In this guide, we’ve rated and compared a handful of the best RTX 3080 graphics cards currently available to help you choose the right option for your needs and budget.
After the RTX 3090 and the RTX 3080 Ti, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 is next-best-performing graphics card from the NVIDIA 3000 series. When it was unveiled in September 2020, the RTX 3080 impressed reviewers and gamers alike with its multi-generational leap in performance. NVIDIA claimed the RTX 3080 had up to 2-times the performance of the previous generation’s RTX 2080—and it delivered.
Of course, with the release of NVIDIA’s new 4000 series GPUs, the RTX 3080 doesn’t quite have the same pull as it did a year ago. However, there still can be a case to be made for choosing the RTX 3080 as it is still incredibly powerful and its price is still much lower than the RTX 4080.
Also Read:
- Best RTX 4080 Graphics Cards Right Now
- RTX 4080 vs 4090: Is NVIDIA’s Fastest GPU Worth the Extra Cost?
- RTX 4070 Ti vs 4080: Which NVIDIA 40-Series GPU is Best?
So, if you’re looking to get an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080, in this post, we’ve highlighted four of the best RTX 3080 cards currently available.
NOTE: For a prebuilt gaming PC option, check out our recommendations for the best RTX 3080 prebuilt gaming PCs.
Table of Contents
– Best RTX 3080 Graphics Cards
1. ASUS ROG Strix RTX 3080 OC (Top Pick)
2. MSI RTX 3080 SUPRIM X 10G (Runner-Up)
A Quick Look at the Best RTX 3080 Video Cards
Below is a table of our selections for the best RTX 3080 graphics cards currently available.
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|
NAME | SPECS | RATING | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
TOP PICK
|
 |
ASUS ROG Strix OC |
|
/10 | |
|
RUNNER-UP
|
 |
MSI SUPRIM X 10G |
|
/10 | |
|
CHEAPEST
|
 |
ZOTAC Trinity |
|
/10 | |
|
w/AIO
|
 |
MSI SEA HAWK X 10G LHR |
|
/10 |
*If you want to read our full overview on each of the RTX 3080 graphics cards listed above, click on the “Read Review »” and you’ll be taken to our write-up on it.
1. ASUS ROG Strix RTX 3080 OC
The top RTX 3080 video card overall
- 1935 MHz Clock Speed
- 10GB GDDR6 VRAM
- Triple Fan Cooling
- 12.5-inches Long
ASUS’s ROG Strix line of graphics cards offers great value and exceptional performance for many graphics chips—and their RTX 3080 OC is no exception. The ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 3080 OC is our top pick as it’s one of the most powerful RTX 3080s on the market, while still offering a good value point.
Packing in 8704 CUDA cores and 10GB of 320-bit GDDR6X VRAM, the ROG Strix RTX 3080 OC is clocked to a Boost Clock of 1935MHz in OC mode.
Also Read: GDDR5 vs GDDR6: What’s the Difference?
For its air cooler, ASUS has opted for their triple axial-tech fan design—configured for maximum air-cooling performance. The card’s 2.9 slot design increases the surface area available for conduction, affording the GPU even more thermal headroom. This is paired with a metal backplate for added protection and more cooling surface area.
As mentioned prior, the ROG Strix comes with a stock overclock, but great cooling allows for great overclocking headroom. ASUS’s GPU Tweak II utility is perfect for performance tweaking, thermal controls and even more.
So how does it perform? In the FP32 single-precision benchmark, the ASUS ROG STRIX RTX 3080 OC delivers a theoretical performance of 33.69 TFLOPS. According to GPU Monkey’s testing, this card performs an average of 110 FPS Battlefield 5’s 4K benchmark and 83 FPS in Shadow of the Tomb Raider 4K benchmark.
The ASUS ROG STRIX RTX 3080 OC is an impressive card, serving up some excellent performance to any gamer looking for a mean and competent gaming workhorse.
2. MSI RTX 3080 SUPRIM X 10G
Runner-up pick for the best RTX 3080
- 1920 MHz Clock Speed
- 10GB GDDR6 VRAM
- Triple Fan Cooling
- 13.2-inches Long
Our runner-up is the MSI GeForce RTX 3080 SUPRIM X. You’ll see in the benchmark referenced below that it performs very similarly to the ROG STRIX, although falls short by a few marks. It is still, however, a wildly powerful card that will deliver an impeccable gaming experience.
The SUPRIM X’s RTX 3080 chip is overclocked to a whopping 1920 MHz and packs in the standard 10GB of 320-bit GDDR6X VRAM.
Keeping this card cool is MSI’s Tri Frozer 2S air cooler. This packs in three TORX Fan 4.0 and a sophisticated heatsink for great cooling performance and quiet operation. When idle and during non-intensive tasks, the fans will completely stop for a completely silent computing experience.
