Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 Super review – the new $999 champion

The GeForce RTX 4080 Tremendous marks the ultimate graphics card refresh we are able to anticipate from the Nvidia GeForce RTX 40 collection, a minimum of for now, and it’s arguably probably the most thrilling of the bunch. Whereas it provides the smallest efficiency bump, relative to the earlier two releases, its new $999 MSRP is altogether extra reasonably priced and higher priced than its predecessor, with probably seismic knock-on results for the high-end house.

I’ve been testing the RTX 4080 Tremendous over the previous few days and was lucky sufficient to obtain each a Nvidia Founders Version and an Asus TUF Gaming mannequin. Each are reference class SKUs and carry out largely the identical primarily based on my testing, however I’ve had my arms on the latter for longer, so will probably be the main focus of this assessment. Both card will serve you nicely, but when I had been to select the perfect graphics card between them it might definitely be the stealthier, extra mature design of the Founders Version.

RTX 4080 Tremendous specs

The enhancements made to the RTX 4080 Tremendous specs versus the unique graphics card mirror these of the RTX 4070 Tremendous, specifically quicker clock speeds and better core counts. Nevertheless, the diploma to which they’ve all been bolstered is rather more modest, which interprets into equally modest efficiency beneficial properties.

All three core sorts (CUDA, RT, and Tensor) leap in quantity by 5%, reaching the bounds of what’s potential with the AD103 GPU. Whereas Nvidia doubtless may have put collectively a cutdown AD102 for the RTX 4080 Tremendous, it’s clear that the corporate’s main objective right here is to enhance worth above all else with the graphics card’s new $999 MSRP. Nonetheless, the now $600 hole between it and the RTX 4090 does depart room for a potential RTX 4080 Ti utilizing that aforementioned GPU if Nvidia was so inclined.

The bottom clock rises from 2,205MHz on the RTX 4080 to 2,295MHz on the Tremendous, marking a 290MHz bump. In the meantime, the RTX 4080 Tremendous increase clock goes up by a virtually negligible 45MHz, from 2,505MHz to 2,550MHz. Whilst you may in all probability obtain these clock speeds on the unique card via some delicate overclocking, don’t anticipate to attain the identical efficiency given the aforementioned distinction in core counts.

The reminiscence configuration of the RTX 4080 Tremendous is unchanged, that includes a 256-bit bus and 16GB of GDDR6X VRAM. This leaves it behind each the RX 7900 XTX and XT – its closest rivals – however this setup remains to be adequate for operating even probably the most demanding video games of at this time at 4K with ray tracing enabled. Nonetheless, extra capability is at all times welcome, and I’d prefer to see a Blackwell successor sporting a minimum of 20GB within the coming years.

RTX 4080 Tremendous benchmarks

In conducting our RTX 4080 Tremendous benchmarks, we captured body price knowledge at native 1080p, 1440p, and 4K. Nevertheless, for the sake of relevance, our efficiency evaluation can be targeted on 4K, as that is the place the cardboard’s capabilities are finest suited. Galleries containing our FHD and QHD findings can be forthcoming, for these of you that want to view them.

Our efficiency metrics had been captured utilizing the Asus TUF Gaming mannequin, which serves as a match for the Founders Version when it comes to specification, albeit with a customized cooler. As at all times, we’ve paired the graphics card with the perfect gaming CPU accessible, the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D, however even this highly effective processor creates a bottleneck for the RTX 4080 Tremendous at decrease resolutions.

To create probably the most insightful comparisons between graphics playing cards, we have now captured recent body knowledge for all of the GPUs listed within the graphs and described within the paragraphs under. They had been benchmarked utilizing the identical check PC, utilizing the most recent accessible drivers.

RTX 4080 Tremendous ray tracing benchmarks

Throughout our ray tracing suite, common body charges on the RTX 4080 Tremendous come out 5% forward of the RTX 4080. That is in no way a large shift, however as soon as its $999 MSRP is taken into consideration, the improved worth of the brand new card is made clear.

