Nvidia has introduced the fastest graphics card after the GeForce RTX 3090. But for whom is the graphics card worth it? MeinMMO presents an in-depth overview of the GeForce RTX 3080 Ti and explains what interested parties should pay attention to.
With the RTX 3080 Ti, Nvidia has released a graphics card that fits between the currently fastest graphics cards:
- The GeForce RTX 3080, which offers 4K performance and is officially available for 699 euros RRP in stores
- And the GeForce RTX 3090, the currently fastest graphics card, aimed primarily at enthusiasts and professional users, which is expected to cost 1,499 euros RRP
- The RTX 3080 Ti aims to position itself between the two graphics cards with its 1,199 euros RRP and fill a niche.
Currently, there are no graphics cards available at the normal recommended price. Right now, you have to pay a hefty premium for every graphics card. We already explained that the high price of 700 euros and more is not worth it for the RTX 3060.
But how does it look with the GeForce RTX 3080 Ti? MeinMMO is looking at the first independent tests and explains who might find the purchase of the graphics card worthwhile. We will also mention alternatives that are currently available for interested parties.
High performance of the RTX 3080 Ti – The price: far too high
So far, some independent testers have had the chance to test Nvidia’s new graphics card. Here are some results:
- Our colleagues from GameStar describe the RTX 3080 Ti as the “real gamer flagship from the RTX 3000 series” (via GameStar.de). With this graphics card, gamers get the best performance
- PCGamer’s testers also praise the new graphics card: You get more or less the gaming performance of an RTX 3090 at a lower price (via PCGamer.com). It also offers excellent performance with ray tracing enabled.
- The German magazine ComputerBase also tested the graphics card (via Computerbase.de). Here the conclusion is less positive: The RTX 3080 Ti is far too expensive and the RTX 3080 is usually the much better alternative. Because the RTX 3080 Ti offers no “killer feature” and a reason why gamers shouldn’t just opt for the RTX 3090.
How fast is the RTX 3080 Ti? The RTX 3080 Ti shows its strong performance especially at a resolution like 4K. Because here, custom models (graphics cards that are not by Nvidia) are a few percent ahead of the RTX 3090.
In overall performance, the Founders Edition of the RTX 3080 Ti is only 2 percent behind the RTX 3090, but 11 percent ahead of the RTX 3080.
In smaller resolutions like WQHD (1440p) and Full HD, the performance advantage is barely visible. In WQHD, the RTX 3080 Ti is only 9 percent ahead of the RTX 3080, in Full HD only 7 percent. Compared to the RTX 3090, the RTX 3080 Ti lags behind by 3 percent (WQHD) and 1 percent (Full HD).
The price is criticized: Some testers especially criticize the price of the new graphics card. The RTX 3080 Ti costs 1,199 US dollars and is thus 500 euros higher than the RRP of the GeForce RTX 3080.
However, there are also voices saying that prices in the current situation don’t matter. Although the prices are already not appropriate, the graphics card is likely to cost double in two weeks anyway.
Nonetheless, major hardware experts on YouTube like JayzTwoCents question what sense it makes to release another high-end graphics card at a price that hardly any buyer can afford (via YouTube.com). In a survey here on MeinMMO, it became clear that very few of you are willing to spend much more than 1,000 euros for a graphics card:
Is the memory of the RTX 3080 Ti sufficient? The RTX 3080 Ti offers 12 GB of video memory, which is 2 GB more than the RTX 3080, but less than the RTX 3090. Because the latter offers 24 GB.
However, tests show that 12 GB of memory is quite sufficient for the RTX 3080 Ti (via pcgameshardware.de). In demanding games, Nvidia’s efficient memory management ensures that you can play uncompromisingly with 12 GB of video memory.
In resolutions higher than 4K (5K and more), the 12 GB of the RTX 3080 Ti are indeed a bit tight, but still better than the RTX 3080 with its 10 GB of video memory.
RTX 3080 Ti or the RX 6900 XT – Which graphics card is the better choice?
If you mainly play in Full HD and WQHD, you can also go for AMD’s RX 6900 XT, as it offers a similarly strong performance for 200 euros less. At higher resolutions like 4K, the RTX 3080 Ti takes the lead again. Also, if you’re very concerned about efficiency, then the Radeon RX 6900 XT is the better choice as it consumes less power. The larger memory of the RX 6900 XT (16 vs. 12 GB) is also a point in favor of the Radeon graphics card.
However, if you want to get the most out of ray tracing, there is still no way around Nvidia. With DLSS, another point speaks for Nvidia’s graphics card, but AMD is closely following the competitor.
Before purchasing, you should make sure: Is it worth spending 500 euros for the 10 to 15% more performance compared to the RTX 3080?
Because if you are willing to spend four-digit amounts on a graphics card, you could also go for the RTX 3090, which is then not that far away in price. The RTX 3090 offers 24 GB of VRAM, meaning even more video memory than the RTX 3080 Ti, which is only equipped with 12 GB.
For whom is the RTX 3080 Ti worth it?
- You want uncompromising gaming performance, then you get with the RTX 3080 Ti similar power as with the RTX 3090, but at a lower price and smaller size (only Founders Edition).
- If you have the money for the graphics card and want to spend it. You get one of the fastest graphics cards available (if it is available).
- You want the best possible ray tracing performance.
- You play in 4K or want at least triple-digit FPS values in WQHD (1440p).
For whom is the RTX 3080 Ti not worth it?
- If you don’t have 1,200 euros for a graphics card. The RTX 3080 Ti is one of the most expensive graphics cards that you can currently buy.
- If you need to upgrade other components beforehand to prevent them from limiting the graphics card. If you want to upgrade from an RTX 2080 Ti to an RTX 3080 Ti, you may need a stronger power supply.
- If you can forgo high ray tracing performance or mature DLSS.
Regarding DLSS, both AMD and Nvidia graphics card owners can soon look forward to exciting news. Because AMD’s DLSS alternative is coming in mid-June and aims to support both AMD and Nvidia hardware.
