We List The Best RTX 3080 Ti AIBs Available To Buy And Also Consider The Founder’s Edition
Updated: Nov 14, 2023 12:57 pm
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Finding the best RTX 3080 Ti graphics card in today’s market is not easy – at one point it was even harder thanks to the constant lack of available stock, though fortunately this issue has now passed. That said, choosing which RTX 3080 Ti best suits your needs can still be an incredibly time-consuming task, especially if you’re looking to get the most out of your cash.
Although the RTX 3080 Ti isn’t a new product, so this guide is unlikely to change much, generally speaking we work hard to make sure our buying guides are up-to-date with the latest products, so you know our recommendations represent the best options available. If you’re in a hurry, you can see what are the best 3 picks of the list immediately below. For a thorough understanding of the market, and additional buying options, explore our individual reviews and the ‘how we test’ and ‘things to consider’ sections further down. If you’re interested in other cards, our guides on the best RX 7900 XT, RTX 3080, RTX 3090, RTX 4080, and RTX 4090 are also something you should consider. Finally, make sure you take a look at our Black Friday GPU deals guide for some great savings this November.
The difference between the best RTX 3080 Ti graphics cards often comes down to the cooling solution, design, and general build quality it offers. Having said that, aftermarket AIBs can range wildly in price – making some excellent value for money (and others not so excellent). In the following article, we’ll be scouring the web to find only the best RTX 3080 Ti graphics cards in today’s market.
Like always, we’ll be testing each for performance, cooling, design, and build quality – concluding with a final rundown of the value each brings to the table. So, with plenty to get through, let’s waste no more time and dive into it!
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Best RTX 3080 Ti graphics card 2023: reviews
The best AIB on the market if you can afford it
01
MSI GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Gaming X Trio 12G
Pros
- Very quiet thermal design
- Great build quality
- Respectable out-the-box boost clock
- 3x 8 pin power connectors mean more headroom for overclocking
- Classic geometric MSI aesthetic
- Generous RGB coverage
Cons
- The RTX 3080 Ti is a prohibitively expensive GPU
- Lies within the higher end of the 3080 Ti price spectrum
- Large size vs Founder’s Edition
Much like it did in our Best RTX 3080 list, the MSI Gaming X Trio once again clinches the top spot and for much the same reasons.
As far as AIBs go, given the more functional look imposed on them by the three fan setup, the MSI range tends to be some of the best looking, and the RTX 3080 Ti carries on this tradition. The angular geometric design, vaguely reminiscent of something you might see out of Deus Ex Mankind Divided, is a bit more interesting than what you’d usually see, and the diagonal three RGB strips across the top of the card, in addition to the light-up logo on the side add a bit more RGB magic than the minimal amount you’ll see on most 3080 Tis.
Build quality, as with most MSI cards, is top-notch, and the metal backplate adds an extra degree of sturdiness to the card – hopefully making installing/removing/reinstalling it in a build less of a worrisome experience. The card is not small though, it takes up 3 PCI case slots like the other AIBs in this list (though not the Founder’s Edition) but beyond this, its dimensions are one of the biggest graphics cards on this list, so if you’re looking to put together a small case build, consider other options.
The main reason for the bulk of this graphics card is of course the cooling, and the MSI GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Gaming X Trio 12G comes with the same TRI FROZR 2 cooling system and TORX FAN 4.0 blades as their version of the RTX 3080, which is one of the best on the market in terms of efficiency, but also one of the quietest.
Although the 1770 MHz core boost clock doesn’t seem that much higher than the 1670 MHz of the Founder’s Edition, it is the highest currently on offer in the market for RTX 3080 Ti AIBs, so gives you the most power of any GPU on this list. Finally, the use of 3 x 8-pin connectors rather than just two, opens up the card for overclocking in the future, even if it might be a bit of irritation in the short term.
This isn’t a cheap graphics card, even by 3080 Ti standards, but if you want the best RTX 3080 Ti money can buy right now, you won’t go wrong with the MSI GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Gaming X Trio 12G.
The second best AIB money can buy
02
Gigabyte RTX 3080 Ti Gaming OC 12G
Pros
- Moderate out-the-box overclock
- Quiet thermal design
- Greater expected lifespan vs FE
- 2x HDMI ports
- 4 Years warranty
- Good build quality
- Moderately expensive compared to other RTX 3080 Ti AIBs
Cons
- The RTX 3080 Ti is a prohibitively expensive GPU
- Large size vs Founder’s Edition
- Less aesthetically pleasing than the Founder’s Edition
- Would have liked to have seen a higher overclock
The Gigabyte RTX 3080 Ti Gaming OC 12G comes with a relatively modest increase in the boost clock to 1710 MHz out of the box, from the 1665 MHz of the vanilla version. For this increase, the TDP of the card has been turned up from 350W to 360W. To be honest, we would have liked to have seen slightly greater gains for the extra money being paid here, though compared to the competing AIBs with higher clock speeds (see above) the Gigabyte RTX 3080 Ti Gaming OC 12G is substantially cheaper, so this is the trade-off you have to consider. Based on the MRSP you would pay $200+ for this card on top of the c.$1,200 of the Founder’s Edition, though obviously in today’s low-stock market you’ll likely end up having to fork out much more for either card.
