Almost all the PC builders have found themselves in the same situation, and I honestly do not blame any of you. It happens to be the best of us. I am going through the same situation right now, and that segues into my round-up and buying guide that will help you buy the right GPU.
Best RTX 2080 Graphics Card – Updated Comparison Table
Best RTX 2080
Now the market is not going to be short of what options you will have available, but it is still wise that you are making the right decision as to what you want and what isn’t good for you. Even if you have your heart set on the RTX 2080, there are a lot of variants to get through.
#1- ASUS GeForce RTX 2080 ROG STRIX OC Edition
Asus GPUs are always my top choice every time I am in the market. Not because I am biased but then again, I have a build that is compiled mostly of ROG components, so it makes sense to go ahead and have a cohesive element. With that said, if it is a performance you want, you will be getting it.
Nvidia’s Turing architecture with 1890 MHz boosts clock in OC mode. 8 gigs of VRAM, with 2944 CUDA cores. Support for up to 4 monitors. Asus AURA Sync RGB lighting with the ability to add more LED strips to your PC. Triple Axial Tech allows for increased airflow and IP5x dust resistance.
Looks stunning through and through. Solid performance. Features such as DLSS are great for gaming. Fans don’t spin in idle. Dual BIOS configuration. Brilliant RGB with the ability to add more.
No, overclock on the memory.
The ASUS GeForce RTX 2080 ROG STRIX OC Edition uses the same design as the predecessor, and that is not necessarily a bad thing. It is faster than most of the GPUs available in the market, you are getting Nvidia’s RTX technology, and the GPU runs fairly quiet as well, and the fans stop when they are idle. You are getting features such as DLSS as well as deep learning, and the overall power consumption is not as high as some might think. The dual BIOS is a blessing to have, and having RGB headers on the card itself makes so much of it easier. At this point, the non-overclocked memory is something that can be a downside for some people but in my testing, it barely makes a difference.
#2- EVGA GeForce RTX 2080 Ultra Gaming FTW3
EVGA graphic cards have a long history of being amazing. All thanks to how EVGA builds them, and not to mention, their flexible warranty terms are amazing to begin with. You can strip your GPU and add a water block to it, and you still wouldn’t void your warranty, that is how flexible things are. Simply put, if you are looking for an RTX 2080 that delivers fantastic value for money, you should not think twice and get the Strix OC edition. Granted, it may not be for everyone, but the good news is that you are going to get exceptionally well-balanced performance. Not just that, even the thermals remain under full control, allowing for a better experience.
Boosts up to 1860 MHz and beyond. Comes equipped with triple HDB fans and a new 2.75 slot cooler design. Adjustable RGB LED for easier control. ICX sensors for better temperature monitoring. Backed by the industry-leading 3-year EVGA warranty.
Delivers a solid performance. Very low temperatures. Comes with a decent overclock out of the box. Increased power limit. ICX Sensors are great to have.
Fans can be a bit louder.
That is why I have decided to add an EVGA GeForce RTX 2080 Ultra Gaming FTW3 to my list of RTX 2080s as well because it deserves a spot here. Thanks to having solid performance over a lot of other variants, extremely low temperatures, and a hefty overclock right out of the box. Not just that, EVGA has also increased the power limit on this, so if you want to overclock this, you totally can go ahead with that. The additional ICX sensors are also added so you can have complete control over your GPU and how the thermals are going to be. Honestly, my only issue here is that at full speed or under load, the fans can be a bit louder. But that should not be an issue for everyone if you have a good case.
#3- MSI Gaming GeForce RTX 2080 GAMING X TRIO
MSI does not need any introduction, as they have delivered some of the finest RTX 2080 and graphics cards in general. They have a huge portfolio of some of the most impressive designs to date, and the one I am looking at today is no different. If you are looking for a card that can deliver exceptionally well-balanced performance and cost the same as other options, the EVGA GeForce RTX 2080 Ultra Gaming FTW3 is a definitive choice. It even comes bundled with two games, which is a great head start for anyone who just wants to buy it and get started. Granted, the fans can get louder in certain conditions, but it should not come in the way of the performance at all.
