Comparison

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Performance Comparison: Rival Models & Upgrade Paths

How does the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 hold up for playing Cities: Skylines II in 2026? We've compared its performance against similar tier GPUs to identify the most cost-effective upgrade paths.

Equivalent Performance GPUs

Compare the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 against its closest performance rivals at equivalent settings.

Generational Performance Gap

Track the generational leap of the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 within its class, visualized in FPS.

GeForce RTX 3090
Previous Gen
TARGET GPU
GeForce RTX 4090
Selected GPU
GeForce RTX 5090
Next Gen

High-Tier GPU Upgrades

Identify the best upgrade paths from the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 for 4K or high-refresh gaming.

TARGET GPU
GeForce RTX 4090
Selected GPU
GeForce RTX 5090
1-Tier Step-up
Display Pairing

Cities: Skylines II x NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090: Optimal Display Pairing

Finding the sweet spot for Cities: Skylines II on the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090: avoid over-spec or power shortages. We've identified the ideal resolution to maximize your hardware's potential.

Sweet Spot Environment

The optimal configuration that most efficiently translates hardware performance into visual quality.

Sweet Spot
1080p
Medium Settings
Performance
AVE. 76 FPS

The optimal resolution where your GPU performance is maximized. Perfect balance of density and response.

Standard (Borderline)
1440p
Low Settings
Performance
AVE. 59 FPS

Performance is near 60 FPS, but maintaining stability is difficult even at low settings. Consider lowering the resolution for a smoother experience.

Power Shortage
4K(2160p)
Low Settings
Performance
AVE. 29 FPS

Hardware processing power is below the required threshold to maintain a playable experience. A system-wide upgrade is recommended.

Optimal Monitor Size Guide for NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090

Visual clarity scales differently depending on physical screen size. Use this matrix to check if your current or planned monitor pairs perfectly with this GPU.

Grade Color Index:
S (Flawless)
A (Sharp / Great)
B (Standard)
C (Rough / Blurry)
F (Low Fidelity)
- (NG / Unsupported)
Resolution ClassFPS Target21"24"27"32"34"42"
1080p
FPS LIMIT
144
FPS LIMIT
60
A
S
C
B
C
B
C
C
C
C
F
F
FPS LIMIT
30
A
S
S
S
C
B
A
A
C
B
A
A
C
C
F
F
C
C
F
F
F
F
F
F
1440p
FPS LIMIT
144
FPS LIMIT
60
FPS LIMIT
30
A
S
S
B
B
A
B
B
A
C
C
B
C
C
B
F
F
F
4K(2160p)
FPS LIMIT
144
FPS LIMIT
60
FPS LIMIT
30
FAQ

FAQ: Cities: Skylines II x NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090

What is the optimal setting for playing Cities: Skylines II with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090?

We recommend "1080p / Ultimate / FG: ON" for comfort. By leveraging AI enhancements, you can maintain high visual quality while ensuring smooth gameplay.

Can NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 run Cities: Skylines II on Ultra settings?

Ultra settings average 41 FPS. We recommend mid settings to achieve 60FPS (76 FPS).

Can I play Cities: Skylines II at 4K resolution with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090?

4K is not recommended for this setup. The game averages only 22 FPS at 4K even on Standard settings. We suggest playing at 1440p or 1080p for a better experience.

Can I use Frame Generation (DLSS 3 / FSR 3) in Cities: Skylines II with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090?

Yes, it is supported. Yes, it is supported via null. This configuration leverages your NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090's features for extremely smooth gameplay.

Playable

Featured Games for NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090

The potential of the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 extends far beyond a single title. We’ve analyzed other popular games that run comfortably (Grade S-B) on this hardware.

Comfort Grade: B