Overview
NVIDIA's well-known RTX 3000 series is finally available and appears to have already surpassed expectations. It is built on their brand-new Ampere architecture.
As usual, there are various cards available from various AIB partners. We'll find out whose RTX 3080 graphics card is the best.
Despite some initial availability challenges, we're also delighted to say that the RTX 3080 is now much more widely available.
Additionally, some of the driver issues have been resolved. Currently, purchasing an RTX 3080 is likely the best decision you can make in terms of gaming. That does include purchasing a next-generation console.
After that, check out our guide on picking the best RTX 3080 graphics card for 2024.
Let's get started right away!
Top Picks
If you're in a rush, take a look at the fast selection of our favorites, or scroll down to read our whole list with in-depth reviews of the Best RTX 3080 Graphics Card in 2024. Each of the devices on this list has been chosen to reach the ideal balance between compatibility, performance, memory, speed, and interface:
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Best RTX 3080 Overall: MSI Gaming GeForce RTX 3080
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Best RTX 3080 12GB: ASUS ROG Strix NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 OC
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Best Value RTX 3080: ASUS TUF Gaming NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 OC Edition
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Best Gigabyte RTX 3080: Gigabyte GeForce RTX 3080 Gaming OC
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Best Budget RTX 3080: ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 3080 Trinity OC
What to Consider When Buying The Best RTX 3080 Graphics Card
The features of the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 GPU are already well known if you've been following the most recent news about it, especially when compared to the previous generation's flagship model.
Despite this, there are still a number of factors to take into account before buying a GPU of this quality. Because of this, we'll be looking more closely at the key factors to take into account when buying an RTX 3080 graphics card.
Performance
Understanding a new GPU's performance is crucial before making a purchase. While the majority of high-end graphics cards will satisfy the average gamer, not all can deliver top-tier resolutions and high frame rates for PC gamers.
Having a clear notion of what you want to play or render before looking for a GPU is the best method to be sure that the GPU you intend to buy is appropriate for your needs. You can then adjust your requirements to fit the GPU you intend to buy by doing this.
However, upgrading from a 3070 to a 3080 can cost you literally hundreds of dollars. Getting a GPU that meets your unique needs can be an expensive consideration.
Before purchasing a new PC, the most crucial factor to take into account if you're a gamer is GPU performance. In order to meet your needs, it is imperative to choose a game that has the performance capacity to do so. New games are now intended to place the majority of their computational demands on the GPU.
Price
When choosing your next graphics card, the cost is a big consideration, just like with all other hardware parts – perhaps even more so considering that they can cost upwards of $1,000!
The RTX 3080, however, is so inexpensive that it actually outperforms everything else in terms of value for money.
RTX 3080 graphics cards currently range in price from £650 to £900, with each delivering a distinctive thermal design and out-of-the-box clock speeds. You would struggle to find a better value for the money in the current market given the performance strength this card offers.
Cooling
The cooling system that each aftermarket GPU is fitted with is one of the key distinctions between them.
Before choosing a new graphics card, cooling is one of the most crucial elements for us to take into account, especially for larger alternatives that naturally produce more heat.
The RTX 3080 is a really large card that performs somewhat better than the 2080Ti from the previous generation. Thus, from the perspective of the consumer, one of the most crucial things to think about with an RTX 3080 is its cooling.
A GPU begins to operate less efficiently when heat builds, which might shorten the lifespan of the card. By keeping it cool, you can be confident that your GPU will operate at ideal temperatures and last the full duration of its intended life.
Size
Since GPUs have risen enormously in size over the years, Jen-Hsun Huang had to physically conceal the 3090 during the RTX 30 series live announcement stream by hiding it in his oven. Not to mention the RTX 3090 Ti's large size, which takes up at least three slots.
Having said that, when it comes to making your next GPU purchase, it is crucial to evaluate the size of your GPU.
A GPU can be measured in height, length, and the number of physical slots it occupies at the back of your case, among other dimensions. If you don't account for the size of your GPU, you can end up spending a lot of money on a new card that won't fit in your PC case.
Detail Reviews Of Top 5 Best RTX 3080 Graphics Cards
1. MSI Gaming GeForce RTX 3080
(Best RTX 3080 Overall)
Product’s Specifications
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Clock Speed: 1815MHz Boost Clock (OC)
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VRAM: 10GB GDDRX
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Thermal Design: TRI FROZR Cooling Solution
Reasons to buy
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Incredibly silent thermal design.
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Exceedingly attractive design.
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High clock boost.
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Great build quality.
Reasons to avoid
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More expensive end of the 3080 pricing range.
Product Summary
The MSI Gaming X Trio took the top spot in our ranking of the best RTX 3080, and for good reason. It has a family look that MSI has previously used on a number of older-Gen cards when it arrives at the table.
It still has all the gaming aesthetics you'd expect from a Gaming X Trio GPU, despite the cooling solution being a definite improvement over earlier iterations.
The TRI FROZR 2 thermal technology, which has historically proven incredibly effective at dispersing thermals, has been installed in this GPU by MSI. To help ensure that the PCB is heated to the proper levels, newly created TORX FAN 4.0 blades help concentrate airflow over the board.
You can feel more at ease installing the Gaming X Trio GPU into your system because MSI has given it a robust metal anti-bending strap for extra stability.
2. ASUS ROG Strix NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 OC
(Best RTX 3080 12GB)
Product’s Specifications
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Core Clock Speed: 1890MHz boost, 1860MHz Game
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CUDA Cores: 8960
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Memory Size: 12GB GDDR6X
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Dimensions: 318.5 x 140.1 x 57.78mm (2.9 Slot)
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PSU Required: 850W
Reasons to buy
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Excellent build quality.
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Classy look.
