Best RTX 4080 GPU: our top 4080 models

The next addition to the Ada architecture lineup: we look at the best RTX 4080 graphics card models in 2024 and discuss at what makes them tick.

Table of Contents Table of Contents

Roll-up roll-up for the best RTX 4080 GPU models on the market! With the success of the RTX 4090, it’s time for its lower-powered sibling of the RTX 4000 series. The new card was announced with two models: the 16GB and 12GB models. However, the lower 12GB card got unlaunched (if that’s a word) after criticism of being a different card altogether, and was re-launched as the RTX 4070 Ti; as a result, all the models you see below are 16GB VRAM graphics cards.

We’re committed to ensuring our buying guides are consistently updated with the latest products, guaranteeing that our recommendations reflect the best options currently available. Below, we’ve highlighted our top three picks for those who are pressed for time and seeking a swift purchase. If you want a more in-depth read, take a look at our individual reviews below, plus have a read of the “things to consider” section further below. For those considering alternative cards, our guides on the best RTX 3080 Ti, RTX 4070 Ti, and RTX 4090 are also worth looking at. Lastly, don’t miss out on our best Black Friday GPU deals for the best savings you’ll see all year.

With the new generation of cards, you get a new power specification: even the best RTX 4080 is utilizing the 12VHPWR power connector. So you then have the option of an Octopus power adapter for a normal power supply. Or opt in for a new ATX 3 PSU. So if you’re uncertain you can check our best PSU for the RTX 4080 picks so you have the best selection for your gaming PC.

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Best RTX 4080 graphics card 2024: reviews

Best overall pick, if you don’t mind a larger card

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Best RTX 4080

Best overall RTX 4080

ASUS ROG STRIX RTX 4080 GAMING OC

Core Clock Speed

2,535 MHz boost, 2,205 MHz base

CUDA Cores

9,728

Memory Size

16GB GDDR6X

Dimensions

357.6 x 149.3 x 70.1mm

PSU Required

750 W

TBP

320 W

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Pros

• Unhindered performance with a great cooling solution
• Cutout cooler design allows unblocked airflow for optimal cooling
• Overclocked card offers the best performance at this tier

Cons

• One of the biggest cards to accomodate the cooling solution may not fit many cases
• A popular card it is harder to find and usually more expensive than the other options

Another great selection, the ROG Strix is the best of its kind. As it offers one of the leading performance metrics of the selection. With such a massive shroud that it seems to bring over from the ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 4090. But it is a great solution to get the most out of your card. With a milled heat spreader, the vapor chamber can move away plenty of the GPU heat. Getting it away saves your card from throttling and lasts longer with a better lifespan.

This also means it can be overclocked even further, as the OC model offers improvements and leaves it unlocked for you for more. Although all that cooling does stack up in terms of size and weight, something to consider when trying to fit the card into any case.

However, the weight is there as support as well. The shroud, frame, and backplate are diecast. This means there should be minimal bending across the card, leaving it in a newer condition The design is also updated from the previous generation. With a minimal RGB addition but also more open for airflow to move that heat away from the GPU.

A close runner up

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Runner up

Second best RTX 4080

MSI RTX 4080 SUPRIM X

Core Clock Speed

2,205 MHz base

CUDA Cores

9,728

Memory Size

16GB GDDR6X

Dimensions

336 x 142 x 78 mm

PSU Required

850 W

TBP

320 W

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Pros

• Excellent cooling solution to keep temperatures down
• Overclo cked option allows for top tier performance

Cons

• A more premium choice of card that will cost more than the rest of the selection

Another top-place spot is for the MSI GeForce RTX 4080 Suprim X. This card is focused on the quality and build materials of MSI’s lineup. Asking for a premium for the top-spec choice of GPU. It brings with it a high-quality build with a brushed metal finish and a lot of straight edges that are finished to a higher quality. And the cooling has also been improved from the last generation. With upgraded fans and airflow to give the best air-cooling of its pack.

The MSI Suprim X also features a vapor chamber, moving the heat from the GPU die and VRAM to keep it under wraps. This is helped by the use of the core (heat pipes) which are also flat to the plate to seamlessly fit onto the card. It also improves the pipe pathing to fit more into the space and move the heat away. As well as including V-shaped cutouts at the end of the heatsink for another area for the air to leave and improve efficiency and airflow. With a solid metal backplate, it also aims to withstand any bending on the long card to help improve its lifespan. Which it also does with the higher-end materials and components it uses.

