Is the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 the Ultimate GPU for Gamers? Find Out Now!

The NVIDIA RTX 5080 Founders Edition, as marketed, appears to be a streamlined, elegant, and potent graphics card. However, one might wonder about the modifications made to this revamped model – what significant updates have been incorporated into it?

The “Dual Flow Through” fans are incorporated into the compact design of the RTX 5080, which allows it to occupy just two slots within a standard PC case. Additionally, the modified 12V2x6/12VHPWR power connector is intended to prevent any incidents related to cable melting.

Nevertheless, there’s a significant emphasis on raw performance, particularly given NVIDIA’s strong lean towards AI and the recent advancements in their DLSS 4 tech, which enhances visuals and employs Multi-Frame Generation for more fluid gameplay.

By utilizing a blend of artificial and gaming benchmarks, it becomes possible to assess improvements and drawbacks relative to prior models, while also addressing the regrettable issue of scalpers and inflated prices. In this article, I’m presenting my practical findings from testing the RTX 5080 FE – the latest premium graphics card for gamers who don’t require the oversized capabilities of its RTX 5090 sibling.

RTX 5080: Price, availability, and specs

As a tech enthusiast eagerly waiting for the latest releases, I can’t help but get excited about the upcoming launch of NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 5080 and its sibling, the RTX 5090, scheduled for January 30, 2025. Mark your calendars, because this is a date you won’t want to miss! In the US, you can be one of the first to get your hands on these powerhouses at 9 AM EST. If you’re located in the UK, that means it’s 3 PM CET when the sale goes live. So, grab a cup of coffee, set your alarm, and get ready for an unforgettable day!

In this review, I’m focusing on a special edition of the GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) known as The Founders Edition (FE), which is somewhat scarce but not exhaustive. To cater to a wider audience, NVIDIA’s collaborators are introducing an array of custom RTX 5080 GPUs. These variations can be found from well-known manufacturers such as ASUS, Colorful, Galax, Gigabyte, Inno3D, MSI, PNY, ZOTAC, and others.

The base model RTX 5080 from Nvidia, or Founders Edition, retails at $999, which is exactly half the cost of the RTX 5090. However, custom versions of the RTX 5080 manufactured by partners might have different prices; some could even be more expensive due to advanced cooling systems like water cooling, typically making them pricier. It’s uncertain whether any custom RTX 5080 cards will be sold for less than $999.

In the United States, shoppers looking for the Founders Edition cards by NVIDIA might want to explore both their official site and Best Buy. Meanwhile, retailers such as Newegg and B&H offer listings of custom GPUs from various partners that you can browse too.

If you reside in the United Kingdom, it seems that NVIDIA is your top choice for purchasing a Founders Edition GPU. On the other hand, if you’re seeking third-party GPUs, I’ve come across listings at Overclockers UK, Scan, and Ebuyer.

👉 How to buy an RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 on launch day

Priced at $999, the RTX 5080 FE is $200 cheaper than its predecessor, the RTX 4080, and costs the same as the RTX 4080 SUPER. Let’s examine how these three cards stack up against each other in terms of their raw specifications.

The possibility of acquiring an RTX 5080 on its release day or in the subsequent weeks might mainly depend on luck and timing. There’s talk that supply is scanty, even at big retailers, with an employee from Overclockers UK suggesting that merely a few hundred RTX 5080 graphics cards are available for launch.

As a researcher, I’m keeping a close eye on the upcoming release of the NVIDIA RTX 5080. However, due to potential issues with timing and quick deadlines on their end, there’s a possibility that this highly anticipated GPU might be temporarily out of stock for some time. It’s important to note that this prediction is subject to change in the coming days.

On the black market, scalpers are likely to capitalize on this situation, selling the new GPU at prices significantly higher than its suggested retail value. So, it’s crucial to stay informed and be patient if you’re planning to purchase one legitimately.

