Perhaps that conclusion is influenced by the fact paying over a grand for a GPU gives me the ick.
It could even be that new Frame Generation tricks are furnishing me with more frames than ever.
As for memory, the RTX 5080 arrives with faster GDDR7 modules while sticking with 16GB VRAM.
(Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton)
The RTX 5080 features a 380W TDP - an increase of around 60W compared to the RTX 4080 Super.
Now, I know what youre thinking, surely the thermals are compromised as a result?
Well, Nvidia has actually rejigged its internal design by ditching its previous approach.
Simply put, Nvidia has modernized its GPU design and conjured up something thats both smaller and runs cooler.
That in itself is praiseworthy, and Im keen on how itll affect the graphics card scene at large.
Theres room for debate over whether frames dreamed up by AI are a legitimate performance boost.
(Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton)
Instead, the model improves fidelity through tackling temporal stability, ghosting, and quirks tied to motion.
Simply put, youshouldsee less visual shenanigans as a result of generated frames or upscaling.
Performance
Testing the RTX 5080 was a bit of a surreal experience.
(Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton)
I admittedly wouldnt recommend playing Cyberpunk 2077 on PC without some sort of DLSS assistance.
I mean, are you really going to pass up enjoying a 247fps average with Multi-Frame Generation enabled?
Without Multi-Frame Generation, the RTX 5080 pulls off a respectable 66fps with 4K ultra ray tracing prefs enabled.
(Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton)
Flick the AI switch, and youre talking 261fps, which is an absurd leap in performance.
At 4K, were taking native results of 164fps compared to 133fps via the Lovelace card.
But hey, Im pretty happy with even the native punches being thrown here.
As a control game of sorts, I always put GPUs to work running Total War: Warhammer 3.
TimeSpy:32,416Firestrike:43,878
The takeaway from all those benchmarks is that DLSS 4 and Multi-Frame Generation provide an unprecedented performance uplift.
One thing that caught my ear, however, was some light coil whining.
Should you buy the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 Founders Edition?
I wont lie, Im not entirely comfortable with AI seeping into the PC gaming scene.
Looking to pick up a next-gen GPU?
DLSS 4 off (Multi-Frame Generation and Super Sampling)(Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton)
Check outwhere to buy the RTX 5090andwhere to buy the RTX 5080.
Alternatively, swing by thebest Alienware gaming PCsif you want an out-of-this-world rig thats ready to go.
DLSS 4 on (Multi-Frame Generation and Super Sampling)(Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton)