The build quality of Gigabyte AIBs is generally of a good standard and this GPU is no exception. Gigabyte’s patented Windforce cooling solution uses three ergonomically designed fans that can switch from a semi-passive mode when the demands on the card are low, to higher speeds when it begins to heat up – thus maximizing energy efficiency. This also reduces noise when using the graphics card generally, and it is among the quieter RTX 3080 Tis available. The cooling is of a good standard and brings some peace of mind that the card will last the distance and not lose efficiency over time like the Founder’s Edition.
The 4-year warranty is very welcome and adds further confidence to the longevity of this expensive card, however, be aware that any further overclocking of the card that you do will void this. Finally the Gigabyte RTX 3080 Ti Gaming OC 12G is one of the few offerings which comes with two HDMI 2.1 ports (one is much more common), which may be a useful feature for some.
Best value RTX 3080 Ti
03
ZOTAC GAMING GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Trinity 12GB
Pros
- One of the cheapest RTX 3080 Ti AIBs you will find
- Improved cooling solution compared to the Founder’s Edition
- Good build quality
Cons
- The RTX 3080 Ti is a prohibitively expensive GPU
- Not the quietest on offer
- Less powerful than other RTX 3080 Ti AIBs
- Large size vs Founder’s Edition
We use the term ‘value’ here very loosely, as the minimum you will be spending on this card is $1,299 i.e. around $100 more than the Founder’s Edition, however ultimately for this money you get a graphics card which has an improved cooling solution and therefore greater likely longevity, which should help ensure you get the most value for your money long-term.
The ZOTAC Trinity GeForce RTX 3080 Ti 12GB is the most conservative of all the AIBs on this list, in that its boost clock is the same 1665 MHz as the Founder’s Edition of the card, and there is generally not much improvement in real performance compared to the vanilla FE version, besides the increased upper limits, the more efficient cooling permits should you wish to overclock it yourself.
The cooling is unfortunately also among the louder of the RTX 3080 Tis, and kicks out more decibels compared to other selections on this shortlist, though the difference still won’t be that noticeable to most people under most gaming loads.
Ultimately this is the RTX 3080 Ti you should go for if you’re just looking for a graphics card with improved cooling and likely longevity over the vanilla version for not much more money.
The smallest and cheapest RTX 3080 Ti
04
Nvidia RTX 3080 Ti Founder’s Edition
Pros
- The most compact RTX 3080 Ti
- One of the nicest looking RTX 3080 Tis
- Cheaper than most RTX 3080 Ti AIBs
Cons
- The RTX 3080 Ti is a prohibitively expensive GPU
- Not the quietest on offer & could get louder over time
- Poorer cooling solution means potentially worse longevity
If space is at a premium in your case and the monster three fan AIBs simply won’t fit, then the Founder’s Edition of the RTX 3080 Ti might be your best bet. In our opinion, the iconic ‘Tie Fighter’ design (or horizontal hourglass) is one of the nicest out there from an aesthetic perspective, and the MSRP is the cheapest you will find (though you’ll be lucky to pick one up for this).
As ever, the main difference between the Founder’s Edition of the graphics card and the AIBs is the cooling solution. The RTX 3080 Ti uses the same 2-slot design as the RTX 3080, rather than the three-slot design of the RTX 3090 FE. The area in which the card generates the most heat is around the GDDR6X memory, and a critique of the Founder’s Edition 3090 is that the thermal pad for the VRAM is not really adequate, leading people to upgrade it themselves, though unfortunately, this voids the warranty. Sadly the RTX 3080 Ti Founder’s Edition has the same drawback, so this is a consideration potential buyers of this card will have to weigh up.
That being said, even if the cooling is below par, at present you’re unlikely to notice much of an audible difference between this card and the AIBs listed on this page when playing games – generally, the card does run quite quiet except in the rare scenarios where the VRAM usage is pushed to the max and this is mostly limited to crypto-mining and the like. Still, more demanding games that may appear in the future might similarly stress the card, and if past experience is anything to go buy, long-term stress on the card may cause it to become louder as efficiency degrades over time. Such degradation could reduce the lifespan of the card, which is a consideration buyers should think about before they make what is a very substantial purchase.
