The GeForce RTX 3080 from nVidia is a true gaming monster. The leap in performance over a previous generation has never been so great. In a direct performance comparison to an RTX 2080 Ti, the average increase is almost 30%, to an RTX 2080 Super it is even up to 50%.
In our graphics card ranking you can see exactly how the GeForce RTX 3080 performs. The RTX 3080 is therefore ideally suited for all games in WQHD resolution with full details. But the RTX 3080 is also ideal for 4K gaming, especially since it is also significantly faster than the previous flagship, the RTX 2080 Ti.
In terms of price, the new GeForce RTX 3080 is also well below the four-digit purchase price of its predecessor – you should be able to order such a gaming projectile for around 800 euros. The Founders Editions directly from nVidia, FE for short, made the start.
If you want a different cooling solution and/or a factory-overclocked RTX 3080, you have to use one of the numerous custom models.
The HardwareSchotte editorial team has selected the best recommendations for you from all RTX 3080 models.
The best high-end graphics cards from nVidia
- ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 3080 V2 OC 10GB
- GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce RTX 3080 MASTER 12G
- ASUS TUF GAMING GeForce RTX 3080 V2 OC 10GB LHR
- MSI GeForce RTX 3080 VENTUS 3X PLUS 10G OC LHR
- Palit GeForce RTX 3080 Gaming Pro
- Lenovo GeForce RTX 3080 10GB GDDR6X
Which power supply do I need for an RTX 3080?
The new RTX 3080 consumes more power compared to the RTX 2080 Ti. A high-quality power supply with at least 650W, better than 700W due to the high peak loads, is therefore mandatory to be on the safe side. For OC models and if the CPU is to be overclocked at the same time, a power supply with at least 750W is recommended.
By the way: The 12-pin connector presented by nVidia in advance will only be used in the Founders Edition. All custom models from the various nVidia board partners continue to use 6-pin and 8-pin PCIe power connectors or multiple 8-pin connectors.
You can find suitable power supplies in our power supply buying guide.
Where can I get a 12-pin power connector?
The 12-pin PCIe power adapter ships with all Nvidia Founders Editions. However, suitable adapters are also offered by various power supply manufacturers. Anyone who buys a custom model of the RTX 3080 does not need such a 12-pin adapter, as they continue to use the normal 6- and 8-pin connectors.
How does an Nvidia Geforce RTX 3080 compare to an RTX 2080 Super/Ti?
Nvidia hasn’t promised too much: The new RTX 3080 beats its predecessors RTX 2080 Ti and RTX 2080 Super by far. Depending on the application or game and resolution, it calculates up to 30% faster than an RTX 2080 Ti or up to 50% faster than an RTX 2080 Super – and at a purchase price for which you could recently get an RTX 2080 Super.
How long is an nVidia RTX 3080?
The new RTX 3080 graphics cards are at least 27 centimeters long. Some models are even up to 32 cm long. So before you buy, check whether the existing case also offers this space for graphics cards. In addition, the weight is up to two kilograms. When transporting a PC, it is better to remove the card.
What does the abbreviation LHR mean?
LHR stands for Lite Hashrate. RTX 3080 graphics cards with this additional designation are not suitable for mining. In terms of gaming performance, however, these models are on par with the normal RTX 3080 cards.
Nvidia RTX 3080 or AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT – which graphics card is better?
Here, the competition from AMD just makes the race. The AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT is about three percent faster in games on average. However, the tide turns when you activate ray tracing. This is still much easier to use with an Nvidia card and the RTX 3080 is ahead here.
Nvidia Geforce RTX 3080 vs. RTX 3080 Ti – is it worth the surcharge?
As you can see from our graphics card ranking, the RTX 3080 Ti is almost five to seven percent faster than the RTX 3080 – but it also costs at least 200 euros more. If the extra performance is worth it, you will surely be happy with an RTX 3080 Ti. Otherwise, you can also confidently go for the cheaper RTX 3080.
Don’t have the right nVidia RTX 3080 graphics card?
How does a GeForce RTX 3080 fare against an RTX 4070 Ti?
The newer GeForce RTX 4070 Ti wins the race here. This applies to both performance and efficiency.