The best ‘cheap’ RTX 4080

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Best budget

Best budget RTX 4080

PNY XLR8 RTX 4080 VERTO EPIC-X

Core Clock Speed

2,505 MHz boost, 2,205 MHz base

CUDA Cores

9,728

Memory Size

16GB GDDR6X

Dimensions

331.7 x 136.9 x 71.1 mm

PSU Required

700 W

TBP

320 W

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Pros

• A basic card that offers the budget option for the GPU
• Still well designed with airflow in mind so shouldn’t hinder perfromance

Cons

• Lower quality build focused on budget

Lastly, we get the PNY XLR8 Verto Epic-X RTX 4080. A bit of a mouthful and not too memorable name, but it is there to get the job done. As it will come in close to the MSRP of the 4080 as many custom cards will struggle to do with the margins available. It is also a chonker of a graphics card, with plenty of space for the cooling in it to tame the GPU and keep the temps down. A simpler design is quite open to allow all the airflow out. With the backplate sealing it off, it also is likely providing structural rigidity as it covers the majority of the width and is screwed into multiple locations to hold it into place.

Also following suit with the rigidity needed to keep all the weight up from bending, there is a metal backplate to keep the card rigid. Whilst also having a cutout towards the end of the card, to let the air flow out. As well most of the width is unobstructed to achieve the same thing. Whilst the front plate with the fans features a dash of RGB, trying to be unintrusive to the design.

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Why you should buy an RTX 4080 over the 3090 Ti

The RTX 4080 offers a leap in performance over the RTX 3090 Ti, along with advancements such as DLSS 3.0. The two cards cost a similar amount at the time of writing this and while the 3090 Ti is still considered an amazing GPU, you should aim for an RTX 4080 instead. In an ideal world where we all have loads of money, the RTX 4090 is the pinnacle of graphics.

How do we choose the best RTX 4080?

Now when a new graphics card comes out there are a lot of custom AIBs to choose from, if you’re not opting for the Founder’s Edition. So there are a few differences that distinguish them from each other that will affect their performance and if they are worthy. So picking out which of these is better takes some knowledge. And that’s what we provide, with expertise in the field and hands-on experience with some products we know what to look for.

One key difference is the cooling solution of the cards. Since there is not a lot of change allowed between cards apart from design and frequency. So the TBP is a big focus of this generation with the RTX 4090 size we’ve seen, we expect something similar for the 4080. Having been through many launches and knowing the products we can use that. As well as using reviews we can apply them to the new stuff to know how they perform.

How we test

With so many options available it’s not always possible to get hands-on with each one. But when we do we get to test out their claims and performance. Putting them through good testing and trials. While hands-on you can also get a feel and assess the GPU. Being able to see how the physical card is built and finished.

So we can see how big it is in terms of fitting into builds. The heft behind it with the growing cooling solutions. As well as what the quality is like and if the card will bend or feel cheap for how much you’re paying for it. You can read the full extent of our method in our how we test GPUs guide.

Best RTX 4080 buying tips

So what is it you want to look for when comparing the different models? There are a few features to consider between them that might help you make up your mind.

Cooling system

A major factor between the models will be the design of the cards. This will include the cooling solution implemented by the company. So it can be tested to see how it performs against the standard. Making sure it does what it is meant to do. As keeping the card cool will mean keeping up the performance level. Overheating will cause the card to throttle down to keep itself alive. So it is important that the cooling keeps up with the heat produced.

The RTX 4080 has a TBP (total board power) of 320 W. That means the card consumes that much energy which ends up converted to heat due to inefficiencies. Usually, on GPUs, there are options for air or water cooling. And seeing the card is a lower rating and not higher than the last gen, there isn’t a need for liquid usually. So it might be uncommon to pick from. But there is usually a water block to add into your loop or all-in-one to help with the size of the card.

