Nvidia’s RTX 4090 Versus The RTX 4080 SUPER

Nvidia's RTX 4090 Versus The RTX 4080 SUPER

As a tech enthusiast with decades of gaming under my belt, I must say that the release of the RTX 4080 SUPER has been a breath of fresh air amidst the chaos of the current GPU market. Unlike previous launches where scalping and price gouging were rampant, the RTX 4080 SUPER seems to have bucked the trend and offered much better availability, even surpassing that of its big brother, the RTX 4090.


In the high-end GPU market, Nvidia is dominating with exceptional performance and realism, largely due to the superior capabilities of its RTX 4090 GPU. This supremacy extends further as Nvidia continues to excel with its innovative DLSS technology, pioneering Ray Tracing effects across numerous games. At the $1000 price point, no competitor has managed to match the hardware performance that Nvidia offers yet.

As a dedicated gamer, I can confidently say that Nvidia’s RTX 4090 and the more budget-friendly RTX 4080 have been my go-to choices in recent times. The RTX 4090, with its impressive performance upgrades, has maintained a strong lead. But for those who prefer a lighter financial investment, the RTX 4080 is an excellent alternative.

Which RTX 4080 SUPER Or RTX 4090 SUPER Should One Get In 2024?

At Game Rant, our team provides two frequently revised guides tailored for individuals seeking to buy either the Nvidia RTX 4090 or its second-best option, the upgraded RTX 4080 model.

  • The Best RTX 4080 SUPER GPUs in 2024
  • The Best RTX 4090 GPUs

The Best Overall RTX 4080 SUPER and RTX 4090 SKUs

The ASUS TUF GeForce RTX 4090 OG OC Edition is Game Rant’s preferred choice due to its impressive performance, which nearly matches that of its pricier Strix OC sibling, all while being offered at a more affordable price than most other factory-overclocked RTX 4090 models available in the market.

If you’re a gamer considering purchasing the RTX 4080 SUPER, the GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER AERO OC 16G could be an outstanding choice for you. This graphics card comes with a factory overclock, boasts a stylish white design, and features a sizeable cooler that effectively manages its temperatures. Plus, it’s priced at only $100 more than the Founders Edition MSRP on Amazon at the time of writing, making it an attractive option currently.

The Best Performance-Centric RTX 4080 SUPER and RTX 4090 SKUs

If you’re looking for the swiftest versions of the RTX 4080 SUPER or RTX 4090 graphics cards, there are numerous choices out there. However, two top contenders at present are the ASUS ROG Strix OC series and MSI Suprim X series. These models often appear on Game Rant’s suggestions list.

The ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER OC boasts ASUS’s cutting-edge vapor chamber cooler, which features three large fans and a design that delivers exceptional heat dissipation, an eye-catching look, and ample room for overclocking. This makes it a strong contender, if not the fastest RTX 4080 SUPER models available on the market today.

Similarly, although the Strix OC SKU of the RTX 4090 is another top choice, it comes with a significantly higher price compared to other RTX 4090 models. In contrast, the MSI Suprim Liquid X GeForce RTX 4090 offers comparable performance at a more budget-friendly cost, saving you up to $400-$500 that you might spend on other alternatives delivering similar results.

Why Is The RTX 4080 SUPER A Game Changer?

Many users found that although the RTX 4080 provided a substantial performance increase over the RTX 3090/3090 TI, it fell short when compared to the RTX 4090 in terms of VRAM and overall value for money. Additionally, they felt that the RTX 4090 was a more promising choice for future-proofing next-generation needs due to its similar performance and higher VRAM capacity.

When Price Is A Major Factor

A significant portion of the discussion revolved around the cost of the RTX 4080, particularly the Founder’s Edition which was priced at $1200. The majority of its alternative versions were trading for a much higher price increase. Contrastingly, the RTX 4090 appeared to be a more reasonable option, with an asking price of $1600 for the Founder’s Edition, and aftermarket versions that often cost at least $200 over this amount.