RTX 5080: Who is the target audience?

opting for the RTX 5090, priced at $1,999, could be considered more of a luxury buy, and there are valid reasons to steer clear of it. On the other hand, the RTX 5080, with its $999 price tag, appears much more appealing. It offers the same value as the RTX 4080 SUPER at its initial release, making it a strong contender for any avid gamers who seek a long-lasting GPU, even if they have a 4K monitor.

Contrasting with the RTX 4080 SUPER, the RTX 5080 boasts an increase in CUDA cores (from 10,240 to 10,752) and a boost in performance from its Shader, Ray Tracing, and Tensor cores. The RTX 5080 maintains the same 256-bit memory bus as its predecessor, but its VRAM has been upgraded to faster GDDR7 (in comparison to GDDR6X).

In contrast to the RTX 5090 which is designed for artists, scientists, AI specialists, and engineers, the RTX 5080 is more suitable for gamers due to its focus on gaming performance. Although it may not possess the same level of raw power as the RTX 4090, the significant reduction in price—ranging from $1,500 to $2,000 for RTX 4090 cards—makes up for this difference.

The AI performance of the RTX 5080, as measured by TOPS from its Tensor cores, significantly exceeds that of the RTX 4090. While the RTX 4090 can deliver 1,321 TOPS, the RTX 5080 increases this to 1,801 TOPS, and the RTX 5090 offers even more at 3,352 TOPS.

What’s the reason for the significant focus on Tensor cores in the latest Blackwell GPUs? Given the massive AI PC project launched in 2024, NVIDIA is increasingly leaning on AI to enhance gaming capabilities within their new graphics processors.

A significant aspect of the charm lies in the Multi-Frame Generation feature of DLSS 4, a technology that thus far is unique to RTX 5000 GPUs (though this may change). This innovative function enables the GPU to generate more frames while exerting less effort. The RTX 5090, with its colossal 3,352 TOPS from Tensor cores, maintains a commanding position, but the RTX 5080, boasting 1,801 TOPS, holds a strong second place.

In simpler terms, spending twice as much on the RTX 5090 compared to the RTX 5080 might not be a smart choice if you’re primarily a gamer. The RTX 5080 performs approximately 35% lower than the RTX 5090 in synthetic benchmarks, which is similar to being about 14% slower compared to the RTX 4090.

This means that for gaming purposes, the more expensive RTX 5090 may not provide significantly better performance.

In gaming comparisons, the RTX 5080 typically performs around 14% lower than the RTX 4090 and approximately 32% lower than the RTX 5090. This is without the added benefits of the latest DLSS 4 technology, which significantly boosts the RTX 5080’s frame rate beyond what the RTX 4090 can achieve.

Apart from enhancing Shader, Ray Tracing, CUDA, and Tensor technologies, NVIDIA has boosted the TGP (Total Graphics Power) of the RTX 5080 to 360 watts, which is a 40-watt rise relative to both the RTX 4080 and RTX 4080 SUPER. However, it’s important to note that this remains 90 watts below the power consumption of the RTX 4090.

RTX 5080: Design

Upon opening the box for my latest setup, receiving the RTX 5080 Founders Edition brought a familiar feeling as I had just reviewed the RTX 5090 FE earlier. Upon closer inspection, while the metal casing shows a minor variation, presenting a slightly darker shade of gunmetal gray on the RTX 5090, to the untrained eye, these top-tier cards are virtually indistinguishable.

Choosing the RTX 5080 FE means experiencing NVIDIA’s generation-overhaul advantages over the RTX 40 Series, such as a reduced GPU width and moved power socket. Keep in mind that it requires a PCIe 5.0 slot on your motherboard to function optimally. However, your power supply will be less stressed since its maximum power consumption is approximately 360W, compared to the RTX 5090’s 575W.

Similar to the RTX 5090 Founders Edition, the RTX 5080 FE comes with a NVIDIA-official power adapter if your PSU lacks a compatible 12V2x6/12VHPWR hookup, a feature inherited from the top-tier RTX 40 Series GPUs. Unlike its higher counterpart though, you only need three 8-pin PCIe connectors to power the RTX 5080, which may lead to cable management difficulties in your case, depending on its design.

