Unleash Your Gaming Potential with the Top RTX 4080 GPUs

Nvidia's Ada Lovelace technology has revolutionized modern GPU tech with impressive numbers being achieved through its DLSS 3.0-powered push to corner the market. The initial batch of RTX 4000 GPUs available for the entirety of 2022 was limited to the RTX 4090 (released on October 12, 2022) and the RTX 4080 (released on November 16, 2022), with the RTX 4070TI following suit shortly after on January 5th, 2023. The performance gap between the RTX 4000 series and the RTX 3000 lineup is significant enough to warrant a second look, despite there being a pricing difference in some cases.

The RTX 4080, based on Nvidia's AD103, has a notable performance gap compared to the RTX 4090 which has consistently been in high demand. However, the RTX 4080 is the only card in its space from Nvidia that offers a true next-generation performance upgrade while benefitting fully from DLSS 3.0. Even though Nvidia (and to a lesser extent AMD) are controlling and limiting supplies of Ada Lovelace GPUs to keep price points in line with their MSRP, the RTX 4080 is more readily available than some of its variants, which command a premium. Some may disagree with the initial price point of the RTX 4080, but as of May 18, 2023, they are now back to their MSRP or even lower in some cases. We have updated our current RTX 4080 picks based on new price guidance and added more options to keep up with more price-competitive offerings.

The RTX 4080 may not be the most budget-friendly option for gamers seeking an upgrade, but it presents a compelling choice for those in need of a new GPU for their PC or a necessary upgrade in the future. Additionally, Nvidia's free bundle offering a copy of the upcoming Diablo IV sweetens the deal.

The MSI GeForce RTX 4080 16GB GAMING X TRIO is a top-performing GPU that boasts above-average clock speeds and stunning aesthetics. While it is only slightly more expensive than the Nvidia RTX 4080 Founders Edition (FE), it offers exceptional value for its price.

The MSI GeForce RTX™ 4080 16GB GAMING X TRIO is a well-built and air-cooled graphics card that boasts dual-bios support and can be effectively overclocked. With a reasonable price point, it offers better value for money compared to the founders edition and looks better than many lower-end 4080 variants. However, it lacks the premium vapor chamber found in its more expensive Suprim X sibling. Despite this, the TRIO runs quietly and cool, delivering acceptable overclocking headroom. While it may fall short of MSI's premium Suprim X and ASUS's high-end ROG Strix & Strix OC variants in clock speeds, cooling, and design, we still consider it the best overall RTX 4080 due to its respectable temps and minor overclocking gains. Its ability to be tweaked to eke out extra performance without being pushed too hard makes it a leading contender in the market. At $1201 USD on Amazon, it is a capable entry that offers good value for money.

Zotac's Trinity OC SKU for the RTX 4080 is a solid choice for those seeking a well-built and conservatively-clocked GPU. Despite its limited factory boost clocks, it offers great value for its (relatively) reasonable price point, running cool and overclocking well. It boasts an excellent RGB lighting system with 5 distinct customizable zones, and features an industry-leading 24+4 phase VRM design for the GPU. However, its overclock out of the box is relatively tame compared to other 3rd party SKU alternatives.

The ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 4080 16GB Trinity OC is a fantastic RTX 4080 option for those who are not completely convinced by the MSI alternative we suggested earlier. Equipped with a robust cooler, slightly restricted boost clocks, and an exceptional power delivery mechanism, the Zotac Trinity SKU of the RTX 4080 boasts remarkable RGB lighting with comprehensive control of up to 5 zones, while remaining priced at the same MSRP tier as the founders edition.

As is typical with most RTX 4080/4090 GPUs, the size can pose a challenge when upgrading to the RTX 4080, and the ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 4080 16GB Trinity OC is no exception in this regard, thanks to its large profile. However, the Zotac offering is still a complete RTX 4080 with excellent pricing, great RGB lighting, and build quality that makes it an easy recommendation for us, given its price-to-performance ratio when compared to other RTX 4080 SKUs.

PNY GeForce RTX 4080 16GB XLR8 Gaming GPU is the Best Affordable Non-FE RTX 4080 GPU with Excellent Build Quality and an Excellent Price.

The PNY GeForce RTX 4080 16GB XLR8 Gaming OC GPU is an excellent option for those in the market for an RTX 4080 GPU. Despite its relatively tame boost clocks, it offers decent performance and is priced at a discount compared to most of its competition. The GPU uses a tri-fan air-cooled thermal component to keep temperatures in check.

The card has a boost clock that is 45 MHz higher than the RTX 4080 Founders edition and features an excellent large air cooler on top of a thermal solution that operates quietly while keeping temperatures low. The card also boasts great-looking but subtle RGB lighting effects that outdo most of its competition with ease.

While it does have slightly lower boost clocks than some of the other options on our list, the PNY GeForce RTX 4080 16GB XLR8 OC Gaming GPU is still an excellent, well-priced SKU that offers much better value than the founder's edition MSRP. Additionally, its excellent vapor chamber based air-cooled thermal solution makes it distinctly better than most of its competition. The GPU is priced at $1150 at Newegg and $1130 at Amazon.

The PNY offering may just be the beginning of unofficial price cuts by Nvidia and its AIB partners due to a relatively slow RTX 4000 series market. This trend is further supported by AMD's guidance, which indicates slower semiconductor sales across the board. Nvidia's RTX 4080 is caught between a much more competent RTX 4070TI in terms of price: performance, and downwards pricing pressure from the RTX 4090 itself. As a result, SKUs are trading close to or slightly below their MSRP levels for the first time since their launch.

The ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX® 4080 OC Edition is a great value for money, costing as much as the Founders Edition while delivering better performance. Its cooling mechanism is top-notch, featuring a complete vapor chamber that keeps temperatures low. Additionally, the card is extremely durable, with dual ball bearing fans and military-grade capacitors, making it built to last in more ways than one. Unlike the competition, the TUF RTX 4080 also comes with dual HDMI 2.1 ports. While it may not be the best-looking card in its price bracket, it's a fair tradeoff given its excellent performance and affordability. Currently on sale on Amazon for $1250, it takes the crown as the best budget RTX 4080 in the market.

The ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX® 4080 OC Edition stands out as one of the best RTX 4080 options on the market. Its cooler is arguably the best-in-class, with a design that exudes quiet power. This GPU has excellent 24+4 Phase power delivery, meaning it can handle pretty much all reasonable overclocking needs while delivering stable, reliable power across the board. Its cooling system also allows for considerable tweaking potential. While it is somewhat pricey compared to the competition, including the TUF from ASUS, it is one of the fastest RTX 4080 units out of the box. The only downside is its size, as it is 3.5 slots wide and may be a hard fit in most average or ITX-sized builds, if at all. Currently priced at $1450 on Amazon, it offers premium power at a price.

The ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX® 4080 OC Edition is the epitome of ASUS's premium offerings, and it lives up to its name. Following the design philosophy of its higher-end RTX 4090 variant, the Strix OC boasts a 24+4 phase power delivery system, ensuring a stable power delivery for optimal performance. When compared to other comparable RTX 4080s, the Strix OC tops the benchmarks for almost every game it runs, making it a force to be reckoned with.

One of the main reasons for this exceptional performance is the excellent vapor chamber-centric cooling system that has become a staple of ASUS's Strix lineup for the RTX 4000 launch cards. The 4080 Strix OC can effortlessly push past the 3GHz barrier on multiple titles, thanks to this cooling system, and it stays there with ease. Although it is priced just below $1500, it can compete with the RTX 4090 in terms of performance, making it an excellent choice for those who want a premium RTX 4080 with performance and aesthetics to match.

The Gigabyte Aorus GeForce RTX 4080 Master is widely regarded as the best-looking RTX 4080 GPU. Not only does it have great looks, but it also boasts excellent build quality.

The Gigabyte AORUS GeForce RTX 4080 Master 16G is a stunning graphics card. It boasts an impressive vapor chamber-based design along with the Windforce cooling fan system. The Edge view LCD is a standout feature, providing real-time updates on GPU performance and adding a beautiful contrast to the rest of the card's design. Additionally, the Dual Bios feature allows for easy switching between overclocked and quiet modes with the simple press of a button.

This graphics card from Gigabyte comes with a comprehensive 4-year warranty for the AORUS Master RTX 4080. The LCD edge view is a mainstay of Gigabyte's AORUS Master lineup and looks fantastic in both well-lit and dimly-lit scenarios, making it a standout feature. The build quality is also top-notch, with protection built-in to ensure a long-lasting GPU design.

However, the factory overclock is somewhat lacking when compared to other GPUs in the same price range which easily push past 2600MHz. Additionally, the pricing is a bit questionable, as there are faster out-of-the-box GPUs available for less. While the AORUS Master is a visually stunning take on Nvidia's penultimate card this generation, it raises valid questions about the value of a GPU that already receives criticism for its $1200 MSRP, as it is currently priced at $1300 on Amazon.

With a comprehensive 4-year warranty and a well-utilized LCD edge view feature, the Gigabyte AORUS GeForce RTX 4080 Master 16G provides decent value for money compared to the RTX 4080 Founders Edition (FE), with a sub-$150 premium. However, it is worth questioning Gigabyte's decision to significantly underclock a well-cooled GPU, especially considering that the card can easily handle custom overclock modes. This is a curious call from the Aorus team for an otherwise excellent GPU.

When it comes to choosing the best RTX 4080 GPU for your PC, the decision is not a straightforward one. You may want to consider factors such as value, premium features, or aesthetics. We have listed our top picks for each category, as well as our overall pick that offers a blend of all three. Additionally, if you are considering options beyond the RTX 4080s, our comprehensive Nvidia GPUs guide for 2023 can help you make an informed decision for your new PC GPU, RTX upgrade, or budget card. Ultimately, we believe that there are no bad choices on our list for an RTX 4080, and you should pick the GPU that best suits your individual needs based on the information provided above.

If you've already invested in an RTX 4080 GPU, it's important to make sure you have a compatible and reliable power supply unit (PSU) to protect your investment. To ensure uninterrupted gaming or work sessions on your PC or workbench, we recommend checking out our list of the best PSUs currently available. And if you're wondering what the minimum power supply requirement is for an RTX 4080, we have the answer for you in our FAQ section.

A: To ensure the longevity and efficiency of your investment in the RTX 4080, it is recommended to pair it with a high-end Gold-rated PSU that can handle up to 850W of load. If you plan on upgrading to the RTX 4090 in the future, a 1000W PSU would be a wise, future-proof purchase.

Q: Is it worth getting the RTX 4080 now or should I wait?

A: While the RTX 4080 may come with a hefty price tag, it offers exceptional gaming performance and real-time ray tracing at 4K resolution for most titles, making it a strong contender for your next GPU upgrade. Currently, it holds the title as the second fastest GPU chip on the market, which is a significant achievement during a time when top-heavy GPUs from both AMD and Nvidia are vying for market share with their RTX 4000 and RX 7000 series.