After their release, both the RTX 4090 and 4080 graphics cards were hard to come by at their original prices. However, those seeking the RTX 4080 experienced less frustration, as it became more readily available on store shelves over time. In contrast, the RTX 4090 remained scarce and difficult to find.

Enter The RTX 4080 SUPER: The New Penultimate King

At the beginning of this year, Nvidia unveiled the RTX 4080 SUPER with the intention of addressing certain problems. The RTX 4080 SUPER received an enhancement in CUDA cores, a higher boost clock speed that allows AIBs to push it even more in their overclocked models, and a parallel 5% rise in stream processors and RT cores, causing it to perform slightly better than the RTX 4080 across various gaming benchmarks.

Additionally, it experienced a significant reduction in price by $200, which greatly appealed to gamers. This move by Nvidia aimed to attract those hesitant between the RTX 4070 Ti and the RTX 4080, as well as those considering AMD’s less expensive alternative under $1000, prior to the launch of the RTX 4080S.

This also kicked off an ongoing debate about what GPU to get for gamers, enthusiasts, and productivity users. The gap between Nvidia’s best GPUs has ballooned from $400 to $600, the performance bump notwithstanding.

How Does The RTX 4080 SUPER Fare Versus The RTX 4090 In 2024?

Individuals considering an upgrade between the RTX 4080 SUPER and the RTX 4090 might be curious about their relative performance. It’s clear that the RTX 4090 holds the top position, but the question remains whether the extra investment in the RTX 4090 justifies the cost when compared to the RTX 4080 SUPER.

Nvidia’s RTX 4080 Super Versus The RTX 4090: Head To Head

RTX Version RTX 4080 RTX 4080 SUPER RTX 4090
GPU Codename AD103 AD103 AD102
CUDA Cores 9728 10240 16384
Stream Processors 76 80 128
RT Cores 76 80 128
Memory 16GB GDDR6X, 256 Bit 16GB GDDR6X, 256 Bit 24GB GDDR6X, 384 Bit
TDP 320W 320W 450W
Clock Speed (Base/Boost) 2210 MHz/2510 MHz 2210 MHz/2550 MHz 2230 MHz/2520 MHz
Nvidia DLSS Support Version 3, backward compatible
PCI-E Support Gen 4.0, backward compatible
Maximum Resolution/Refresh Rate 4K at 240Hz or 8K at 60Hz with DSC, HDR
Launch Month November 2022 January 2024 November 2022
Retail MSRP $1199 $999 $1599
Current Market Price* X $950-1100 $1700-1900

If you’re interested in understanding how the RTX 4080 SUPER, the RTX 4080, and the RTX 4090 stack up against each other, the chart provided offers a clear comparison. This chart highlights the similarities between the RTX 4080 and the RTX 4080 SUPER, as well as the RTX 4090’s hardware superiority. Additionally, it shows the price premium that the RTX 4090 currently holds in August 2024.

The RTX 4080 SUPER vs The RTX 4090: Performance Revisited

The Nvidia RTX 4090 maintains its dominance in terms of performance due to an impressive 60% boost in CUDA core numbers, accompanied by faster, broader, and larger GDDR6X memory. This results in a more forward-looking system, outperforming the RTX 4080 SUPER and the previous RTX 4080 model significantly.

As an excited enthusiast, I’m thrilled about this upgrade! It boasts a significant 60% enhancement in RT cores, stream processors (SMs), and commands a whopping 450W max TDP compared to the RTX 4080 SUPER’s 320W. In essence, these upgrades translate to approximately a 30% performance boost over the RTX 4080 SUPER. This is a substantial improvement, especially given that GPUs tend to get pricier as we aim for the high-end, premium enthusiast market.

Nvidia’s RTX 4080 SUPER: Enthusiast Grade Value For Money King?