The RTX 4080 Tremendous leaves each the RX 7900 XT and XTX firmly within the mud on the subject of ray tracing, with respective differentials of 43% and 28% in common body price throughout our check suite. The hole widens additional as soon as the minimal body price is taken into consideration, with a 48% and 32% benefit. These percentages are spectacular on their very own however are all of the extra so given the RX 7900 XTX MSRP matches that of the RTX 4080 Tremendous, whereas the 7900 XT is just $100 (10%) cheaper.

Whereas it could rule the roost on the subject of ray tracing efficiency underneath $1,000, the RTX 4080 Tremendous remains to be worlds other than the RTX 4090. That mentioned, the latter doesn’t look as engaging a purchase order because it did in comparison with the RTX 4080. Beforehand, the RTX 4080 gave you 65% of the RTX 4090’s efficiency for 75% of the associated fee, whereas now you get a greater worth purchase with 72% of its efficiency for 62% of the associated fee.

Lastly, evaluating RT efficiency to the RTX 3090, we see the RTX 4080 Tremendous pull forward by a cushty 39% on common. It’s price noting that that is with out the usage of DLSS Tremendous Decision or Body Era too, with the latter widening the efficiency hole between the 2 graphics playing cards, as we’ll cowl additional on on this assessment.

RTX 4080 Tremendous – 3DMark ray tracing benchmarks

We start our evaluation with 3DMark, to get a snapshot of the RTX 4080 Tremendous’s ray tracing capabilities relative to its rivals. Unsurprisingly, it comes out on prime towards all however the RTX 4090.

Trying exterior the graph above, the RTX 4080 Tremendous’s closest rivals stay its personal siblings, with the RTX 4070 Ti Tremendous and RTX 4070 Ti every outclassing each the RX 7900 XT and XTX.

The RTX 4080 Tremendous is a staggering 40% quicker than the RX 7900 XT and 25% forward of the RX 7900 XTX on this check. The distinction between it and the unique RTX 4080 is understandably a lot smaller, clocking in at 2%, with the cardboard falling behind the RTX 4090 by a large 27%.

RTX 4080 Tremendous – Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora ray tracing benchmarks

As probably the most fashionable sport in our suite, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora is a superb yardstick to measure the potential longevity of the RTX 4080; in native rendering a minimum of.

Falling wanting a 60fps common, the RTX 4080 Tremendous does put in the perfect efficiency right here at 50fps, and it might little question hit the goal with some assist from DLSS upscaling. Each the RX 7900 XTX and XT path behind, leaning extra suitably in direction of a local 4K/30fps expertise.

To be clear, all these outcomes are admirable, given the efficiency footprint of the sport, however Nvidia stays the clear winner right here and, as will grow to be evident, stays so on the subject of ray tracing throughout mainly each sport.

RTX 4080 Tremendous – Cyberpunk 2077 ray tracing benchmarks

Regardless of its age, Cyberpunk 2077’s RT Extremely preset can nonetheless convey even probably the most highly effective graphics playing cards down a peg or two. It ought to come as no shock, then, that it proves an excessive amount of for all however the RTX 4090 on the subject of offering a reliably playable expertise.

To the RTX 4080 Tremendous’s credit score, it’s the one graphics card save for the RTX 4090 to hit a mean body price above 30fps. Nevertheless, its minimal body price usually hovers across the 26fps mark, successfully disqualifying its playability. It’s nonetheless miles forward of its Radeon competitors, although, whose finest efficiency quantities to 20fps, falling behind the RTX 3090.

RTX 4080 Tremendous – F1 23 ray tracing benchmarks

If ever there was an opportunity for the RX 7900 XTX to show its price towards the RTX 4080 Tremendous in ray tracing, it might be via F1 23. Nevertheless, whereas AMD’s flagship does flip in a good consequence, it nonetheless can’t sustain with Nvidia’s providing.

Whereas every graphics card sits comfortably above the 30fps threshold, the RTX 4080 Tremendous is once more the one GPU, bar the RTX 4090, to push previous a efficiency barrier, this time of 60fps. This metric is all of the extra vital for F1 23 as a racing sport, the place responsiveness is essential.

RTX 4080 Tremendous – Returnal ray tracing benchmarks

Returnal continues the development established by the earlier video games in our suite, with the RTX 4080 Tremendous pulling comfortably forward of the competitors, to the tune of 24% versus the RX 7900 XTX and 36% in comparison with the RX 7900 XT.

