In the world of high-end gaming, the graphics card plays a crucial role in delivering smooth and immersive experiences. The NVIDIA RTX 4090 is one of the most powerful GPUs available, and enthusiasts often seek ways to optimize its performance. One popular method is custom undervolting, which can reduce power consumption and heat output while maintaining high frame rates. This article explores gaming frame rate benchmarks of the RTX 4090 with various custom undervolt settings.

Understanding Undervolting and Its Benefits

Undervolting involves reducing the voltage supplied to the GPU without compromising its core performance. This process can lead to several benefits:

  • Lower power consumption
  • Reduced heat output
  • Potentially quieter operation
  • Sustainable overclocking margins

However, improper undervolting can cause stability issues. Therefore, careful testing and incremental adjustments are essential to find the optimal settings for your specific GPU.

Benchmark Setup and Methodology

To evaluate the impact of custom undervolt settings on the RTX 4090, a series of gaming benchmarks were conducted. The test setup included:

  • GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4090
  • CPU: Intel Core i9-13900K
  • Memory: 32GB DDR5 RAM
  • Motherboard: ASUS ROG Strix Z790-E
  • Power Supply: 1000W Platinum-rated
  • Operating System: Windows 11

Benchmarks were performed using popular titles such as Cyberpunk 2077, Control, and Shadow of the Tomb Raider at 1440p resolution. Each game was tested with default GPU settings and various undervolt configurations.

Undervolt Settings Tested

The following undervolt settings were applied using MSI Afterburner:

  • Default: No undervolt
  • -50 mV
  • -100 mV
  • -150 mV
  • -200 mV

Stability was verified through extended gaming sessions and monitoring tools to ensure no crashes or visual artifacts occurred.

Benchmark Results

The following table summarizes the average frame rates achieved with each undervolt setting across the tested games.

Cyberpunk 2077





Setting
Average FPS
Notes






Default
75 FPS
Baseline performance




-50 mV
74 FPS
Minimal impact on frame rate




-100 mV
73 FPS
Stable, slight decrease




-150 mV
71 FPS
Minor performance drop, still playable




-200 mV
68 FPS
Noticeable decrease, borderline for high-end gaming

Control





Setting
Average FPS
Notes






Default
85 FPS
Baseline performance




-50 mV
84 FPS
Stable, minor gains in efficiency




-100 mV
83 FPS
Consistent performance




-150 mV
81 FPS
Stable, slight decrease




-200 mV
78 FPS
Performance drops but still playable

Shadow of the Tomb Raider





Setting
Average FPS
Notes






Default
90 FPS
Baseline performance




-50 mV
89 FPS
Stable, minimal difference




-100 mV
88 FPS
Consistent with baseline




-150 mV
86 FPS
Slight decrease, still smooth




-200 mV
83 FPS
Performance impact noticeable but playable

Analysis and Conclusions

The benchmark results demonstrate that undervolting the RTX 4090 can effectively reduce power consumption and heat output with minimal impact on gaming performance. A reduction of up to -150 mV maintains stable frame rates suitable for high-end gaming, while -200 mV begins to show more noticeable performance drops.

For gamers and enthusiasts aiming to optimize their system, undervolting offers a viable way to improve efficiency without sacrificing too much performance. However, each GPU is unique, and users should test their own settings carefully to find the best balance.

Final Recommendations

Start with small voltage reductions, such as -50 mV or -100 mV, and test stability through extended gaming sessions. Use monitoring tools to watch for crashes or artifacts. Adjust further if your system remains stable and performance remains acceptable.

Remember that undervolting may void some warranties and should be performed cautiously. Always keep your system's temperature and stability in check to ensure a safe and optimized gaming experience.