The best watercooled RTX 3080 Ti
05
ASUS ROG Strix LC RTX 3080 Ti OC
1,365 MHz base, 1,860 MHz boost
293 x 133 x 52 mm card, 272 x 121 x 54 mm radiator
Pros
- Excellent cooling solution for performance and longevity
- Top performance out of choices
- Best option for overclocking
Cons
- Most expensive choice
- More complicated to install, requiring more space
If standard air cooling isn’t quite for you there’s always the option of water cooling your graphics card. So if you want a pre-cooled option we recommend the ROG Strix LC RTX 3080 Ti OC. To start off the analysis we look at how the cooling is configured. With the full-coverage cold plate, which covers both the die as well as the memory die. Ensuring neither component will throttle the performance.
Whilst that heat is taken away by the liquid the rest of the graphics board is supported by onboard cooling. The shroud is covered with a blower fan to remove the heat from the board whilst keeping a low profile. Then the radiator itself is a 240mm radiator with 120mm ARGB fans. Optimized for high CFMs and static pressure it ensures the highest efficiency heat transfer. Dispelling all that energy from your system.
With all that it does mean you get the most performance out of the 3080 Ti. With a boost clock of 1,830 MHz, it leads the pack, although not alone. However, with all that cooling it can be pushed even further. With plenty of overhead for overclocking that can be supported by the LC. Especially with three 8-pin connectors giving it plenty of power to work with. The cooling solution also means that the card is smaller itself. Only taking up two slots and shorter than other options. But does require a radiator to be mounted elsewhere, which can make its own difficulties.
How we chose the best RTX 3080 Ti GPUs
Every selection we make in our best of guides must take into account performance, price, size, cooling, and build quality. We sink hours of time into product research, performance benchmarking, and feedback from consumers to come up with the best products for your delectation – something that would be difficult for someone not well-versed in the world of tech.
So rather than sinking hours of your own time into picking your way through the web, sit back and let the experts at WePC do the job for you! You can be safe in the knowledge that any selection we make has been through a rigorous process, and will be the right choice for your machine.
How we test
Testing the products we recommend is a key part of our review process. We do this to ensure that each product is the best option within its specific niche. For a product to be “the best,” it must display solid performance in our tests and better qualities compared to the competition.
The products we recommend here at WePC go through a testing process that incorporates everything from appearance to performance, price, and efficiency. Every product (be it a graphics card, a CPU, or a monitor) is put through its paces to see how it performs under intense stress to make sure it warrants the top spot.
All of this enables us to give you the most accurate review possible and whether you should spend your hard-earned cash on it! You can find a more detailed process on our how we test GPUs page.
Things to consider when buying a RTX 3080 Ti GPU
When it comes to buying one of the best RTX 3080Ti graphics cards, you should definitely refresh yourself on the most fundamental purchasing factors.
Three of the biggest when it comes to NVIDIA’s 3000 series GPU series are; Price, Cooling, and Size. Be sure to also read through the ‘Understanding The Specs’ section below to ensure you pull the trigger on the big purchase that is a new GPU.
Price
There isn’t generally a big difference between different AIBs of the same card graphics card model. The price gap between ‘premium’ selections from the more budget offerings, does typically represent a fair value of the card.
That is the extra $100+ or whatever extra you might pay, will usually ensure the card has more efficient cooling, better out-the-box clock speeds, and better overall build quality and is therefore usually worth it if you’re spending this much on the component anyway.
Cooling
Cooling is a very important feature of any graphics card, one often overlooked by people who are inexperienced in the field. next to the CPU, the GPU is the hottest running component you’ll find in your computer and has the biggest impact on the overall internal temperature of the case.
For this reason, a graphics card with insufficient cooling will likely see reduced performance over time and ultimately a shorter life span.
Every card we have selected in this guide has a high-end cooling solution that ensures temperatures stay at an optimal level – even under the most demanding of workloads.
Here are some quick tips on GPU cooling:
- Triple fan setups are more efficient than a dual fan setup
- Bigger cooling solutions create significantly more noise
- ‘Blower’ style cooling solutions are substantially less efficient than generic dual/triple fan setups
Remember! The more heat your GPU creates, the higher the internal temperature of your PC will become – this means a greater knock-on effect of the temperature on other components.
Size
Over the last decade, as GPUs have increased in power so have they increased in size. The latest graphics cards from both Nvidia and AMD are some of the biggest ever made; this of course means more restrictions on space within your case.
Most AIBs are however sized fairly similarly: cooling solutions are the main factor that increases card sizes overall and the number of cores is usually the biggest factor that influences cooling, so on the same card model there shouldn’t be too much variation.
However, there are still differences and you should always double-check that the PC case you plan to use can actually accommodate the GPU you’re thinking of getting. Most smaller mid-tower won’t easily fit the latest 30-series graphics cards from Nvidia or AMD’s latest series.
