The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 is the flagship Ampere architecture consumer GPU, launched in September 2020. Marketed as the "BFGPU" (Big Ferocious GPU), it blurred the line between consumer and professional with its massive 24GB memory capacity.
The RTX 3090 uses the GA102 die with 24GB of GDDR6X memory providing 936 GB/s bandwidth. It includes 10,496 CUDA cores, 328 third-generation Tensor Cores, and 82 second-generation RT cores. TDP is 350W.
The 24GB memory capacity was unprecedented for consumer GPUs and attracted professionals and AI enthusiasts in addition to gamers. The RTX 3090 could handle 8K gaming and complex creative workloads that exceeded other consumer cards' capabilities.
Third-generation Tensor Cores introduced DLSS improvements and enabled AI-accelerated workflows. The RTX 3090 remains in use for AI inference workloads where its 24GB memory enables running larger models than 8-12GB alternatives.