Tri-Frozr thermal design for effective cooling. Boosts up to 1860 MHz out of the box. Can be wirelessly controlled using Afterburner and your Android or IOS device. Dragon Center for one-click settings. TORX 3.0 fans for a top of the line thermal performance.
Packs a hefty overclock right out of the box. The card has one of the best thermal designs I have seen. Dual 8-pin power connectors as well as increased power limit for better and stable overclocking. The two-zone RGB lighting is tastefully done.
At almost 13-inch in length, the card might not fit easily into smaller cases.
The MSI Gaming GeForce RTX 2080 GAMING X TRIO is the card to get if you want something massive and powerful. The cooling on this thing is excellent, and the card is boosted pretty aggressively out of the factor. That is backed by dual 8-pin power connectors for added stability. If you are a fan of RGB lighting, which is very probably that you are, you are also getting a two-zone RGB LED illumination which in my opinion, looks fantastic, to say the least. My only complaint here is that the card is pretty large at almost 13-inches and might not fit into smaller cases.
#4- ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 2080 AMP Extreme
Zotac could be best summed up as a company that does not know how to catch a break and I understand, as well. The company has been churning out some really powerful graphics card with the Amp Extreme series being ridiculously powerful. Overall, the MSI Gaming GeForce RTX 2080 GAMING X TRIO is something that you should be looking for. At this point, it is less about being a fan of MSI products and more about actually understanding what performance numbers you are going to get. Thankfully, the Gaming X Trio delivers improved performance over a lot of the other options and can easily outrun the stock configuration as well. It remains cool while doing so, and looks gorgeous, as well.
Boosts up to 1905 MHz clock speed. Icestorm 2.0 cooling. 16+4 power phase design for added stability. Supports up to 4 displays 2944 CUDA cores coupled with 8 gigs of VRAM.
The 16+4 phase power design is great for stability. Brings a pretty hefty overclock out of the box. Overclocked memory for an even faster experience. Increased power limit results in zero throttling. Samsung’s memory is efficient. Gorgeous RGB lighting.
The temperatures can get pretty hot under full load.
The ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 2080 AMP Extreme tells the same story as it is the fastest 2080 that I have tested so far. That’s not all though, it brings 16-phase VRM and 4-phase memory, and has a hefty overclock right out of the box. Even the memory on this GPU is overclocked. You also get increased power limit which ensures that there is no throttling, and the fan still manages to stop at idling. The card uses Samsung memory, which is good when you want to overclock. The only issue I did notice is that due to the overclocked configuration, the card tends to run hot, but if you have adequate airflow, I doubt you will be running into any issue.
#5- Gigabyte GeForce RTX 2080 Windforce 8G
Gigabyte has a long history of amazing graphic cards. Especially their Windforce series that has become a staple for some of the finest options in the market, and honestly, if you are looking for something that is both affordable and delivers exceptionally well-balanced performance, this is what you should be looking at. Overall, if you are searching for the most powerful RTX 2080 in the market, there is no denying that the ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 2080 AMP Extreme is going to deliver on every front. Granted, it is on the more expensive side, but the hefty overclock is something that will provide you with an excellent experience. Not just that, the overall performance of the card, as well as how good it looks are just a few things that you will be keeping in mind when you are investing in a good GPU like this. There are no performance losses, to begin with.
Boost clock reaches 1800 MHz in OC mode. 8+6 pin PCIe power connectors. Triple slot Windforce cooling for effective operations. 2944 CUDA cores with 8 gigs of VRAM.
Runs effectively cool thanks to a beefy cooler. Comes with a modest overclock out of the box. One of the more affordable 3rd party RTX 2080s in the market. The RGB lighting looks good.
The overall construction feels a bit flimsy.
