RTX 2080 vs RTX 2080 Ti
A family lineup gives you options, and options create homework. Here’s the homework for the RTX 2080 and the RTX 2080 Ti. If you only read one line, make it this: the RTX 2080 Ti takes 2 of 3 compared areas, and the gpu & performance gap is the one to look at first. And the price tags aren’t close: the RTX 2080 came in $300 below the RTX 2080 Ti at launch.
At a glance
- GPU & Performance RTX 2080 Ti wins
- Memory RTX 2080 Ti wins
- Power & Thermals RTX 2080 wins
- Price RTX 2080 wins
- GPU & Performance0.4
- Memory1.2
- Power & Thermals7.3
- GPU & Performance1.6
- Memory3.9
- Power & Thermals6.0
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 RTX 2080 Ti has 3 GB more VRAM
Few buyers will miss this one. The RTX 2080 Ti brings 11 GB to the table; the RTX 2080 brings 8 GB. Newer games tend to ask for more video memory, so the RTX 2080 Ti’s extra VRAM helps the card age better.
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The RTX 2080 Ti has 33% more theoretical FP32 compute
When it comes to fp32 compute, the RTX 2080 Ti wins comfortably with 13.4 TFLOPS against 10.1 TFLOPS. FP32 compute is a theoretical peak that combines shader count and clock speed, a quick way to size up raw power.
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The RTX 2080 Ti has 48% more shader units
It’s a lopsided result (4,352 for the RTX 2080 Ti, 2,944 for the RTX 2080) and one of the main reasons to choose between them. The RTX 2080 Ti’s extra shaders give it more raw muscle, although comparisons across different architectures aren’t one-to-one.
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The RTX 2080 has 35 W lower board power
The spread here is large: 215 W on the RTX 2080 versus 250 W on the RTX 2080 Ti. Expect to notice it. The RTX 2080 draws less power, which makes it easier to cool in compact cases.
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The RTX 2080 Ti has 38% more memory bandwidth
Of all the specs we compared, this is one where the RTX 2080 Ti makes its strongest case: 616 GB/s against 448 GB/s. The RTX 2080 Ti has more bandwidth to work with, helping it hold up in memory-heavy games.
Design & Size
- RTX 2080 10.51 in × 2 slots
- RTX 2080 Ti 10.51 in × 2 slots
Their dimensions are close enough that size should be one of the last things you weigh.
Size & Connectivity
| Spec | RTX 2080 | RTX 2080 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Reference card length | 10.51 in | 10.51 in |
| Slot width | 2 slots | 2 slots |
| Display outputs | 3x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1x HDMI 2.0b, 1x USB-C (VirtualLink) | 3x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1x HDMI 2.0b, 1x USB-C (VirtualLink) |
GPU & Performance
RTX 2080 Ti leads
This section belongs to the RTX 2080 Ti. In gpu & performance, it leads the RTX 2080 by a margin that’s hard to ignore. On the RTX 2080 Ti, you get 33% more theoretical FP32 compute. The RTX 2080 Ti has more theoretical compute, which often, but not always, translates into higher frame rates. Choose the RTX 2080 and you get an 11% higher boost clock. Weighing only gpu & performance, the RTX 2080 Ti comes out ahead.
FP32 compute
RTX 2080: 10.1 TFLOPS RTX 2080 Ti: 13.4 TFLOPS Architectures use their compute differently, so treat the gap as a guide and look at game benchmarks for the details.
Shader units
RTX 2080: 2,944 RTX 2080 Ti: 4,352 Shader units do most of the heavy lifting in games, so more of them usually means more frames per second within the same architecture.
Memory
RTX 2080 Ti leads
Look at the memory table and one name keeps coming out on top: the RTX 2080 Ti. The RTX 2080 Ti takes this one with 3 GB more VRAM. More VRAM lets the card hold higher-resolution textures and bigger scenes without stutter. If memory is your priority, the RTX 2080 Ti is the card to pick.
VRAM
RTX 2080: 8 GB RTX 2080 Ti: 11 GB At high resolutions or with texture packs, running out of VRAM can hurt more than a small speed gap.
Memory bandwidth
RTX 2080: 448 GB/s RTX 2080 Ti: 616 GB/s Bandwidth needs vary by architecture, so compare it alongside VRAM and cache rather than on its own.
Features
Here the spec sheet speaks in model names and types. Compare the RTX 2080 and the RTX 2080 Ti row by row in the table below.
Power & Thermals
RTX 2080 leads
The RTX 2080 dominates the power & thermals section, and the gaps are large enough to matter in daily use. The RTX 2080 answers with 35 W lower board power. Higher board power often comes with higher performance, so the RTX 2080 Ti’s appetite may be part of the price of its speed. For power & thermals, the RTX 2080 is the one to beat.