Regarding the concern about cable melting on the RTX 4090, you can relax as NVIDIA firmly believes that the new 12V2x6 pin layout addresses this unfortunate and potentially hazardous problem. I possess a 450W 12VHPWR cable from an RTX 4090 Founders Edition, but for testing purposes, I chose a three-way split adapter. At least, consider a power supply unit (PSU) with a minimum capacity of 850W to accommodate the RTX 5080, and a 1000W unit would be a wise choice as well, offering good value.

For personal use, I opt for the MSI MEG Ai1300P 1300W power supply, although it’s quite pricey and may be excessive. Despite this, it functioned flawlessly during my tests of high-end RTX 50 Series GPUs with my Ryzen 7 9800X3D setup, making it a solid choice if you prioritize PSU compatibility. In terms of power consumption, the innovative “Double Flow Through” fan design on the RTX 5080 FE directs hot air upward towards my CPU block and RAM. However, my processor benefits from ARCTIC’s Liquid Freezer III AIO block, which features a built-in VRM fan, helping to minimize additional heat exposure.

With the new power connector port being positioned in a more advantageous spot, there’s an increased airflow toward the top of your case that requires special attention for CPU cooling. If you choose conventional air coolers with heatsink towers, it would be wise to keep an eye on your processor temperatures when testing RTX 50 Series cards at their maximum capacity. Should your CPU temperatures rise beyond normal levels, it may be necessary to adjust your case fan arrangement and consider a more effective cooling solution.

RTX 5080: Performance benchmarks

Initially, examining the side-by-side performance of the RTX 5080 Founders Edition versus NVIDIA’s former top-tier model, the RTX 4090 FE, offers somewhat intricate findings because it is unlikely to find the latter at its original price in 2025. Nonetheless, considering hypothetical data, the RTX 5080 FE priced at $999 performs approximately 14% lower than the RTX 4090 FE which retailed for $1,599 in 2022 and beyond, a price that was virtually unattainable for many due to excessive price hiking by retailers.

Compared to NVIDIA’s top-tier RTX 5090 Founders Edition, the RTX 5080 Founders Edition underperforms by approximately 35% in synthetic tests. However, debating about the cost effectiveness of $999 versus $1,599 only holds merit if a consumer has a realistic chance of purchasing either card at their suggested retail price (MSRP). While this might be possible on launch day, it’s more like winning a lottery. Post-launch, the harsh reality of inflated prices due to scalping is likely to overshadow any such comparison.

To evaluate a three-way stress test, I rely on the 3DMark’s Speed Way benchmark to monitor average temperatures, frame rates, and power consumption. Fortunately, the RTX 5080 Founders Edition performs better in terms of cooling under heavy load compared to its sibling RTX 5090 and even the bulky RTX 4090 FE from NVIDIA’s previous generation. The RTX 5080 consumes power between 335W and 343W at approximately 67°C, maintaining almost the same 2.73 GHz frequency as the RTX 4090 but falling slightly behind by about 7 frames per second (FPS).

In synthetic benchmarks, the performance of the RTX 5080 FE lags approximately 14% behind the RTX 4090 and about 35% behind its top-tier model, the RTX 5090 FE.

Without a doubt, the reduced heat levels in the RTX 5080 are particularly comforting, especially when considering its predecessor, the RTX 4090 flagship from last generation. The sleek redesign of the RTX 50 Series caught my attention during my RTX 5090 FE review; however, it’s the higher average temperatures that gave me pause, particularly for a fresh card with a long-term future of frequent use ahead. Despite NVIDIA eliminating a hotspot sensor from these new GPUs, I strongly advise monitoring external temperatures before relying solely on benchmark data.