Understanding the specs of RTX 3080 Ti GPUs
Three commonly stated factors that govern the performance, price, and suitability of a graphics card for your computer are Clock Speeds, VRAM and TDP. Let’s take a closer look at what you should expect when deciding which RTX 3080 Ti GPU to buy:
Clock Speeds
The biggest variation in different AIBs of the same graphics card tends to come from the clock speed. Clock speed, or clock rate, is the speed at which your microprocessor operates (be it a CPU or a GPU).
For all intents and purposes, this specification lets us know how fast your GPU will perform instructions and render graphics, so is a core consideration in the performance of a card.
The ‘base clock’ (i.e. the theoretic idling speed of the GPU) of the RTX 3080 Ti Founder’s Edition is 1365 MHz, with a ‘boost clock’ of 1665 MHz (i.e. the speed the card will run at under high-stress scenarios).
Aftermarket manufacturers will typically overclock the boost clock of their versions of the cards to generate additional performance compared to the Founder’s Edition, and this puts strain on the cooling, often necessitating a new cooling solution to compensate.
Although not always the case, often lesser-known brands end up using thermal solutions that lag behind those of premium competitors, leading to an effective cap on the boost clock speed.
VRAM
Despite VRAM sounding fairly complicated, it’s actually not. In a nutshell, VRAM is your GPU’s Video memory and it acts in the same way as your system memory does – providing your GPU with instant data that can be used by active programs and games (in any order and at any time).
VRAM is extremely important when it comes to rendering high-resolution 4K gameplay. It also plays a major role in the productivity performance a GPU can offer. The RTX 3080 TI comes equipped with 12GB of GDDR6X VRAM, meaning that it doesn’t compare to the RTX 3090 with its 24GB VRAM, so won’t touch that more expensive card when it comes to graphically demanding workstation tasks.
But it still packs a very impressive punch and more or less manages to match the RTX 3090 at 4K gaming. The 2GB increase in VRAM over the RTX 3080 does make a difference in 4K performance though, so it seems Nvidia has found the sweet spot at 12GB for their flagship gaming GPU the RTX 3080 Ti.
TDP
TDP, better known as thermal design power, refers to the maximum amount of heat that the GPU’s cooler can dissipate when at maximum load.
Each brand determines the TDP based on a unique formula, so cannot be definitively compared, but they will still give you a good indication of the amount of heat your graphics card will generate.
Despite the prevalence of the TDP figure in marketing, unlike with CPUs, GPUs come with a pre-installed cooler, so the actual bearing this figure will have on your decision-making process is limited.
RTX 3080 Ti stock
After a challenging year since its release, it is good news for those looking for RTX 3080 Ti stock. With the cryptocurrency crash, there is plenty to go around. Now they aren’t being picked up by the next miner price has been returning to normal. With plenty of options to pick from, either secondhand or retail. Although they have been returning to lower prices, they aren’t doing it all equally. With Nvidia’s and more popular cards still struggling to descend the last few steps.
How much should a 3080 TI cost?
The MSRP of the RTX 3080 Ti was $1,199 USD/£1,049 on release, but the market has been all over the place with stock and pricing with the GPU shortage. But now that prices have fallen alongside crypto and so we find some good opportunities again. Many cards are now available at MSRP again or below.
Is the RTX 3080 Ti worth it?
On its own, it is a powerful graphics card that can achieve great performance. However, it is expensive so if the performance is up to what you can pay then it can be worth it for you. As it is still cheaper than a 3090 but can hold its own against it.
Final word
So, this has been our guide to the best RTX 3080 Ti graphics cards on the market, we hope you have found it useful! Ultimately, whichever of these powerful cards you pick, as long as you make sure it is compatible with the rest of your build, you will end up with one of the most beastly gaming PCs money can buy, whatever resolution you happen to be playing on.
Obviously, stock issues still abound for this card, others in the 30 series, and GPUs in general. Make sure you keep our Where To Buy The RTX 3080 Ti page bookmarked and refreshed for a list of all the major stockists worldwide so you don’t miss out.
Other GPU guides
Best 3080 Ti graphics card FAQs
Is the RTX 3080 Ti worth it?
On its own, it is a powerful graphics card that can achieve great performance. However, it is expensive so if the performance is up to what you can pay then it can be worth it for you. As it is still cheaper than a 3090 but can hold its own against it.
What is the best OC 3080 Ti?
There are three different AIBs with the highest boost clock by default. These best OCs are achieved by the ASUS ROG Strix LC, Gigabyte AORUS Xtreme, and the MSI Suprim X models. These all have a boost clock of 1,830 MHz, from the default 1,665 MHz.
