GTX 1080 vs RTX 2080
Brand loyalty only gets you halfway here: NVIDIA offers both the GTX 1080 and the RTX 2080, and they aren’t interchangeable. The GTX 1080 is up against it here: the RTX 2080 wins 2 of the 3 areas on our scorecard, with gpu & performance as its standout.
At a glance
- GPU & Performance RTX 2080 wins
- Memory RTX 2080 wins
- Power & Thermals GTX 1080 wins
- Price GTX 1080 wins
- GPU & Performance0.2
- Memory0.7
- Power & Thermals10.0
- GPU & Performance0.5
- Memory1.4
- Power & Thermals6.3
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The GTX 1080 has 35 W lower board power
Put simply, the GTX 1080 is far ahead here: 180 W compared with 215 W. Higher board power often comes with higher performance, so the RTX 2080’s appetite may be part of the price of its speed.
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The RTX 2080 has 15% more shader units
The RTX 2080’s 2,944 leaves the GTX 1080’s 2,560 well behind, so if this spec matters to you, the choice is easy. Treat shader count as a strong hint about performance tier, then check benchmarks for the games you actually play.
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The RTX 2080 has 40% more memory bandwidth
Not a close call. The RTX 2080 lists 448 GB/s and the GTX 1080 lists 320 GB/s. That’s a substantial gap. Bandwidth needs vary by architecture, so compare it alongside VRAM and cache rather than on its own.
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The RTX 2080 has 13% more theoretical FP32 compute
The RTX 2080 nudges ahead with 10.1 TFLOPS, while the GTX 1080 lists 8.9 TFLOPS. Architectures use their compute differently, so treat the gap as a guide and look at game benchmarks for the details.
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The GTX 1080 has a smaller 500 W PSU requirement
Among all the differences on this page, 500 W against 650 W is one of the most meaningful, and it favors the GTX 1080. With the GTX 1080, you’re more likely to keep your existing power supply, which can save real money.
Design & Size
- GTX 1080 10.51 in × 2 slots
- RTX 2080 10.51 in × 2 slots
The GTX 1080 and the RTX 2080 take up almost exactly the same space.
Size & Connectivity
| Spec | GTX 1080 | RTX 2080 |
|---|---|---|
| Reference card length | 10.51 in | 10.51 in |
| Slot width | 2 slots | 2 slots |
| Display outputs | 3x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x HDMI 2.0b, 1x DL-DVI | 3x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1x HDMI 2.0b, 1x USB-C (VirtualLink) |
GPU & Performance
RTX 2080 leads
When it comes to gpu & performance, the RTX 2080 is comfortably ahead. Point to the RTX 2080 for 15% more shader units. Shader units do most of the heavy lifting in games, so more of them usually means more frames per second within the same architecture. The GTX 1080 gives you. Anyone shopping mainly on gpu & performance should start with the RTX 2080.
Shader units
GTX 1080: 2,560 RTX 2080: 2,944 The RTX 2080’s extra shaders give it more raw muscle, although comparisons across different architectures aren’t one-to-one.
FP32 compute
GTX 1080: 8.9 TFLOPS RTX 2080: 10.1 TFLOPS FP32 compute is a theoretical peak that combines shader count and clock speed, a quick way to size up raw power.
Memory
RTX 2080 leads
For memory, the verdict is easy: the RTX 2080 leads, and not by a little. Choose the RTX 2080 and you get 40% more memory bandwidth. Memory bandwidth decides how quickly the GPU can feed itself with data, which matters most at 1440p and 4K. If this section decides it for you, choose the RTX 2080.
Memory bandwidth
GTX 1080: 320 GB/s RTX 2080: 448 GB/s The RTX 2080 has more bandwidth to work with, helping it hold up in memory-heavy games.
Features
The features data here comes as names and types, not scores. Check the table to see what each one uses.
Power & Thermals
GTX 1080 leads
No contest in power & thermals: the GTX 1080 is the stronger of the two. The GTX 1080 scores with 35 W lower board power. The GTX 1080 draws less power, which makes it easier to cool in compact cases. The power & thermals verdict goes to the GTX 1080.
Total board power
GTX 1080: 180 W RTX 2080: 215 W Lower board power means less heat, quieter cooling and a smaller impact on your electricity bill.