RTX 5080 temperature and fan noise

3DMark’s Speed Way continuously ran through its tracks during a rigorous test, and just as anticipated, the hottest region on the RTX 5080 FE corresponded with that of the RTX 5090 FE. However, instead of reaching 66.4°C, it peaked at a more manageable 55.4°C. Given that the RTX 5080 has a power rating of 360W compared to the RTX 5090’s 575W, cooler temperatures are typically observed. The reduction of 11°C is quite substantial and brings some reassurance. Nevertheless, I still think that traditional CPU heatsink cooling solutions may require additional attention due to the increased flow of warm air. Yet, it’s a comforting sight.

In a similar fashion, the noise level decreases from 50.5 decibels on the RTX 5090 FE to 44.9 decibels on the RTX 5080. This is somewhat closer to my 44.7 dBA measurements of the previous-generation RTX 4090, yet it achieves this with the streamlined chassis of NVIDIA’s RTX 50 Series remodel. It’s audible, but during peak performance, it doesn’t seem excessively loud. This “Double Flow Through” design is more noticeable in the RTX 5080 Founders Edition, even considering its potential impact on CPU temperatures.

RTX 5080: Gaming benchmarks

In my game testing for evaluation, I am employing the exact same settings as those used in my RTX 5090 Founders Edition review. This includes several contemporary games running without DLSS upscaling and frame generation (with the exception of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, which employs frame gen), when compared to the last-gen flagship, the RTX 4090, the RTX 5080 FE performs approximately 14% lower with the highest possible visual settings and a resolution of 1440p. For now, I have yet to conduct 4K testing; however, Baldur’s Gate 3 provides an exceptional raw performance of 185 FPS, ensuring no problems for a smooth UHD gaming experience.

Compared to the RTX 5090 Founders Edition, benchmark results indicate that the RTX 5080 performs approximately 32% lower in gaming performance. This percentage difference raises questions about whether the additional $1,000 cost is justified, but it should be noted that this model consumes more power (575W) and runs hotter overall, making it less efficient. Additionally, these results are based on maximum settings, with many settings potentially falling into a placebo territory that may not significantly improve frame rates while offering minimal visual differences to the user.

In gaming tests, the RTX 5080 card delivers approximately 14% lower performance compared to the previous generation’s RTX 4090, and about 32% lower performance relative to its powerful counterpart, the RTX 5090.

Despite achieving an average of 42 FPS in Cyberpunk 2077 with Ray Tracing: Overdrive and Path Tracing activated at 1440p, the RTX 5080, a premium high-end GPU, seems to fall short of expectations. Some aspects of the game’s settings may require adjustment, but NVIDIA’s DLSS 4 significantly boosts this frame rate, as I’ll demonstrate in the following section. However, it’s important to note that gamers often prioritize raw frames, or “brute force rendering” as NVIDIA terms it, so here’s what you can anticipate when the settings are maximized.

Just like synthetic benchmark tests show, the average temperatures on the RTX 5080 tend to be lower and more similar to those seen in NVIDIA’s physically larger RTX 4090 Founders Edition. A temperature reading of up to 60°C is generally not a cause for concern, especially if you can maintain a steady frame rate of 60 FPS or higher. This frame rate should increase to above 120 FPS with the future introduction of native DLSS Multi-Frame Gen in AAA titles. If some games fall below 60 FPS, lowering settings from ‘Epic/Ultra’ to ‘High’ can help. Additionally, using DLSS upscaling can further enhance visuals for a 4K experience if you prefer the highest graphical settings.

Cyberpunk 2077: DLSS 4 MFG on vs. off

Overdrive and Path Tracing at 1440p delivers 45 FPS, which is still considered acceptable. Interestingly, choosing double the resolution (2x) may provide a smoother experience if you can tolerate a lower frame rate, as it seems to reduce the number of artificial frames, resulting in a steadier gameplay.

