NVIDIA’s RTX 2080 graphics card marked a significant milestone for the company and its users, offering groundbreaking performance and features. But it begs the question: is it worth upgrading from the GTX 1080 Ti?
The RTX 2080 is a major step from the GTX 1080 Ti in raw performance. It boasts higher clock speeds, more CUDA cores, and better DLSS and ray tracing capabilities. What’s more, the RTX 2080 can be found for the same or lower cost than the GTX 1080, making it an easy decision for most.
We compare and rank these two cards based on their performance, features, pricing, and value for money to determine your best choice. So this is the GTX 1080 Ti Vs. RTX 2080 comparison you’ve been waiting for.
Is GTX 1080 Ti Better Than RTX 2080?
Regarding performance, there is no denying that the RTX 2080 (on Amazon) is an improvement from the GTX 1080 Ti (also on Amazon). In addition, the new Turing architecture offers a significant performance boost over the Pascal architecture.
On top of that, NVIDIA has included its new RTX cores to allow for real-time ray tracing, which adds a significant level of realism to games. This is a massive benefit for those looking to get the most out of their gaming experience.
Which Has Better Features?
First things first, the features. Both cards sport similar features necessary for delivering a great gaming experience. Here’s an overview of the two.
GTX 1080 Ti Specs:
- 11GB GDDR5X memory
- 3584 CUDA cores
- Pascal architecture
- 1x 6-pin + 1x 8-pin
- 250 Watt power consumption
RTX 2080 Specs:
- 8GB GDDR6 memory
- 2944 CUDA cores
- Turing architecture
- 1x 6-pin + 1x 8-pin
- 215 Watt power consumption
There is a clear difference in the amount of memory available to each GPU, with the 1080 Ti having 11GB versus 8GB for the RTX 2080. The RTX 2080 also has fewer Cores, but they are more advanced, thanks to its use of the Turing architecture.
While the 1080 Ti still offers some great features and is an excellent card for gaming, the RTX 2080 makes up for what it lacks in memory and core count with its faster clock speeds and real-time ray tracing capabilities (as we’ll see later on).
Which is More Expensive?
The RTX 2080 was significantly more expensive upon release than the GTX 1080 Ti. It was impossible to find one under $1000, while the GTX 1080 Ti retailed for just below $700.
Nearly five years later and the landscape has changed dramatically. Both cards are available for around the same price point. So, if the price is a deal breaker, none of these cards will disappoint.
As expected, graphic cards don’t come cheap. Most of them are in the $500-$1000 bracket.
Which Will Last Longer?
The GTX 1080 Ti came out almost two years before the RTX 2080 and has been on the market for six years. So while both cards are still great performers, the RTX 2080 is more future-proof.
The Turing architecture offers more potential and is better suited for the latest games and upcoming titles.
However, both cards offer fantastic performance and should last a few years if you take care of them. They are both still great for gaming, despite their age.
Which Has More Compatible Games?
Every gamer wants to play the latest games, and both GPUs handle them easily. In addition, the RTX 2080 has a few extra features, such as Ray Tracing and DLSS, which can give it a slight performance boost in compatible games.
It also supports more form factors for Virtual Reality headsets, making it a perfect choice for VR gamers. Both cards will work with all the latest titles, but you may have to sacrifice image quality and resolution to get the most out of the GTX 1080 Ti.
Which Has Better DLSS and Ray Tracing Capabilities?
DLSS is a new feature available on the RTX 2080, and it stands for Deep Learning Super Sampling. This technology uses Artificial Intelligence to render higher-quality images while using less power and reducing the load on your GPU.
Ray Tracing is another RTX 2080 feature that can add a lot of realism to the lighting in compatible games. It accurately simulates how light reflects off of objects for realistic shadows and lighting.
These two areas show significant differences between the GTX 1080 Ti and RTX 2080. RTX 2080 features dedicated RT and sensor cores that make it much more efficient at rendering games with ray tracing and DLSS, which is impossible with the 1080 Ti.
Theoretically, the GTX 1080 can perform ray tracing, but the result won’t be anything playable. The same goes for DLSS. Nevertheless, the result is a smooth and immersive gaming experience.
Not all titles support DLSS and ray tracing. But here are a few that do:
- Amid Evil
- A Plague Tale: Requiem
- Bright Memory
- Battlefield 2042
- Battlefield V
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019)
- Call Of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
- Crysis Remastered
- Cyberpunk 2077
- Crysis Remastered Trilogy
- Deliver Us The Moon
- Dying Light 2
- Fortnite
- Jurassic World Evolution 2
- Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy
- Minecraft
- Resident Evil Village
These are only a handful of games that support ray tracing and DLSS. The list is ever-growing so you can expect more games here. If you’re looking for better performance in ray tracing and DLSS-enabled games, then the RTX 2080 is your best bet.
Which Offers Better Value for Money?
The RTX 2080 and GTX 1080 Ti offer great value for money; there is no doubt about that. However, 1080 Ti has better memory bandwidth, while RTX 2080 offers better future-proofing and ray-tracing capabilities.
Given that both are in the same price bracket, it all comes down to what you plan on using the card for. If you want something that can easily handle ray tracing and DLSS, then the RTX 2080 is your best bet.
However, if you don’t plan on using those features and are simply in for something to last you a few years, then the GTX 1080 Ti is still a viable option. It all comes down to what your needs and wants are.
A personal recommendation would be to go for the RTX 2080, as it offers better future proofing and performance. Ray tracing and DLSS are dealmakers for many games, and you’ll get more out of them.
GTX 1080 Ti vs. RTX 3080
If you thought the RTX 2080 was a great card in its time, then the RTX 3080 is a beast. Launched a few years after the RTX 2080, this card offers significantly more performance and can easily handle ray tracing, DLSS, and VR.
A straightforward comparison between the 1080 Ti and RTX 3080 shows what difference four years can make in the GPU world. While the GTX 1080 Ti is still a decent card, it may not be able to compete with the latest titles.
But better is a relative term, and choices differ among people. So which one is your favorite?