Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
ASUS announced two more compact GeForce RTX 4090 designs on May 10, 2023: the ROG Strix LC GeForce RTX 4090, with a 2.6-slot liquid-cooled card, and the air-cooled TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 4090 OG. Neither uses a new GPU; both are board-partner versions of NVIDIA’s existing RTX 4090.
The important catch is that “smaller” describes the graphics-card body, not always the complete installation. The Strix LC is much shorter and thinner, but needs space for a 240-mm-class radiator. The TUF OG avoids a radiator but remains a substantial 3.2-slot card.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
ASUS TUF Gaming NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 OC Edition Gaming Graphics Card (24GB GDDR6X, PCIe 4.0, HDMI... | $4,039.95 | Buy on Amazon |
The two smaller RTX 4090 designs at a glance
| Model | Cooling | Card dimensions | Slot width | Additional hardware |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROG Strix LC GeForce RTX 4090 | AIO liquid cooling with blower for power components | 293 × 133 × 52 mm | 2.6 slots | 272 × 121 × 54 mm radiator; approximately 540 mm tubing |
| TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 4090 OG | Triple-fan air cooling | 325.9 × 140.2 × 62.8 mm | 3.2 slots | No radiator |
For comparison, ASUS lists its original TUF RTX 4090 at 3.65 slots. That makes the OG meaningfully smaller, but not a genuinely two-slot or universally small-form-factor graphics card.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
The specifications and announcement details come from ASUS’s announcement, the ROG Strix LC specifications, ASUS’s TUF RTX 4090 OG product page, and a distributor specification sheet for the OG’s dimensions.
#1 Best Overall
- NVIDIA Ada Lovelace Streaming Multiprocessors: Up to 2x performance and energy efficiency
- Tensor Cores of the 4th Generation: up to 2x AI performance
- RT-cores of the 3rd Generation: up to 2x raytracing performance
- OC mode: Boost clock 2595 MHz (OC mode) / 2565 MHz (gaming mode)
- Axial Tech fans deliver up to 23% higher airflow
ROG Strix LC: the shorter card, with a radiator trade-off
The ROG Strix LC RTX 4090 measures 293 mm long, 133 mm high, and 52 mm thick. At 2.6 slots, it occupies substantially less space beside the motherboard than many conventional RTX 4090 cards.
ASUS moves the primary GPU and memory cooling hardware into a liquid loop. The card uses a full-coverage cold plate for the GPU die and memory, while a blower-style fan handles the power-delivery components. The loop connects to a radiator listed at 272 × 121 × 54 mm, with approximately 540 mm of tubing.
That makes the card easier to accommodate in one dimension, but it does not remove the cooling hardware. A compatible case still needs a 240-mm radiator position, room for the radiator’s actual thickness, a practical tubing route, and clearance for the pump and fittings. A nominal 240-mm mount is not automatically enough if the radiator, fans, mounting hardware, and nearby components compete for the same space.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallOutdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchThe LC model is therefore most useful when GPU length or slot thickness is the main obstacle and the case already supports a suitable radiator. In a compact build, the radiator can instead conflict with the CPU cooler, front intake fans, memory, motherboard edge, power supply, or drive cage.
TUF Gaming RTX 4090 OG: smaller air cooling, still a large GPU
The TUF Gaming RTX 4090 OG measures 325.9 × 140.2 × 62.8 mm and uses a 3.2-slot triple-fan cooler. It is shorter and slimmer than ASUS’s original 3.65-slot TUF RTX 4090, while retaining a conventional air-cooled installation.
“OG” does not mean that this is the original RTX 4090 or a lower-tier GPU. In this product family, it identifies the redesigned TUF version with the smaller cooler. The card avoids the radiator and pump considerations of the Strix LC, but its 62.8-mm thickness can still block neighboring expansion slots and create side-panel clearance problems.
At approximately 1.7 kg according to the available distributor specification, it also deserves a support bracket or other means of preventing long-term sag, depending on the case and mounting arrangement.