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Stronger than competing products.
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Elegant RGB.
Reasons to avoid
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Long design.
Product Summary
The ROG Strix RTX 3080 OC edition is the next model, and it has performed really well in the prior. In order to boost the performance of the card, Nvidia added 2GB extra VRAM and a few more compute units for the new upgraded iteration of the 3080. The original card receives a slight improvement from the refresh, and ROG makes the most of it.
The card maintains its coolness despite whatever loads and abuse you may subject it to thanks to an excellent cooling mechanism. Three Face technology fans on a 2.9 slot heatsink with powerful, laminar flow over a large surface area ensure no throttling.
Its design, which includes a highlighted RGB strip and a metallic-accented shroud, gives it a more distinctive appearance and allows for some customization. The ability to regulate lighting enhances integration and adds a unique element to your construction. This is one of the lengthier cards, so make sure your case is long enough.
3. ASUS TUF Gaming NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 OC Edition
(Best Value RTX 3080)
Product’s Specifications
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Clock Speed: 1815MHz Boost Clock (OC)
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VRAM: 10GB GDDRX
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Thermal Design: Axial-tech Triple Fan
Reasons to buy
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Really affordable prices.
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Incredibly effective thermal design.
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One of the quietest 3080 AIBs.
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Low sound output.
Reasons to avoid
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Not the most attractive of the 3080.
Product Summary
At this early level of testing, it would be difficult to find a 3080 that gives a better value for the money. The TUF Gaming 3080 has the minimalist design aesthetics that we've grown accustomed to from TUF over the years.
It offers very little RGB lighting and has more of an emphasis on thermal design and build quality, which, let's face it, ought to be the top priorities for all manufacturers.
The TUF Gaming has an incredibly sturdy design in terms of build quality because very little plastic was used in its construction. The fan blades are the only part of the shroud made of plastic; the rest is made of aluminum, which gives the design remarkable stiffness. The TUF Gaming offers the same'stop-start' feature as earlier models, turning the fans off when the temperature falls below 55 degrees.
4. Gigabyte GeForce RTX 3080 Gaming OC
(Best Gigabyte RTX 3080)
Product’s Specifications
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Clock Speed: 1710 MHz Boost Clock (OC)
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VRAM: 12GB GDDRX
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Thermal Design: WINDFORCE 3X Cooling System
Reasons to buy
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Enhanced build quality.
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Effective cooling technology.
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High clock boost.
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Extended anticipated lifespan.
Reasons to avoid
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On the large side.
Product Summary
The Gigabyte RTX 3080 Gaming OC is the next GPU on the list; it feels just as amazing as it looks. The Gaming OC has a well-designed appearance that would go with the majority of PC custom build setups.
Although the design is primarily black, the GPU's fan side does have gun-metal edging for some added character. The branding is highlighted by a small RGB lighting zone at the top of the card.
As with prior cards, Gigabyte has once more used their Windforce 3x cooling system, which is a very effective cooling solution. The Gaming OC, like the other cards in our review, has stop-start technology, which turns off the fans when the GPU temperature drops below 55 degrees, as well as alternating spin patterns for improved air pressure.
With a sturdy metal backplate and reinforced PCI slots for your 8-pin, Gigabyte has obviously taken build quality very seriously. Additionally, it has two BIOS options (OC/silent) that let you select the fan profile.
5. ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 3080 Trinity OC
(Best Budget RTX 3080)
Product’s Specifications
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Clock Speed: 1710MHz Boost Clock (OC)
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VRAM: 10GB GDDRX
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Thermal Design: IceStorm 2.0 Cooling Solution
Reasons to buy
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Improved airflow with a new 11-blade fan.
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An excellent heatsink.
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Fan-freeze technology.
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Excellent design.
Reasons to avoid
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Noisy sometimes.
Product Summary
The top budget option on this list, the Zotac Gaming GeForce RTX 3080, is last. The Gaming Trinity has all the typical ZOTAC GPU aesthetic appeal, including some tastefully placed RGB at the card's back, which is unusual for this particular GPU. The ZOTAC branding is illuminated in a rather spectacular way by another RGB lighting zone on the side of the card.
Because of the enormous number of aluminum fins that make up the majority of this card's heatsink, ZOTAC's offering is by far the largest we've seen.
This GPU uses a triple-fan configuration of ZOTAC's Ice Storm 2.0 fan system. Once more, this fan system incorporates stop-start functionality and a backplate that mirrors the Founder's Edition in a special fashion.
Overall, this card is really attractive, has a great cooling system, and is extremely performance-driven.
FAQs
Is 3080 overkill for gaming?
The RTX 3080 will provide superb performance if you enjoy 4K gaming and is also future-proof for next-generation gaming. However, the RTX 3070 might be a better option if you're OK with 1440p gaming and cost is a consideration.
Will the RTX 3080 suffice for 4K gaming?
DLSS and raytracing capabilities make the RTX 3080 a somewhat future-proof gaming card. With the proper settings, you can get 60 frames per second, but since 4K is significantly more demanding, you should have a power supply of at least 750 W.
In 2024, should I get the RTX 3080?
The RTX 3080 is likely still an excellent buy in 2024. This is due to the fact that purchasing it was challenging when it was brand-new and fresh, but it may be much simpler presently. It is still a potent card on its own even with the newest GPU advancements. In order to save some money, choose an effective older card.
Final Thought
So there you have it—our in-depth review of the best RTX 3080 graphics cards currently on the market.
We hope this advice has helped you in selecting the RTX 3080 that best fits your individual requirements. In the end, we don't think it matters which RTX 3080 you choose because they all provide incredible performance at a very affordable price. The RTX 2080Ti's improvement over last year's flagship was truly worth the wait.