Trying on the RTX 4090, the RTX 4080 Tremendous musters 75% of its sibling’s efficiency. To hammer this level dwelling earlier than we transfer on to rasterization, it’s nice to see the value adjustment offering a lot better worth.

RTX 4080 Tremendous rasterization benchmarks

Enhancements to rasterization efficiency from the RTX 4080 Tremendous are greater than these of ray tracing in comparison with the RTX 4080, however nonetheless quantity to little greater than a 6% enchancment. Whereas this does assist shut the hole versus the RX 7900 XTX and XT, Nvidia finds itself on the again foot total on the subject of this conventional rendering workload.

Regardless of this concession, although, neither Radeon graphics card enjoys a comparable lead over the RTX 4080 Tremendous. The RX 7900 XT falls behind in all however one benchmark, which nonetheless leads to a efficiency hole of round 6% in favor of the RTX 4080 Tremendous. Turning to the RX 7900 XTX, it persistently wins however its lead averages out to simply 8% on common.

The RTX 4080 Tremendous supplies a larger share of the RTX 4090’s efficiency on the subject of rasterization, clocking in at 77%. In the meantime, in comparison with the RTX 3090, the RTX 4080 Tremendous enjoys a cushty 30% lead.

RTX 4080 Tremendous – 3DMark rasterization benchmarks

As a reminder, 3DMark serves as a largely correct efficiency snapshot, with Time Spy Excessive testing a graphics card’s rasterization efficiency at 4K. With this in thoughts, regardless of the RTX 4080 Tremendous edging out many of the competitors on this Time Spy Excessive benchmark, the real-world efficiency is a bit more sophisticated.

RTX 4080 Tremendous – Cyberpunk 2077 rasterization benchmarks

In Cyberpunk 2077, with ray tracing disabled, the RTX 4080 Tremendous finds itself following behind the RX 7900 XTX. This 6fps (10%) benefit leaves AMD with the one pixel pusher to attain 60fps, save for the RTX 4090 (in fact).

In comparison with the RX 7900 XT, the RTX 4080 Tremendous’s worth falters barely, with its 6% efficiency enchancment incurring an 11% greater value.

RTX 4080 Tremendous – F1 23 rasterization benchmarks

F1 23 can attain dizzyingly excessive body charges with ray tracing disabled, and whereas the RTX 4080 Tremendous does allow it to just do that, its efficiency nonetheless pales compared to the RX 7900 XTX. Worse nonetheless, for Nvidia, the RX 7900 XT additionally pulls forward, leaving the RTX 4080 Tremendous netting the bronze when it comes to common body price.

In comparison with the unique RTX 4080, we do see a welcome uplift of 11% that’s very practically sufficient to shut the hole with the RX 7900 XT. Turning consideration to the RX 7900 XTX, nevertheless, reveals the RTX 4080 Tremendous to be 11% slower.

RTX 4080 Tremendous – Returnal rasterization benchmarks

Simply three frames per second separate the RTX 4080 Tremendous and RX 7900 XTX in Returnal, which looks like splitting hairs given we’re approaching or at 90fps with these playing cards.

Recovering considerably from its poor worth versus the RX 7900 XT in F1 23, the RTX 4080 Tremendous is simply 1% shy of offering as a lot efficiency as its value distinction (11%).

RTX 4080 Tremendous – Whole Conflict: Warhammer 3 rasterization benchmarks

Whole Conflict: Warhammer 3 serves as a mirror to Avatar in our suite, with the previous being the one sport to solely assist rasterization whereas the latter’s Extremely preset contains ray tracing. In its Mirrors of Insanity benchmark, we see a 5fps cut up that separates the RX 7900 XT, RTX 4080 Tremendous, and RX 7900 XTX.

As soon as once more, the RX 7900 XTX finds itself on the head of the pack, with the RTX 4080 Tremendous trailing by 8%. We’d anticipate to see this type of efficiency differential apply to different rasterized video games, comparable to esports titles, which is vital to notice if that’s your main style of selection.