RTX 5080: Competition

In simpler terms, finding competitors for the NVIDIA RTX 5080 Founder Edition is less challenging than it was for the extremely expensive RTX 5090 FE. However, NVIDIA still maintains a significant lead. The RTX 5080 FE, priced at $999, can be compared to AMD’s Radeon RX 7900 XTX, which usually retails for around its suggested ~$999 price on Amazon. The RTX 50 Series has an advantage due to features like DLSS 4 and Multi-Frame Gen. Unless the RTX 5080 experiences severe price hikes (scalping), AMD’s card might only attract gamers if the situation arises.

Despite costing $1,000 more than the RTX 5080 FE, the RTX 5090 offers only +32% gains in average framerates, making it seem more like a luxury item rather than a practical upgrade for most enthusiasts. The lower temperatures and significant price reduction do not make the RTX 5080 any less appealing as a high-end choice, and the RTX 5090 doesn’t quite measure up in terms of competition. This is reminiscent of the RTX 4090 FE from the previous generation, which is rarely available at its suggested retail price, effectively making it an irrelevant option for the majority of consumers.

An appealing alternative could be a pre-owned RTX 4080 SUPER or RTX 4090 priced under $1,000.

During this period, AMD is dedicating additional time to refine their software suite for optimal performance with its upcoming RDNA 4 graphics cards. This delay, pushing the launch into March 2025, leaves these cards with minimal opportunity to challenge NVIDIA’s lead with the RTX 50 Series.

Even if some Radeon 9000 cards prematurely surface in stores, we’ll need to wait for real-world comparisons before determining any competition between them and the benefits of NVIDIA’s DLSS 4 technology, particularly if you have opinions about “synthetic frames.

In the current scenario, an appealing rival to the RTX 5080 could be securing a pre-owned model or even stumbling upon a newly-unopened RTX 4080 SUPER or RTX 4090 priced under $1,000. Some creative workarounds might bring DLSS 4 advantages to the RTX 40 Series GPUs prematurely, with NVIDIA suggesting that an official solution is coming soon, so hold off on ruling out RTX 4070 Ti/4080/SUPER cards just yet. The launch date is quickly approaching, and its impact on competition will be significant.

RTX 5080: Should you buy it?

You should buy this if …

✅ You prefer gaming at maximum settings

To fully maximize the visuals in your preferred games to their highest settings, it’s advisable to have a potent graphics card like the RTX 5080. Although it isn’t the most advanced model, it will deliver a seamless 4K experience when you employ DLSS 4 and MFG x4 technology.

✅ You want a slimline GPU

Third-party brand AIB cards for the RTX 5080 may provide thicker and longer versions with additional cooling fans and overclocked components. On the other hand, NVIDIA’s Founders Edition is a sleek, compact design that maintains its coolness even under pressure.

You should avoid this if …

❌ You already own an RTX 4080 SUPER or 4090

In simpler terms, you probably won’t notice much improvement in performance when comparing the RTX 5080 to its previous versions, particularly if you prioritize power rendering over techniques like upscaling or frame generation.

Compared to the original version of the RTX 4090 Founders Edition (FE), which is often hard to find below $2,500, the new RTX 5080 Founders Edition should be priced around 60% lower. However, this percentage difference doesn’t fully capture the reality since the RTX 4090 FE is seldom found for less than its original price. Instead, you might save approximately 150% when purchasing the RTX 5080 FE. Although it lags behind by about 14% in gaming performance, this trade-off allows you to save around $1,500 and enjoy the benefits of DLSS 4 upscaling and frame generation technologies, which work synergistically with NVIDIA Reflex to significantly reduce input latency.

Opting for a current-generation graphics card like the RTX 4080 SUPER is more practical financially since it costs approximately $1,000. With a sleek redesign and altered power connectors, this type of card should alleviate the problem of overheating cables. In terms of performance, the RTX 5080 Founders Edition emerges as the top choice for budget-conscious gamers. It offers a balanced high-end experience without the need to pay the extravagant $1,999 MSRP of an RTX 5090 FE.

2025-01-29 17:12