Dimensions

Another big factor is how big the card is. As the TBP grows so does the cooling which in turn makes it bigger which can get in the way of a lot of options. As it can be harder to fit them into some cases. The Founder’s Edition card itself is only dual-slot. Measuring 336 mm long, 140 mm wide, and 61mm height. But the custom options might not be the same size. And in fact, tend to be much bigger so it’s a consideration.

Especially as some of these options are still using the same big size as the 4090. Likely reusing the same stuff to save money. So you will have triple and quad slot cards to pick from. These will be affected by compact spaces so space is an important factor.

Price

One other big decider is the price of the graphics card. Although there is an MSRP provided by Nvidia, some AIBs will ask for more depending on what features they also add. So they may not in fact all come in at the same price. It’ll only be the FE model that will come in at $1,199/£1,269. With the other ones charging more. One factor of which is if it is overclocked. This would give it more performance than the other options and so another feature to consider but usually comes at an extra cost.

Connectivity

Another variance you might find between different card models is the video outputs on offer. These days you’re unlikely to find much more than HDMI or DisplayPort, USB-C is uncommon, particularly on Nvidia cards. But the number of these may vary, especially as DP is the more common connector for its bandwidth capabilities. As such if you’re still running that old second monitor with VGA and DVI, you’ll need at least an adapter.

RTX 4080 Specifications

Now when looking at graphics cards. These are what make the card what they are. Differentiating them from others with what they have to offer.

Clock rate

Also known as the frequency, it is how fast the processor works. It is how quickly those instructions get processed and get the scenes up to your display. So when comparing some of the options this is one of the specifications that will be differing with different models. Therefore comparing the same GPU is an important choice to pick from. Whilst between different tiers of GPU it’s less of a factor. As those have bigger factors that affect the performance between them. Especially when based on different architectures and varying boost clock speeds that can improve the framerate.

VRAM

This won’t change between AIBs of the same GPU model. However, it is a factor between other models. As it allows the pixel store and frame buffer in the video memory. Which is ideal for use with high resolutions. Since they run higher pixel counts and so you want higher counts and faster bandwidth to improve their performance. So if you are interested in the high fidelity displays then you want something strong and powerful to run on it.

TBP

The total board power gives you an idea of the power usage and heat of the card. So if you’re more interested in saving a buck running the card then you want a lower pick. This new generation has offered the manufacturer’s choice of unlocking the power if they want to. Meaning even between models that can be higher as well.

Cores

These things don’t change between models, but they offer a look into what the card has to offer. With 9,728 CUDA cores, 304 TMUs, 112 ROps, 76 SMs, 76 RT, and 304 Tensor cores. These are what give the card its power and the general use it has. Especially when it comes to ray tracing and its big capabilities of it. Along with DLSS 3 and frame generation available on the Ada Lovelace architecture.

Final word

In conclusion, though there’s no doubt that the best RTX 4080 graphics cards are big-hitters, there are a few good options out there to pick from for your gaming rig: it can come down to your preference of design with the base performance being similar though across the board. You may want to consider a few alternatives to the 4080, as the other RDNA 3 options are very competitive in this performance and price level and the AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX or XT, which is the best offering up for AMD.

Other GPU guides

• Best graphics cards
• Best budget graphics card
• Best Nvidia graphics card

Best 4080 GPU FAQs

Which RTX 4080 should I buy?

When it comes to picking out the best RTX 4080 there are a few options to go for. So when it comes to performance you have the choice of the ROG Strix or MSI Suprim. Whilst for the budget you may opt for the PNY XLR8.

What is an AIB?

AIB stands for add-in board and generally relates to partners of the GPU manufacturers such as AMD or Nvidia. They produce custom solutions for the graphics cards that aren’t Founder’s Edition or ones by the company itself. It offers a lot more variety in the market.

Is the 4080 good?

The card itself is a very powerful card and improves on the previous generation as expected. It can easily run any game at multiple resolutions at high framerates. So it is a good graphics card, but where it falls down is the cost. And that can be seen with its stock, as many models are still up on the shelves compared to its bigger sibling the 4090. So in that terms it’s not a good value for money.

Should you buy the RTX 4080?

With the launch of the card, there has been a lot of criticism of its launch. As it has come at a high cost without the promised flat-out performance. So it is best to look to alternatives, as even AMD or the older generation has better offerings.