RTX 4080 Super vs RTX 5080
Here’s a family feud of sorts: the RTX 4080 Super against the RTX 5080, two models from the same lineup. The RTX 4080 Super is up against it here: the RTX 5080 wins 2 of the 3 areas on our scorecard, with gpu & performance as its standout.
At a glance
- GPU & Performance RTX 5080 wins
- Memory RTX 5080 wins
- Power & Thermals RTX 4080 Super wins
- Price Tie
- GPU & Performance8.0
- Memory3.1
- Power & Thermals4.1
- GPU & Performance8.9
- Memory5.3
- Power & Thermals0.0
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 5080 has 30% more memory bandwidth
Here the RTX 5080 pulls well ahead of the RTX 4080 Super, with 960 GB/s compared to 736 GB/s. The RTX 5080 has more bandwidth to work with, helping it hold up in memory-heavy games.
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The RTX 5080 has 7.9% more theoretical FP32 compute
Think of it as a tiebreaker rather than a deal-breaker: 56.3 TFLOPS for the RTX 5080, 52.2 TFLOPS for the RTX 4080 Super. 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 RTX 4080 Super has 40 W lower board power
On paper, the RTX 4080 Super is a touch ahead here, listing 320 W against 360 W. Lower board power means less heat, quieter cooling and a smaller impact on your electricity bill.
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The RTX 5080 has 5% more shader units
A modest but measurable lead goes to the RTX 5080: 10,752 compared with 10,240. The RTX 5080’s extra shaders give it more raw muscle, although comparisons across different architectures aren’t one-to-one.
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The RTX 4080 Super has
Numbers like 3 slots against 2 slots only tell you which is larger (here, the RTX 4080 Super), not which is better. Check your case and motherboard layout; slot width is a fit question, not a performance one.
Design & Size
- RTX 4080 Super 11.97 in × 3 slots
- RTX 5080 11.97 in × 2 slots
Expect the same physical presence from both; their dimensions are very close.
Size & Connectivity
| Spec | RTX 4080 Super | RTX 5080 |
|---|---|---|
| Reference card length | 11.97 in | 11.97 in |
| Slot width | 3 slots | 2 slots |
| Display outputs | 3x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1x HDMI 2.1 | 3x DisplayPort 2.1b, 1x HDMI 2.1b |
GPU & Performance
RTX 5080 leads
The gpu & performance numbers point firmly in one direction: toward the RTX 5080. The RTX 5080 makes its case with 7.9% more theoretical FP32 compute. The RTX 5080 has more theoretical compute, which often, but not always, translates into higher frame rates. If gpu & performance is your priority, the RTX 5080 is the card to pick.
FP32 compute
RTX 4080 Super: 52.2 TFLOPS RTX 5080: 56.3 TFLOPS FP32 compute is a theoretical peak that combines shader count and clock speed, a quick way to size up raw power.
Shader units
RTX 4080 Super: 10,240 RTX 5080: 10,752 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 5080 leads
For memory, the verdict is easy: the RTX 5080 leads, and not by a little. Here the RTX 5080 offers 30% more memory bandwidth. Memory bandwidth decides how quickly the GPU can feed itself with data, which matters most at 1440p and 4K. The memory verdict goes to the RTX 5080.
Memory bandwidth
RTX 4080 Super: 736 GB/s RTX 5080: 960 GB/s Bandwidth needs vary by architecture, so compare it alongside VRAM and cache rather than on its own.
Features
Names, not numbers: the features rows below show what each one is built with, and it’s worth reading them side by side.
Power & Thermals
RTX 4080 Super leads
If you’re keeping score, the power & thermals point goes narrowly to the RTX 4080 Super. The RTX 4080 Super scores with 40 W lower board power. The RTX 4080 Super draws less power, which makes it easier to cool in compact cases. In short, the RTX 4080 Super is the better-equipped card for power & thermals.
Total board power
RTX 4080 Super: 320 W RTX 5080: 360 W Higher board power often comes with higher performance, so the RTX 5080’s appetite may be part of the price of its speed.
Recommended PSU
RTX 4080 Super: 750 W RTX 5080: 850 W With the RTX 4080 Super, you’re more likely to keep your existing power supply, which can save real money.
