Comparing the Ti fight at the top
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With the recent Nvidia releases, you can find two new upgraded GPUs ready to take the spot of the best graphics card. We compare the RTX 3080 Ti vs 3090 Ti to see which of the upgraded cards is worth it over the other. Both provide the edge of what the Ampere architecture can finish up with.
The 3090 Ti is the more recent release available from March 29th. A year and a half after the original 3090 and a few months after it was originally announced. Whilst the 3080 Ti came just half a year after the initial release of the 3080.
One of the cheapest RTX 3080 Ti AIBs you will find
Improved cooling solution compared to the Founder’s Edition
Good build quality
The RTX 3080 Ti is a prohibitively expensive GPU
Not the quietest on offer
Less powerful than other RTX 3080 Ti AIBs
Large size vs Founder’s Edition
Excellent cooling
Potential for higher overclocking
Excellent performance
More expensive with AIO
Even though they don’t even share the same name, they share GPU dies. Comparing the 3080 Ti vs 3090 Ti they both utilize the GA102 die. Although with some variances, and whilst we have already compared the 3080 vs 3080 Ti and 3090 vs 3090 Ti we see how the Tis compare to each other.
The 3080 Ti, uses the GA102-225, and the 3090 Ti the GA102-350 GPU. Giving them slight variations in what cores they have enabled. Along with the other variations between them, it will give them different capabilities in performance.
| RTX 3080 Ti | RTX 3090 Ti | |
|---|---|---|
| GPU | GA102-225-A1 | GA102-350-A1 |
| Shaders | 10,240 | 10,752 |
| RT Cores | 80 | 84 |
| TMUs | 320 | 336 |
| Memory | 12GB GDDR6X | 24GB GDDR6X |
| Base clock | 1,365MHz | 1,560MHz |
| Boost clock | 1,665MHz | 1,860MHz |
| Memory clock | 19Gbps | 21Gbps |
| Card bus | PCIe 4.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x16 |
| Memory bandwidth | 912.4GB/s | 1,008GB/s |
| TDP | 350W | 450W |
When comparing the specifications between the two cards there are some big differences to consider. We go through all of them and explaining each of them means and does for a GPU.
The thermal design power of a graphics card is the maximum amount of energy the card can consume. This is only at maximum usage and will convert into heat that the cooling solution needs to dissipate. As if the die overheats, it will thermal throttle and start losing performance.
Between the 3080 Ti vs 3090 Ti, there is a 100W power difference. The 3080 Ti only has a 250W capacity, compared to the 450W on the 3090 Ti. So unsurprisingly with more power and capability, you’ll be needing more power and cooling.
VRAM is a frame buffer and texture store to keep your game running smoothly. It is especially useful for greater resolutions, as they use more pixels that need more storage space.
Comparing the two GPUs, they both utilize the same variety, with the GDDR6X type. But the 3090 Ti takes the lead with the capacity and clock leading to the total bandwidth. Even with the same memory bus, the 3090 reaches a throughput of 1,008 GB/s whereas the 3080 only 912.4 GB/s. Stemming from the 21 Gbps clock, compared to 19 of the slower card.
The clock speed of a GPU is how fast it can process the instructions need to create graphics. Stemming from the cycle rate of the silicon, it can determine your game’s FPS. Although not the ultimate teller of performance, it is a consideration for overclocking to get the most out of it.
Of the two Tis, the 3090 is also the one that leads in speed. With a base clock of 1,560MHz compared to 1,365MHz of the 3080. Along with the boost clock, the 3090 Ti achieves 1,860MHz as opposed to the 1,665MHz. Giving it a faster processing speed and a slight advantage.
The core of the graphics cards is made up of different specialized units. In particular, we look at shaders, RT cores, and TMUs. These are focused on the shadows and shading of scenes, real-time ray tracing, and the creation of 3D models from bitmaps.
Between the two cards, the 3090 Ti has 5% more of these cores. This doesn’t seem like a lot but along with the clock of them could lead to a better result. Since each of these can produce quicker and better results over the 3080 Ti.
We look to 3DMark’s benchmarks to see how well the two compare with each other. There we see the RTX 3080 Ti achieve a score of 19,628 with a value for money ratio of 16. Whilst the 3090 Ti gets a score of 21,929 with a ratio of 10. So outright the more expensive card is more powerful but worse for value.
In our previous comparison, the 3080 Ti was already close behind the 3090 with just a couple percent difference. So when the 3090 Ti is slightly a bit more powerful than the 3090 overall there isn’t much between them. The relative performance varies 5-12% between them, with the biggest difference at 4k. Even though even the 3080 Ti can easily achieve 60FPS at 4k.
The price is a significant difference between the RTX 3080 Ti vs 3090 Ti. With the 90 costing an absurd $1,999 at MSRP. Whilst the 3080 Ti seems more reasonable, even if still a lot, at $1,199. An increase in price by 67% with the performance not following suit.
Even though GPUs have been expensive in the past, they have been slowly falling back to MSRP. Even with the already high prices, it isn’t going above MSRP. With stock not as low with the ability to buy some, as at that price range, it may not be on people’s radars.
Very quiet thermal design
Great build quality
Respectable out-the-box boost clock
3x 8 pin power connectors mean more headroom for overclocking
Classic geometric MSI aesthetic
Generous RGB coverage
The RTX 3080 Ti is a prohibitively expensive GPU
Lies within the higher end of the 3080 Ti price spectrum
Large size vs Founder’s Edition
High quality and design
Plenty of thermal capacity
Stylistic design
More expensive OC option
Both of these cards are unlikely to be aimed at any casual gamer. It’s more for the creator types or those pushing much farther into the extreme. So when comparing the Nvidia RTX 3080 Ti vs 3090 Ti it’s hard to justify choosing the more expensive option. With the 3090 Ti costing 67% more only providing up to 12% more, so unless you require the extra VRAM it is a tougher card to justify.
However, it’s likely that the 3090 Ti is a test for the upcoming RTX 40 series of cards. Being pin-compatible with the 4090/4080 and featuring the new 16-pin connector it might be more of a test run. So out of reach for most that may not be the main goal for now.
In 3DMarks pure graphical performance benchmark, the 3090 Ti achieves a score 12% higher than the 3080 Ti. Whilst in gaming performance the 3090 Ti also leads with an average 5-12% higher framerate.
The 3090 Ti also leads in the clock rates of the card. There we see the base clock 14% higher, a boost clock 12 % higher, and even a memory clock 11% more than the 3080 Ti. Part of the reason it can achieve higher performance but costing a higher power draw.
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