Both cards remain RTX 4090-class products
The smaller designs do not change the underlying GPU tier. The LC models retain 16,384 CUDA cores, 24GB of GDDR6X memory, a 384-bit memory interface, 21Gbps memory, PCIe 4.0, and support for up to four displays.
Clock speeds depend on the exact SKU. ASUS lists the non-OC ROG Strix LC model at a 2,550MHz boost clock and the OC version at up to 2,640MHz in OC mode. Do not assume that every LC or TUF OG listing has the same BIOS, clock, or power-limit configuration.
ASUS presents the liquid design as a way to provide thermal headroom and support sustained boost behavior. Those are design goals and manufacturer claims, not proof that the LC card is faster, quieter, or cooler than every air-cooled RTX 4090. Independent testing would be needed for those comparisons.
Power and cable clearance still matter
The ROG Strix LC specification lists an 850W recommended power supply and one 16-pin connector. The shorter PCB does not make the RTX 4090 a low-power graphics card.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsBuilders should use a quality PSU appropriate for the complete system, follow the exact card and PSU cable instructions, and leave enough room to route the 16-pin cable without sharply bending it immediately at the connector. Side-panel clearance matters just as much as the card’s published width.
Do not assume that a replacement cable is compatible merely because it uses the same connector shape. Any native 16-pin or replacement cable should be approved for the specific PSU model.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Case-fit checklist
Before buying either card, check the case specifications and measure the installed layout rather than comparing only the bare GPU length.
- Maximum GPU length: Check the clearance with front fans, a front radiator, drive cages, and other obstructions installed.
- GPU thickness: Confirm the number of usable slots, not just the nominal slot count. A 3.2-slot card may block access to three or four practical slots depending on the chassis.
- Side-panel clearance: Include the 16-pin connector and its cable bend space.
- Radiator support: For the Strix LC, verify support for a 240-mm radiator and its complete 272 × 121 × 54 mm published dimensions.
- Radiator-plus-fan thickness: Check the total assembly, including fans and mounting hardware.
- Tubing route: Ensure the approximately 540-mm tubes can reach the radiator without kinks or excessive strain.
- Component conflicts: Check for interference with the CPU cooler, memory, motherboard heatsinks, power supply, and storage cages.
- Power supply: Plan for an 850W-class recommendation for the LC model and account for the rest of the system’s power demand.
For the liquid-cooled card, follow the case manufacturer’s guidance for radiator and pump placement. There is no single universal orientation that is correct for every chassis and installation.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Which model makes more sense?
- Choose the ROG Strix LC when card length and slot thickness are the main constraints, the case has a suitable 240-mm radiator mount, and an integrated liquid loop is acceptable.
- Choose the TUF OG when the case cannot accommodate a radiator, a conventional air-cooled installation is preferred, and 325.9 mm of length plus 3.2 slots will fit.
- Look elsewhere when the case supports neither a 240-mm radiator nor a 3.2-slot graphics card, or when a genuinely two-slot GPU is required.
Neither card should be described as guaranteed to fit an SFF system. The Strix LC is the shortest of the two at 293 mm, but its radiator may become the limiting component. The TUF OG is radiator-free, but its thickness remains challenging for compact cases.
Price, launch timing, and availability
ASUS announced both cards on May 10, 2023. The announcement did not provide a clearly stated US MSRP or a firm universal retail release date. ASUS product pages document specifications, but a product page is not proof that a particular regional SKU is currently in stock.
As of 2026, buyers should treat these as older RTX 4090 variants rather than assume they are readily available new products. Verify the exact SKU, region, warranty, inventory status, and—especially for the Strix LC—the age and condition of the liquid-cooling system. A used or refurbished listing may carry different risks from a new retail unit.
The Strix LC should also not be confused with the separate ROG Matrix RTX 4090 announcement, which ASUS introduced later on May 30, 2023.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