Recommended PSU
GTX 1080: 500 W RTX 2080: 650 W Recommendations include a safety margin for the rest of the system, so they’re a guide rather than a hard limit.
Full Specifications
GPU & Performance
| Spec | GTX 1080 | RTX 2080 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Pascal | Turing |
| GPU die | GP104 | TU104 |
| Process | TSMC 16nm FinFET | TSMC 12nm FFN |
| Shader units | 2,560 Fewest shader units | 2,944 (winner) |
| Ray tracing units | N/A (not specified) | 46 |
| Base clock | 1,607 MHz (winner) | 1,515 MHz |
| Boost clock | 1,733 MHz | 1,710 MHz |
| FP32 computeTheoretical peak; AMD counts dual-issue, so compare within a brand only | 8.9 TFLOPS Least compute in class | 10.1 TFLOPS (winner) |
Memory
| Spec | GTX 1080 | RTX 2080 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Memory type | GDDR5X | GDDR6 |
| Memory bus | 256-bit | 256-bit |
| Memory bandwidth | 320 GB/s Least memory bandwidth | 448 GB/s (winner) |
Features
| Spec | GTX 1080 | RTX 2080 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling | None (no DLSS) | DLSS Super Resolution |
| Frame generation | None | No DLSS Frame Generation |
| PCIe interface | PCIe 3.0 x16 | PCIe 3.0 x16 |
Power & Thermals
| Spec | GTX 1080 | RTX 2080 |
|---|---|---|
| Total board power | 180 W (winner) Lowest power draw in class | 215 W |
| Recommended PSU | 500 W (winner) Smallest PSU requirement | 650 W |
| Power connector | 1x 8-pin | 1x 8-pin + 1x 6-pin |
Size & Connectivity
| Spec | GTX 1080 | RTX 2080 |
|---|---|---|
| Reference card length | 10.51 in | 10.51 in |
| Slot width | 2 slots | 2 slots |
| Display outputs | 3x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x HDMI 2.0b, 1x DL-DVI | 3x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1x HDMI 2.0b, 1x USB-C (VirtualLink) |
Price
| Spec | GTX 1080 | RTX 2080 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price (MSRP) | $599 (winner) | $699 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
With just $100 between them at launch, the GTX 1080 and the RTX 2080 are priced as near equals. The value question is simple: are 15% more shader units and 40% more memory bandwidth worth $100 to you? If so, the RTX 2080 makes sense.
Launch prices in the US as of September 2018; street prices move, so check before you buy.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the GTX 1080 if…
- you want lower power draw and less heat (180 W vs 215 W board power)
- you’re building on a modest power supply (500 W vs 650 W)
- you want the higher guaranteed base clock (1,607 MHz vs 1,515 MHz)
- you don’t need the extras that cost $100 more
Choose the RTX 2080 if…
- you want more raw GPU hardware (2,944 vs 2,560 shader units)
- you game at high resolutions where bandwidth matters (448 GB/s vs 320 GB/s)
- you want more theoretical compute (10.1 TFLOPS vs 8.9 TFLOPS)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the GTX 1080 or the RTX 2080?
The RTX 2080 wins more of the areas we compared, so it’s the safer pick unless you need 35 W lower board power, which only the GTX 1080 offers.
Which is larger, the GTX 1080 or the RTX 2080?
Neither by much. The GTX 1080 and the RTX 2080 have nearly identical dimensions.
Does the GTX 1080 perform better than the RTX 2080?
The RTX 2080 should be the quicker of the two, with 15% more shader units and 13% more theoretical FP32 compute on its side.
Which costs less, the GTX 1080 or the RTX 2080?
Going by launch prices, the GTX 1080 costs $100 less than the RTX 2080. Prices as of September 2018; current offers may differ.
Executive Summary
Here’s my take on the GTX 1080 versus the RTX 2080, two models from one lineup. The biggest reason I lean toward the RTX 2080 is simple: it has 15% more shader units. Stack 40% more memory bandwidth on top of that, and the RTX 2080’s lead grows. Don’t write off the GTX 1080 entirely: it has 35 W lower board power.
Put simply, the GTX 1080 suits people who care about power & thermals, while the RTX 2080 suits people who put gpu & performance first.
My pick: the RTX 2080. I’d only go for the GTX 1080 if you care more about 35 W lower board power than anything else.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.