Architect's technical teardown: VRAM capacity, memory bandwidth, TDP, and AI throughput — compared head-to-head for local LLM workloads.
The legendary used-market GOAT. 24GB VRAM at a fraction of the cost of 4090/5090. Still handles 70B models with ease.
High value 12GB performer. Excellent efficiency and enough VRAM for 8B models with high-context K-V cache needs.
| Metric | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Super |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM | 24GB | 12GB |
| Memory Bandwidth | 936 GB/s | 504 GB/s |
| AI Throughput (TOPS) | 285 | 568 |
| TDP (Power Draw) | 350W | 220W |
| Est. Price | $749.99 | $609.99 |