Total board power
RTX 2080: 215 W RTX 2080 Ti: 250 W Lower board power means less heat, quieter cooling and a smaller impact on your electricity bill.
Full Specifications
GPU & Performance
| Spec | RTX 2080 | RTX 2080 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Turing | Turing |
| GPU die | TU104 | TU102 |
| Process | TSMC 12nm FFN | TSMC 12nm FFN |
| Shader units | 2,944 | 4,352 (winner) Fewest shader units |
| Ray tracing units | 46 | 68 (winner) Fewest ray tracing units |
| Base clock | 1,515 MHz (winner) | 1,350 MHz Lowest base clock |
| Boost clock | 1,710 MHz (winner) | 1,545 MHz Lowest boost clock |
| FP32 computeTheoretical peak; AMD counts dual-issue, so compare within a brand only | 10.1 TFLOPS | 13.4 TFLOPS (winner) Least compute in class |
Memory
| Spec | RTX 2080 | RTX 2080 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM | 8 GB | 11 GB (winner) Least VRAM in class |
| Memory type | GDDR6 | GDDR6 |
| Memory bus | 256-bit | 352-bit (winner) |
| Memory bandwidth | 448 GB/s | 616 GB/s (winner) Least memory bandwidth |
Features
| Spec | RTX 2080 | RTX 2080 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling | DLSS Super Resolution | DLSS Super Resolution |
| Frame generation | No DLSS Frame Generation | No DLSS Frame Generation |
| PCIe interface | PCIe 3.0 x16 | PCIe 3.0 x16 |
Power & Thermals
| Spec | RTX 2080 | RTX 2080 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Total board power | 215 W (winner) | 250 W Lowest power draw in class |
| Recommended PSU | 650 W | 650 W Smallest PSU requirement |
| Power connector | 1x 8-pin + 1x 6-pin | 2x 8-pin |
Size & Connectivity
| Spec | RTX 2080 | RTX 2080 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Reference card length | 10.51 in | 10.51 in |
| Slot width | 2 slots | 2 slots |
| Display outputs | 3x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1x HDMI 2.0b, 1x USB-C (VirtualLink) | 3x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1x HDMI 2.0b, 1x USB-C (VirtualLink) |
Price
| Spec | RTX 2080 | RTX 2080 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price (MSRP) | $699 (winner) | $999 |
“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
You pay $300 extra for the RTX 2080 Ti at launch prices, a difference of 43%. If $300 isn’t a stretch, the RTX 2080 Ti gives you 3 GB more VRAM and 33% more theoretical FP32 compute.
Launch prices in the US as of September 2018; street prices move, so check before you buy.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the RTX 2080 if…
- you care about your power bill and a quieter case (215 W vs 250 W)
- you care about peak clock speed (1,710 MHz vs 1,545 MHz boost)
- you want the higher guaranteed base clock (1,515 MHz vs 1,350 MHz)
- you want the lower price and can live with the trade-offs ($300 less)
Choose the RTX 2080 Ti if…
- you play at high resolutions with high-quality textures (11 GB vs 8 GB VRAM)
- you run compute-heavy work alongside gaming (13.4 TFLOPS vs 10.1 TFLOPS FP32)
- you want more shader units working on every frame (4,352 vs 2,944)
- you game at high resolutions where bandwidth matters (616 GB/s vs 448 GB/s)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the RTX 2080 or the RTX 2080 Ti?
For most people, the RTX 2080 Ti is the stronger choice, unless you care more about 35 W lower board power than anything else.
Which is larger, the RTX 2080 or the RTX 2080 Ti?
They’re practically the same size. The difference between the RTX 2080 and the RTX 2080 Ti is too small to matter.
Which is faster, the RTX 2080 or the RTX 2080 Ti?
On paper, the RTX 2080 Ti is the stronger performer, with 33% more theoretical FP32 compute and 48% more shader units.
Is the RTX 2080 cheaper than the RTX 2080 Ti?
The RTX 2080 is the cheaper option, launching at $300 less than the RTX 2080 Ti (launch prices as of September 2018).
Executive Summary
When a brand offers the RTX 2080 and the RTX 2080 Ti side by side, I always ask what you give up by picking one over the other. The RTX 2080 Ti earns my vote first and foremost with 3 GB more VRAM. I also like that the RTX 2080 Ti brings 33% more theoretical FP32 compute. The RTX 2080’s strongest argument is 35 W lower board power.
In my head, the RTX 2080 is the power & thermals pick and the RTX 2080 Ti is the gpu & performance pick.
My pick: the RTX 2080 Ti, though the RTX 2080 makes sense if you’d rather have 35 W lower board power on the RTX 2080.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.