Now the Gigabyte GeForce RTX 2080 Windforce 8G is the one we are looking at today, and if you are searching for a card that runs cooler than some of the other options in the market, then this is it. But wait, there is more. For starters, the GPU boost is higher than most options. If you are looking for a good third party RTX 2080, this one brings the best possible price as well, which means that you will not have to worry about overspending in the process. Another great thing here is that the GPU uses a triple slot cooler, which ensures proper cooling through and through. My only issue here is that the overall construction does not feel as premium as some of us would prefer. But overall, if you want to get your hands on a good graphics card, this is something that you should be looking at.
#6- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Founders Edition
The last card on the list is a bit different, for starters. For now, I have only been looking at the standard edition of the RTX 2080, but this time, I am looking at a different variant that comes straight from Nvidia’s factory. If you are looking for a GPU that offers stellar performance but does not cost a lot of money, then going for the Gigabyte GeForce RTX 2080 Windforce 8G Graphics Card Is not a bad idea at all. I understand that it is not as fast as some of the other 2080s in the market, but you are still getting a respectable performance. There are a few limitations, for instance, the cheaper construction might be something that sets a few people off, but aside from that, there is absolutely nothing wrong with this otherwise excellent GPU.
2944 CUDA cores with 8 gigs of VRAM. 14 Gbps memory speed. 2 slot founder’s edition cooler. 6 + 8 pin PCIe configuration. DLSS 2.0 support.
A solid upgrade over the other RTX 2080. Great performance in both 1440p and 4K gaming. DLSS 2.0 is a game-changer. One of the fastest GDDR6 memory. The Founder’s Edition design looks great.
None at this price.
In case you have not guessed it, I am talking about the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Founders Edition Graphics Card. Not only is it Founder’s Edition but it also delivers better overall binning because of being straight from Nvidia’s factory.. So, you are getting a better experience overall. For starters, this RTX 2080 is great for both 1440p and 4K gaming, which is just going to make things a bit better. You have support for DLSS 2.0 which looks excellent, and Nvidia’s Founder’s Edition design language looks gorgeous. You are also getting the really fast GDDR6 memory in any RTX 2080. Honestly, at the price you are paying, I cannot seem to find the RTX 2080 at fault in any situation.
Finding The Best RTX 2080 – Everything You Need to Know!
Now that we are done with looking at the list itself, the next logical step is to start looking at how you can go ahead and find the best RTX 2080 for yourself. Remember, things can be really easy for those who already know, but at the same time, it can be a confusing ordeal. For anyone who is looking for the absolute best graphics card in a given price tag, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Founders Edition Graphics Card is something that you should not be overlooking. If it is a performance you want, performance is what you are going to get. The GPU runs cool delivers exceptionally well-balanced performance, and the DLSS 2.0 support is a game-changer, especially in the modern AAA titles that are demanding in nature. You will not have any issues that could come in the way of how this card is going to perform, to begin with. Thanks to this buying guide, you should have an easier time making a decision. Therefore, let’s not digress any further and have a look.
What The Performance Is Like
For those who are wondering what the performance on the RTX 2080 is going to be like, don’t worry. It is one of the most powerful GPUs available in the market, that delivers 100 frames in most games at 1080p. However, you can easily take it to 1440p, and you will easily be getting above 60 frames per second. Not just that, in many games that are not that intensive or performance-hungry, even 4K gaming is entirely possible, making this GPU one of the best options available in the market. As far as the different numbers are concerned, the aftermarket options are generally faster. Just be sure that the card you are getting delivers you on the performance numbers you are targeting in the games you want. That would give you a much better idea as to what option to look at.
