The newest line of GPUs from Nvidia has started being distributed, with the introduction of their RTX 50-series graphics cards. Although the GeForce RTX 5090 stands as the premium choice among Nvidia’s current offerings, the GeForce RTX 5080 – powered by their new Blackwell architecture – is a more accessible option for most consumers. After testing the 5080 in various gaming scenarios, it can be confidently stated that this graphics card promises much anticipation for many gamers.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 Founder’s Edition Design
Following the distinctive style of its Founder’s Edition cards from the 30-series, Nvidia has maintained a similar look for the GeForce RTX 5080. While it shares a resemblance with the 4080 in terms of overall shape, Nvidia has introduced some modifications as well. The 5080 continues to flaunt the same brushed metal finish in a black color palette, a design that renders the card exceptionally attractive and fashionable.
Instead of a single fan at the top and another at the bottom on the right side, the GeForce RTX 5080 boasts a pair of fans positioned underneath. Contrastingly, fins used to be found only on the top right side, but now they’re evenly distributed across the top. Moreover, these fins have a slight dip as they approach the center to enhance airflow beneath the fans. The recent design debut with the 30-series sparked worries about thermal efficiency, particularly in comparison to the triple-fan layout of partner boards. However, Nvidia has persistently refined the design, and in my opinion, this latest version is the most aesthetically pleasing card so far.
In essence, this improvement enhances the cooling system significantly for the GeForce RTX 5080, thereby maintaining lower temperatures. It’s subjective, but aesthetically speaking, the GeForce RTX 5080 graphics card is appealing, featuring a subtle light accent on the logo and in the “X” where the two fins meet.
The GeForce RTX 5080 stands out as a particularly slim card when compared to the 40-series, fitting comfortably into only two slots within your computer case. Moreover, its weight is remarkably light at approximately 1,654 grams. It’s evident that Nvidia prioritizes efficiency with the GeForce RTX 5080 GPU, not just in terms of its performance, thermals, and power consumption, but also by minimizing the space it requires in a build.
GeForce RTX 5080 Founder’s Edition Performance and Testing
Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 Founder’s Edition Specs:
| Architecture | Blackwell |
|---|---|
| VRAM | 16GB DDR7 on a 256-bit Bus |
| 1,801 Trillions of Operations Per Second (TOPS) | 5th Generation AI Tensor Cores |
| 171 Tera Floating-Point Operations Per Second (TFLOPS) | 4th Generation Ray Tracing Cores |
| Base Clock | 2.3 GHz (Boost: 2.62 GHz) |
| Ports | 3x Display Port 2.1b, 1x HDMI 2.1 |
| Thermal Design Power (TDP) | 360 W |
| Connector | 3x 8-pin via adapter or 1x 12-pin PCIE 5 cable (450W) |
In discussions about performance, there will be many debates on how the GeForce RTX 5080 compares to its previous generation counterparts. Typically, the xx80 series has consistently surpassed all of its earlier versions, even the xx90 card. However, this is not true for the 5080 when solely considering raw power; but if we factor in price and value, it may offer a different perspective.
The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 Founder’s Edition is priced at $999, in contrast to the initial cost of the RTX 4080 at $1,199. This means that more gamers can afford the new 5080 model, which is advantageous. Furthermore, even those not planning to upgrade to the 50-series may find lower prices for the 40-series cards due to competition from the 5080’s price point.
The relatively low cost you’ll pay for this model results in a more restrained improvement in performance. To be specific, the GeForce RTX 5080 is roughly 7-10% stronger than the 4080 Super, which equates to around 7 to 10 extra frames per second (FPS) on average compared to its previous generation counterpart during gaming. This figure may rise slightly depending on the game, but generally, we observed that a 10 FPS increase was the most typical result, calculated as an average across various game scenes. It’s worth noting that when the 4080 launched, the difference in performance between the 3080 Founder’s Edition was approximately twice as much, at around 20 FPS.
This generation’s advancement is relatively small compared to the previous one, but it’s still an aspect PC gaming enthusiasts should ponder. However, simply stating this doesn’t fully explain why many gamers might find it worth considering an upgrade for the 50-series.
Multi-Frame Generation is a Game-Changer for the RTX 5080
Performance matters significantly for improving frame rates, but what truly sets the 50-series apart is Multi-Frame Generation. In its debut, the DLSS 4 technology has shown remarkable prowess, elevating the standards of frame generation technology. Notably, this advanced feature is unique to the 50-series, and the GeForce RTX 5080 is capable of surpassing the typical 10% enhancement range due to it.
In simpler terms, DLSS 4 showcases the potential of artificial intelligence in enhancing graphics card performance. Unlike its predecessors that inserted an extra AI-generated frame between your rendered frames to increase frame rate, Multi-Frame Generation technology used in DLSS 4 can insert multiple such frames. This makes a significant impact on our testing results.
At a 4K resolution and with all ray tracing features activated, upgrading from no frame generation to 4 times Frame Generation on the GeForce RTX 5080 makes a colossal difference. In every instance, the gameplay that was previously deemed “unplayable” due to frame rates below 30FPS became stable and smooth, even surpassing the potential offered by 2x Frame Generation (DLSS 3) in high-frame-rate gaming. Essentially, this leap in performance is akin to what one might anticipate from the next generation of graphics cards, but it’s not marketed as such.