The MSI GeForce RTX 3080 SUPRIM X also features addressable RGB accents on the side of the fans and a beautiful RGB strip on the side of the card. Moreover, its dual BIOS gives you the choice to prioritize for full performance in GAMING mode or low noise in SILENT mode.
Performance is top-notch too. In the FP32 single-precision benchmark, the MSI GeForce RTX 3080 SUPRIM X delivers a theoretical performance of 31.86 TFLOPS.
According to GPU Monkey, this card churns out an average of 107 FPS in Battlefield 5’s 4K benchmark. In Shadow of the Tomb Raider, the SUPRIM X delivers an average of 79 FPS in the 4K benchmark.
Whilst the MSI GeForce RTX 3080 SUPRIM X 10G is a notch below our top pick—the ROG Strix—it is still a fantastic card. If you’re able to get your hands on MSI’s premier RTX 3080 aftermarket card, you’ll have an excellent gaming experience.
3. ZOTAC RTX 3080 Trinity
One of the more affordable RTX 3080s
- 1710 MHz Clock Speed
- 10GB GDDR6 VRAM
- Triple Fan Cooling
- 12.5-inches Long
Whilst aftermarket cards are, on the whole, usually more expensive than the original reference RTX 3080—also known as the ‘Founders Edition’—some lines of third-party GPUs can be comparatively inexpensive.
The ZOTAC Trinity line is one of those ranges—offering great performance with a stock overclock at a reasonable price point. This card reaches a boost clock of 1710 MHz and packs in 8704 CUDA cores and 10GB of 320-bit GDDR6X VRAM.
Also Read: How Much VRAM Do I Need for Gaming?
The ZOTAC Trinity’s cooler is a tad less complex than other cards, but its triple-fan air cooler alongside a new and improved heat pipe layout keeps the GPU plenty cool during gaming sessions. It also features Spectra 2.0 addressable RGB lighting on the side of the card. You can personalize these lighting routines through ZOTAC’s FireStorm desktop program.
How does the ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 3080 Trinity perform? In the FP32 single-precision benchmark, this card delivers a theoretical performance of 29.77 TFLOPS. This is on par with the reference RTX 3080 Founders Edition.
In their testing, GPU Monkey found this card runs at an average of 104 FPS in Battlefield 5’s 4K benchmark. In Shadow of the Tomb Raider, the ROG STRIX OG delivers an average of 77 FPS in the 4K benchmark.
If you’re looking to save a few bucks but still need the memory and power of the RTX 3080 chip, the ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 3080 Trinity is a brilliant choice. If you want to save some more money, try knocking down to the RTX 3070—which is still a prolific gaming performer its own right.
4. MSI RTX 3080 SEA HAWK X 10G LH
The top AIO-cooled RTX 3080
- 1785 MHz Clock Speed
- 10GB GDDR6 VRAM
- 240mm AIO Cooler
- 10.7-inches Long
For those who are looking for maximum performance and prefer a water-cooled AIO, the MSI GeForce RTX 3080 SEA HAWK X offers a great design and impressive specs.
The SEA HAWK features an expertly designed 240mm AIO cooler—with two 120mm TORX FAN 4.0 fans. The result is one of the coolest and most silent graphics cards available on the market. Adding to the cooling potential and certainly this card’s aesthetics, the brushed metal backplate also strengthens the card, reducing any potential GPU sagging.
The reduced footprint of the card afforded by the external radiator makes this card perfect for a small form factor build to rival the PS5 and XBOX Series X. It only takes two slots—with a width of 44m and a length of 271mm.
Under the hood, the RTX 3080 chip is clocked to a boost of 1785 MHz—alongside 8704 CUDA cores and 10GB of 320-bit GDDR6X VRAM.
This cooling and power results in impressive benchmarks. In the FP32 single-precision benchmark, the MSI GeForce RTX 3080 SEA HAWK X delivers a theoretical performance of 31.08 TFLOPS.
According to GPU Monkey, this card churns out an average of 106 FPS in Battlefield 5’s 4K benchmark. In Shadow of the Tomb Raider, the SUPRIM X delivers an average of 78 FPS in the 4K benchmark.
For those looking for a silent GPU or require a card that can fit in the confines of a small form factor case—the AIO in the MSI GeForce RTX 3080 SEA HAWK X makes this card an enticing option. Paired with its impressive performance improvements over the stock RTX 3080, the SEA HAWK X is a brilliant option for gamers and content creators alike.
Is an RTX 3080 Right for You?
With the release of the new 4000 series GPUs from NVIDIA, purchasing an older RTX 3080 might not be the route you want to take. However, with newer graphics cards coming with steep premiums, opting for a generation-old GPU like the RTX 3080 can be a better use of your money.
And, if you’re not up for building your own PC, you can check out our recommendations for the best RTX 3080 desktops here and our recommendations for the best RTX 3080 laptops here.
But if you want to build your own PC and you’re looking for high-end GPU performance, then the four RTX 3080 graphics cards listed above are worth considering.