RTX 4080 Tremendous DLSS benchmarks

It’s unimaginable to debate the worth of an RTX 40 collection graphics card with out bringing DLSS into the dialog, be it Tremendous Decision, Ray Reconstruction, or Body Era. The characteristic set that Nvidia has crafted merely dwarfs what AMD at present provides, enormously growing the enchantment of the RTX 4080 Tremendous and its siblings versus the likes of the RX 7900 XTX.

As ever, it’s price noting that the graphs under will solely showcase the potential efficiency enhancements afforded by DLSS and FSR, and don’t display the variations between them when it comes to availability or constancy. The RTX 4080 Tremendous is suitable with each applied sciences, however there’s no purpose to not use FSR over DLSS if the latter is on the market.

Nvidia at present has the sting over AMD on each fronts, with DLSS 3 Body Era being extra broadly accessible than FSR 3, as a consequence of being accessible for an extended interval to builders. The hole is closing, however there’s nonetheless a protracted solution to go earlier than FSR 3 turns into anyplace close to as prolific.

In relation to picture high quality, DLSS continues to show itself because the superior choice too. Whereas Tremendous Decision by itself supplies barely greater high quality upscaling than FSR 2, DLSS Ray Reconstruction additional improves the standard of ray tracing on Nvidia GPUs, the RTX 4080 Tremendous included.

The DLSS 3 suite sees the RTX 4080 Tremendous practically lap the RX 7900 XT, with a 109% increase versus native rendering. In comparison with the RX 7900 XTX, it’s a night-and-day expertise, with the RTX 4080 Tremendous taking pictures previous the AMD GPU by a whopping 76%.

It’s price noting that we’ve opted to make use of the ‘High quality’ DLSS and FSR High quality preset right here, so you’ll be able to anticipate to see larger efficiency with a decrease upscaling decision.

The benefits the RX 7900 XTX loved versus the RTX 4080 Tremendous evaporate with DLSS 3 enabled, a minimum of when it comes to common body price. The minimal body price doesn’t get as sizable a leap, with AMD offering a extra constant expertise on this regard.

RTX 4080 Tremendous value

The RTX 4080 Tremendous MSRP is about at $999, marking a $200 discount from the rightly criticized $1,199 value of the unique RTX 4080. It’s via this variation that Nvidia has most successfully shifted the dialog surrounding its 80-class GPU, from one in all frustration to one in all real enticement.

The place as soon as the RX 7900 XTX was your solely choice for simply shy of or over $1,000, we now have a real various within the type of the RTX 4080 Tremendous. To be frank, I discover the latter extra compelling at this MSRP, and I strongly suspect we’ll see AMD modify its pricing accordingly, because it has (a minimum of quickly) within the wake of the RTX 4070 Ti Tremendous launch.

I nonetheless bemoan the truth that we’re a $300 value enhance versus the RTX 3080, even with this value adjustment, however there’s little level in dwelling on this additional save for the hope {that a} potential RTX 5080 finds itself extra in step with its Ampere heritage when it comes to MSRP.

Nvidia Geforce RTX 4080 Conclusion

The RTX 4080 Tremendous boasts every part that made the RTX 4080 marvelous (when it comes to efficiency) with a couple of additional tweaks to unlock the complete potential of its AD103 GPU. Most significantly, although, it largely treatments the largest drawback with the unique card: its value.

At $999, the RTX 4080 Tremendous escapes from underneath the shadow of the RTX 4090, offering the sort of worth in each ray tracing and rasterization that the RTX 4080 ought to have accomplished within the first place.

A lot as I’ve time for the RX 7900 XTX, it’s now due a value lower. A lot because the RX 7900 XTX might pull forward with ray tracing disabled it’s merely not sufficient of a result in match the benefits the RTX 4080 Tremendous enjoys with RT results enabled.

Within the brief time period, it’s additionally now price holding an eye fixed out for discounted RTX 4080 playing cards, as retailers inevitably try to clear inventory. Nevertheless, I wouldn’t pay any greater than $900-$950 for one if it may be helped. In any other case, I can confidently describe the RTX 4080 Tremendous as the perfect graphics card you’ll be able to seize now for round $1,000.

RTX 4080 Tremendous options

If the RTX 4080 Tremendous isn’t the appropriate match in your PC, listed here are some various graphics playing cards which can be price a glance: