
NVIDIA cards support DLSS, AMD cards FSR and Intel cards XeSS. Each game supports a different mix, so check the titles you play.
Streamers should also compare hardware video encoders.
How to Choose a GPUs for Machine Learning
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put video memory first | ASUS TUF RTX 5090 | The largest video memory here (32GB) |
| Buyers who want 16,384 CUDA cores and up to 1,008GB/s of memory bandwidth | PNY 4090 Verto | 16,384 CUDA cores and up to 1,008GB/s of memory bandwidth |
| Buyers who want vapor chamber with a milled heatspreader | ROG Strix 4090 | A vapor chamber with a milled heatspreader |
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build | Gigabyte 4070 Ti Super Windforce MAX | The lowest price among these graphics cards at the time of writing |
| Buyers who want three 100mm fans with FREEZE fan stop | Zotac 4070 Ti Super Solid OC | Three 100mm fans with FREEZE fan stop |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory | Boost clock |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASUS TUF RTX 5090 | RTX 5090 | 32GB | GDDR7 | Not listed |
| PNY 4090 Verto | RTX 4090 | 24GB | GDDR6X | 2520MHz |
| ROG Strix 4090 | RTX 4090 | 24GB | GDDR6X | Not listed |
| Gigabyte 4070 Ti Super Windforce MAX | RTX 4070 Ti Super | 16GB | GDDR6X | Not listed |
| Zotac 4070 Ti Super Solid OC | RTX 4070 Ti Super | 16GB | GDDR6X | 2640MHz |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
Prices change often; these tiers reflect Amazon prices when this guide was updated.
| Price tier | Cards |
|---|---|
| About $500 to $1000 | Gigabyte 4070 Ti Super Windforce MAX, Zotac 4070 Ti Super Solid OC |
| Over $1500 | PNY 4090 Verto, ROG Strix 4090, ASUS TUF RTX 5090 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which of these graphics cards has the largest video memory?
The ASUS TUF RTX 5090 leads at 32GB, ahead of the PNY 4090 Verto at 24GB; the Zotac 4070 Ti Super Solid OC sits at the other end with 16GB.
What is the least I can spend on one of these graphics cards?
The Gigabyte 4070 Ti Super Windforce MAX. It undercut the Zotac 4070 Ti Super Solid OC when we checked, while the ASUS TUF RTX 5090 cost the most of the group.
Is an 8GB graphics card still enough?
For 1080p with tuned texture settings, often yes. For 1440p or high textures in new games, 12GB or 16GB is safer.
Do partner cards of the same GPU perform differently?
Only slightly. Factory overclocks add a few percent at most; cooling, noise, size and price differ more.
Will a PCIe 5.0 card work in a PCIe 4.0 or 3.0 slot?
Yes, the interface is backward compatible. Cards with a narrow x8 link can lose some performance on PCIe 3.0 boards.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the ASUS TUF RTX 5090, chosen for the largest video memory here (32GB). Look at the PNY 4090 Verto for 16,384 CUDA cores and up to 1,008GB/s of memory bandwidth, the ROG Strix 4090 for a vapor chamber with a milled heatspreader and the Gigabyte 4070 Ti Super Windforce MAX for the lowest price among these graphics cards at the time of writing if those matter more to you.
Check your framework's CUDA version support before buying an older card.