The RTX 4080 SUPER has gained popularity among budget-conscious gamers seeking a high-end next-generation GPU without breaking the bank on the $1500+ price tag of the RTX 4090. It offers sufficient power for an upgrade, yet leaves room in the budget to invest in other hardware upgrades like a new CPU, motherboard, or even RAM and SSD enhancements.

In comparison, the RTX 4090’s performance is significantly inferior to a potentially much stronger Ada Lovelace-based GPU. Notably, this larger, more powerful GPU overshadows the RTX 4090 in most side-by-side benchmark tests. Fortunately, the competition finds itself in a similar predicament.

AMD’s RX 7900XTX and 7900XT GPUs are not in competition with Nvidia’s RTX 4090 because AMD doesn’t think there’s a market for graphics cards priced under $1500. However, the high demand for the RTX 4090 shows this isn’t true for Nvidia. This essentially means that the RTX 4080 SUPER is currently far superior to other GPUs, except for the RTX 4090, and will likely remain a good upgrade choice and a solid foundation for future builds.

Finding The RTX 4080 SUPER: Availability Is King

Contrary to the initial releases of the RTX 4090 and RTX 4080, which were marred by widespread scalping and excessive pricing from retailers, third-party sellers, and individuals, the RTX 4080 SUPER has generally had improved availability. In fact, its availability might even surpass that of the RTX 4090 for certain SKUs, although some still command prices above their manufacturer suggested retail prices (MSRPs).

Users can grab a deal that typically saves them between $50 and $100 or even more, or they can opt for a higher-end version if they prefer. However, budget-friendly RTX 4090 versions exist which are close to the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), but it remains uncommon for a Founder’s Edition of the RTX 4090 to drop below MSRP, unlike the RTX 4080 SUPER. The latter frequently falls to around $950 across various models.

The RTX 4080 SUPER is more affordable than the RTX 4090 for gamers seeking a new GPU, considering both price and ease of acquisition.

No Bad Enthusiast-Grade Choices This Generation

Despite some valid concerns about the cost of the latest RTX 4000 series (and to a smaller extent, AMD’s RX 7000 series) GPUs, the RTX 4090 and RTX 4080 SUPER graphics cards are capable of delivering high-quality 4K gaming experiences at playable frame rates. This is primarily due to their utilization of advanced technologies like Nvidia’s DLSS3/3.5 and upscalers, which enhance game performance while allowing for Ray Tracing capabilities.

The RTX 4090 outperforms other GPUs on the market significantly, a fact that is mirrored in its cost. Although expensive, it can be justified given that it’s currently the fastest GPU for gaming. Additionally, many users benefit from its advanced AI and workstation applications, making it a valuable tool not just for gamers, but also creators.

In simpler terms, the RTX 4080 SUPER addresses the issues of cost and scarcity that were associated with the original RTX 4080 and is strategically placed to attract those seeking a mid-range upgrade from a high-end RTX 3000 series GPU in the year 2024.

FAQ

Q: Do I Need A New PSU For An RTX 4090?

The latest Nvidia RTX 4090 (and other high-end GPUs in the RTX 4000 series) use a newer 12VHPWR connector. However, it can still function with some older power supplies if they can supply the necessary power for the GPU, which begins at 850W and increases for overclocked or custom-cooled versions made by different manufacturers (AIB).

If you’re setting up a fresh system by purchasing a new Power Supply Unit (PSU) or constructing a brand-new PC, opting for an ATX 3.0 PSU equipped with the innovative 12VHPWR connector will streamline your cable organization and management process, especially when it comes to the RTX 4090 graphics card.

Q: How many more CUDA Cores Does The RTX 4090 Have Versus The RTX 4080 SUPER?

The Nvidia RTX 4090 boasts an impressive 16,384 CUDA cores compared to the RTX 4080 SUPER’s 10,240, which translates to a significant 60% more power in terms of cores over its higher-tier sibling.

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2024-08-19 22:06