Consider the game “Cyberpunk 2077”, a popular choice among high-end PC gamers. When running at maximum settings and 4K resolution, the GeForce RTX 5080 managed approximately 22 frames per second (FPS). However, by enabling Frame Generation at the “Quality” setting, the FPS increased to around 70 FPS. Further enhancements with 3x and 4x Frame Generation boosted the FPS to about 100 FPS and 113 FPS respectively.
In every location we tried out DLSS 4, whether it was Alan Wake 2, Star Wars Outlaws, or Hogwarts Legacy, the outcomes consistently demonstrated a substantial improvement at each level of Frame Generation. This boost was impressive enough to suggest that 4x Frame Generation is essentially technical wizardry and should be adopted by as many developers as feasible.
Alan Wake 2 Testing (Max Settings, 4K Resolution, Ray Tracing On)
- No Frame Generation: 29 FPS
- 2x Frame Generation – Quality Setting: 84 FPS
- 3x Frame Generation – Quality Setting: 120 FPS
- 4x Frame Generation – Quality Setting: 142 FPS
Cyberpunk 2077 Testing (Max Settings, 4K Resolution, Ray Tracing On)
- No Frame Generation: 22 FPS
- 2x Frame Generation – Quality Setting: 70 FPS
- 3x Frame Generation – Quality Setting: 100 FPS
- 4x Frame Generation – Quality Setting: 113 FPS
Star Wars Outlaws (Max Settings, 4K Resolution, Ray Tracing On)
- No Frame Generation: 14 FPS
- 2x Frame Generation – Quality Setting: 65 FPS
- 3x Frame Generation – Quality Setting: 94 FPS
- 4x Frame Generation – Quality Setting: 115 FPS
Hogwarts Legacy Open World (Max Settings, 4K Resolution, Ray Tracing On)
- No Frame Generation: 32 FPS
- 2x Frame Generation – Quality Setting: 67 FPS
- 3x Frame Generation – Quality Setting: 99 FPS
- 4x Frame Generation – Quality Setting: 124 FPS
3D Mark Benchmark Results
- Steel Nomad: 8,308
- Port Royal: 22,252
- Time Spy Extreme: 15,432
The game underwent testing with a setup that included an AMD Ryzen 7950X processor, 64GB of top-tier Dominator Titanium DDR5 memory, a Samsung 980 PRO solid-state drive, and a powerful 1300W power supply.
Or more concisely:
The game was tested on a configuration sporting an AMD Ryzen 7950X CPU, 64GB of elite Dominator Titanium DDR5 RAM, a Samsung 980 PRO SSD, and a potent 1300W PSU.
Speaking as a fan, I’m thrilled about the GeForce RTX 5080’s focus on efficiency, which is evident in its reduced VRAM usage during Frame Generation compared to previous models. Nvidia has also optimized the drivers of the 40-series for efficiency, but the 5080 stands out as less power-consuming overall. In my tests, it barely crossed the 65-degree Celsius mark even under heavy load, and it’s impressively quiet too. Despite having a Total Power Draw (TDP) of 360 watts, which is slightly higher than the 4080’s 320 watts, it’s not by a significant margin. Compared to the older models like the xx90s, upgrading your Power Supply isn’t as urgent a need with this new addition.
As we enter a fresh era of graphics cards, many gamers anticipate improvements over the previous generation, and indeed, the GeForce RTX 5080 delivers in some aspects. However, it might disappoint some that it doesn’t surpass the 4090 in all areas. Nevertheless, there are numerous compelling reasons to be thrilled about the GeForce RTX 5080, particularly for those who are significantly behind multiple generations or using a lower-end card such as a xx70 series. Upgrading to the RTX 5080 could significantly enhance your gaming experience in these scenarios.
It’s noteworthy that the GeForce RTX 5080 and the entire 50-series lineup come with some intriguing developments for content creation, particularly in Broadcast Voice and webcam presentations. However, we’ll delve deeper into that topic in a future article.
The standout feature of the GeForce RTX 5080 is Multi-Frame Generation, which is truly remarkable and a major reason for its appeal. This technology significantly and unexpectedly enhances game performance. Already awe-inspiring, Frame Generation is becoming more widespread, and now with DLSS 4, games are poised to make groundbreaking strides. While the AI-generated aspect may not resonate with everyone, I haven’t noticed any noticeable drop in visual quality or smoothness. In cases where a game hasn’t integrated DLSS 4 yet, the Nvidia app provides an override feature that gives you the performance boost regardless.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 Review: Final Thoughts
I’m really taken with the design of the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 – from its sleek looks to its compact build. Although the performance boost isn’t as dramatic as we’re accustomed to, Multi-Frame Generation is a hidden feature that provides a noticeable improvement over the last generation. At $999 and assuming you can manage to find one, the RTX 5080 Founder’s Edition offers an outstanding glimpse into what PC gaming enthusiasts can expect in the future and showcases some remarkable technology.
Right now, you can get your hands on the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 Founder’s Edition, priced at $999. For this review, Game Rant received the graphics card as a gift.
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2025-02-05 00:41