NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 “Modded” Version with 48 GB VRAM Tested: High Noise Levels and Disappointing Gaming Performance Revealed

NVIDIA’s recently modified GeForce RTX 4090, now sporting an impressive 48 GB of VRAM, has undergone benchmarking, and the findings suggest that this GPU variant is specifically tailored for artificial intelligence (AI) workloads rather than gaming applications.

Why the Modded NVIDIA RTX 4090 Is Primarily for AI Workloads

In response to the ongoing challenges in securing AI accelerators, modders have devised a solution that may not appeal to the gaming enthusiast community. By augmenting the VRAM capacity of the standard GeForce RTX 4090 to 48 GB, they aim to enhance its efficacy in handling AI-related tasks. A recent examination by Russian YouTuber MKA unveiled the modifications made to the GPU, showcasing its PCB configuration and performance tests across various applications.

The specific unit examined featured a blower-style cooling design and unorthodox NVIDIA branding, accompanied by a modified PCB that likely deviates from the standard blueprint. This alteration renders mounting additional GDDR6X VRAM modules somewhat problematic under the original design parameters, which typically support single-sided memory modules. Given that this modification is not manufacturer-approved, it raises concerns regarding its reliability—an issue corroborated by the YouTuber’s performance evaluations.

During performance assessments, including synthetic tests like Uniengine, the modded GeForce RTX 4090 produced noise levels soaring up to 65 dB, significantly louder than its standard 24 GB counterpart. Although it maintained temperatures in a manageable range between 70°C and 86°C, the overall user experience was unsatisfactory for gaming purposes, despite marginally improved performance compared to the original model.

Furthermore, MKA conducted tests utilizing AI models locally, including Google’s Gemma-2 with 27 billion parameters. The results indicated that the 48 GB GPU functioned seamlessly in these scenarios, solidifying its role as an asset for users managing intensive AI tasks. This modded GPU is particularly advantageous due to its ample VRAM capacity, which is essential for handling sophisticated operations with ease. Moreover, it presents a more readily available option compared to NVIDIA’s official AI accelerators.

Given the high demand for such modified GPUs, especially in the Chinese market, the 48 GB variant of the RTX 4090 is reportedly priced around $3, 400—surpassing even the cost of the upcoming GeForce RTX 5090. This clearly illustrates the market’s appreciation for high-performance options in the AI sector.