Full Specifications
GPU & Performance
| Spec | RTX 4080 Super | RTX 5080 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Ada Lovelace | Blackwell |
| GPU die | AD103 | GB203 |
| Process | TSMC 4N | TSMC 4N |
| Shader units | 10,240 | 10,752 (winner) Most shader units |
| Ray tracing units | 80 | 84 (winner) |
| Base clock | 2,295 MHz | 2,295 MHz |
| Boost clock | 2,550 MHz | 2,617 MHz Highest boost clock |
| FP32 computeTheoretical peak; AMD counts dual-issue, so compare within a brand only | 52.2 TFLOPS | 56.3 TFLOPS (winner) |
Memory
| Spec | RTX 4080 Super | RTX 5080 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| Memory type | GDDR6X | GDDR7 |
| Memory bus | 256-bit | 256-bit |
| Memory bandwidth | 736 GB/s | 960 GB/s (winner) |
Features
| Spec | RTX 4080 Super | RTX 5080 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling | DLSS Super Resolution | DLSS 4 Super Resolution |
| Frame generation | DLSS Frame Generation (2x) | DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation (up to 4x) |
| PCIe interface | PCIe 4.0 x16 | PCIe 5.0 x16 |
Power & Thermals
| Spec | RTX 4080 Super | RTX 5080 |
|---|---|---|
| Total board power | 320 W (winner) | 360 W Most power-hungry in class |
| Recommended PSU | 750 W (winner) | 850 W Biggest PSU requirement |
| Power connector | 1x 16-pin (12VHPWR) | 1x 16-pin (12V-2x6) |
Size & Connectivity
| Spec | RTX 4080 Super | RTX 5080 |
|---|---|---|
| Reference card length | 11.97 in | 11.97 in |
| Slot width | 3 slots | 2 slots |
| Display outputs | 3x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1x HDMI 2.1 | 3x DisplayPort 2.1b, 1x HDMI 2.1b |
Price
| Spec | RTX 4080 Super | RTX 5080 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price (MSRP) | $999 | $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
Neither is cheaper at launch; the RTX 4080 Super and the RTX 5080 share the same price.
All prices are official US launch prices, last checked January 2025. Actual prices at stores may differ.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the RTX 4080 Super if…
- you care about your power bill and a quieter case (320 W vs 360 W)
- you want to keep your current power supply (750 W vs 850 W recommended PSU)
- you’re fine skipping this generation’s changes
Choose the RTX 5080 if…
- you want more memory bandwidth (960 GB/s vs 736 GB/s)
- you want more theoretical compute (56.3 TFLOPS vs 52.2 TFLOPS)
- you want more raw GPU hardware (10,752 vs 10,240 shader units)
- you want more dedicated ray tracing hardware (84 vs 80)
- you’d rather start with the later of the two generations
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the RTX 4080 Super or the RTX 5080?
The RTX 5080 makes more sense overall. Consider the alternative only if what you want most is 40 W lower board power.
Should I upgrade from the RTX 4080 Super to the RTX 5080?
If those changes matter to you, yes: the RTX 5080 adds 30% more memory bandwidth, 7.9% more theoretical FP32 compute and 5% more shader units compared with the RTX 4080 Super.
Which is larger, the RTX 4080 Super or the RTX 5080?
The RTX 4080 Super and the RTX 5080 are so close in size that you’d struggle to tell them apart on dimensions alone.
Does the RTX 4080 Super perform better than the RTX 5080?
On paper, the RTX 5080 is the stronger performer, with 7.9% more theoretical FP32 compute and 5% more shader units.
Executive Summary
In-house decisions like the RTX 4080 Super versus the RTX 5080 are where I think it’s easiest to overspend or underspend. Honestly, 30% more memory bandwidth on the RTX 5080 does a lot of the persuading for me. Less flashy, but still real: the RTX 5080 brings 7.9% more theoretical FP32 compute. The RTX 4080 Super does have a strong card to play: 40 W lower board power.
Who should get which? The RTX 4080 Super for power & thermals, the RTX 5080 for gpu & performance.
My pick: the RTX 5080. The RTX 4080 Super only comes out ahead if you value 40 W lower board power above everything else.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.