The Overall Size Of The Card
I still remember the day I got my hands on the GTX 970 Windforce edition, and while the card looked exceptionally beautiful, it had some severe issues as far as the fitting was concerned. It simply wouldn’t fit in the case, and I eventually had to opt for a newer case from the market. I am not saying that this is going to happen to everyone, but it would be ideal if you are looking for both the length and height of the card to ensure that you are not running into any clearance issues. Because the last thing you need is the hassle of buying a new case just because your GPU didn’t fit. Thankfully, almost all the board partners available in the market are known for releasing multiple variants of their graphics card, so even if you have a shorter case, you would be good to go.
Overlocking Any Good?
Moving on, whenever you are getting a good graphics card, you have to ask yourself if you are planning on overclocking it or not. I know it might sound like something that you will not have to think about at all. But in most cases, people do tend to overclock their graphics card, and it is better if you have considered this factor. Now the good news is that most of the GPUs that are available in the market come factory overclocked, which makes them a great choice for anyone to get their hands, especially if they don’t want to tinker with any additional overclocking on their own. But if you still want to get some overclocking done, go for something that brings a hefty overclock out of the box or has a better power phase design.
Clock Speed And Video Ram
If you are searching for a good graphics card that should have stellar performance out of the box, then one thing that you have to be certain of is that you are aware of the clock speed as well as the video RAM. All the RTX 2080s that are available in the market come with 8 gigs of GDDR6 VRAM. Now 8 gigs might seem less, but even if you are gaming at 4K, I have realized that 8 gigs are more than enough in almost all the scenarios. So, that is not what you should be worried about. As far as the clock speed is concerned, you will have to look for some good options available. For starters, if you are looking at the fastest OC out of the box, then going with the Amp Extreme is the one GPU that is going to make the most sense as it is going to deliver exceptional performance in every single way and you will not have any issues.
Cooling Mechanism
Whenever you are looking for a good GPU, one of the most important factors that you will need to make your decision refers to the cooling system. Thankfully, the blower system is not something that companies use all the time, but you have to be sure that the cooler that is on your GPU is capable enough. Thankfully, all the graphics cards that I have mentioned here deliver exceptional performance on all fronts, and you will not have any problems that you could come in contact with. Even the GPUs with higher core and boost clocks out of the box are also doing just perfectly with a good cooler, so there is not much to stress over.
Aesthetics & Design
The last thing that I am considering here refers to the aesthetics as well as the design of the GPU itself, I know it might not be something that everyone wants but in reality, you can get a lot of fun when you are looking at good designs. Especially if you are like me, who likes to have everything look cohesive. For instance, a large portion of my PC is built around the ROG lineup by Asus, and therefore, I prefer having something that is matching those aesthetics. It is just something that I always want. But hey, the choice is yours and based on your preference, you can decide as you see fit. There is also a handy buying guide for you that will only help you decide a better way. Here is to hoping that you have finally managed to look for the RTX 2080 that you wanted. Happy gaming, and we’ll catch you in the next one.
Question 1: Which is the best RTX 2080?
From the list that I have given to you, the best RTX 2080 happens to be the RTX 2080 Amp Extreme by Zotac. Not just because it looks amazing, but it is also the card that has the heaviest overclock right out of the box at 1905 MHz, which is a lot of power and an increased power limit means you can even push it further.
Question 2: Is an RTX 2080 worth it?
This is the question that a lot of people has asked me numerous times, and it talks about whether or not the RTX 2080 is worth it or not. After spending weeks with several different RTX 2080s available, I can tell you that if it is the performance you want, the card is going to deliver on all fronts.
Question 3: Which is better RTX 2080 or RTX 2080 Super?
When you are comparing the RTX 2080 with the RTX 2080 Super, the fact is that Nvidia claims that the latter is at least 10% faster than the standard RTX 2080, and this should not come as a surprise as it delivers performance that is very comparable to the RTX 2080 Ti, which is a great performance.
Question 4: Is 650w enough for RTX 2080?
Yes, a good 650W power supply is going to be more than enough for an RTX 2080 or the 2080 Super. If you head over to the Nvidia website, that is exactly what the company has listed as a spec, too. So, you should not have to worry about anything going wrong in the process.
