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GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme Review | 118 Data compared

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  • Avg. price in UK: ~£840
  • Avg. price in US: ~$880
  • VRAM: 11 GB
  • Memory bus width: 352 bit
  • Thermal Design Power (TDP): 250 W

GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme review. Compare 118 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among graphics cards and if it is worth buying.

5.8

Overall score

What it is: An overall evaluation of the graphics card's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.

When it matters: When you need a quick reference to identify the best graphics cards on the market.

Score components:

90.0%

5.6

Technical Score

10.0%

7.3

User score

Good
5.6

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the graphics card's technical performance, covering key areas such as gaming and rendering performance, ray tracing, memory configuration, power efficiency, cooling, connectivity, features, and build quality.

When it matters: When you want to compare graphics cards based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

44.0%

5.2

Performance

24.0%

4.7

Memory

12.0%

6.4

Power & Cooling

11.0%

6.7

Platform & Features

5.0%

7.5

Design

4.0%

8.2

Connectivity & Media

Good
7.3

User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the graphics card.

When it matters: When you want to understand how a graphics card performs in real use and how reliable it is in terms of performance, temperatures, noise, stability, and long-term ownership.

Score components:

70.0%

8.2

User reviews

30.0%

5.1

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.0
(36)
amazon
4.2
(31)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.0
(37)
Amazon_logo.png
4.3
(30)

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

Very good
  • 4.5
    Gaming

    Score components:

    45.0%

    2.8

    Floating-point performance

    25.0%

    3.7

    VRAM

    20.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    10.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 5.3
    Video editing

    Score components:

    35.0%

    7.0

    AV1 encode

    30.0%

    3.7

    VRAM

    20.0%

    2.8

    Floating-point performance

    15.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 4.0
    1080p

    Score components:

    55.0%

    2.8

    Floating-point performance

    25.0%

    3.7

    VRAM

    10.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    10.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 4.1
    1440p

    Score components:

    50.0%

    2.8

    Floating-point performance

    30.0%

    3.7

    VRAM

    15.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    5.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 4.4
    4K

    Score components:

    40.0%

    2.8

    Floating-point performance

    35.0%

    3.7

    VRAM

    20.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    5.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

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Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).
All: ranking among all products in the database.

Verdict

The Gigabyte Aorus GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme is a high-performance graphics card built on the Pascal architecture, featuring 11GB of GDDR5X memory on a 352-bit bus. It stands out with its integrated WATERFORCE All-in-One liquid cooling system, utilizing a 120mm radiator and fan to directly cool the GPU, VRAM, and MOSFETs for superior thermal management. In OC Mode, it delivers a base clock of 1632 MHz and a boost clock of 1746 MHz, supported by a 12+2 power phase design and a protective metal backplate with an advanced copper cooling insert. Main pros include its exceptional factory overclock, near-silent liquid cooling operation, and the unique Aorus VR Link which provides extra HDMI ports for easy headset connectivity. However, cons include its high initial launch price compared to air-cooled models, the requirement for dedicated radiator mounting space in the chassis, and the use of a plastic shroud that some users feel lacks a premium tactile feel.

Technical Specifications of GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the graphics card's technical performance, covering key areas such as gaming and rendering performance, ray tracing, memory configuration, power efficiency, cooling, connectivity, features, and build quality.

When it matters: When you want to compare graphics cards based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

44.0%

5.2

Performance

24.0%

4.7

Memory

12.0%

6.4

Power & Cooling

11.0%

6.7

Platform & Features

5.0%

7.5

Design

4.0%

8.2

Connectivity & Media

5.6
GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme has a technical score of 5.62 points, which is lower than that of 68.2% of products in this category.
User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the graphics card.

When it matters: When you want to understand how a graphics card performs in real use and how reliable it is in terms of performance, temperatures, noise, stability, and long-term ownership.

Score components:

70.0%

8.2

User reviews

30.0%

5.1

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.0
(36)
amazon
4.2
(31)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.0
(37)
Amazon_logo.png
4.3
(30)

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

7.3
GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme has a user score of 7.25 points, which is lower than that of 88.8% of products in this category.
Popularity
What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the graphics card.
When it matters: When you prefer a graphics card that has already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
5.1
GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme has a popularity of 5.1 points, which is higher than 62% of products in this category.
Ratio quality/price

What it is: An indicator that combines the graphics card's overall rating with its cost.

When it matters: When you are looking for a graphics card that offers a strong balance of performance, features, and price.

Score components:

60.0%

5.8

Overall score

40.0%

6.1

Price

5.9
GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme has a quality-to-price ratio of 5.9 points, which is lower than 83.9% of products in this category.
3DMark Time Spy benchmark score
What it is: Benchmark result from 3DMark Time Spy, a synthetic DirectX 12 test often used as a quick gaming-performance reference.
When it matters: When you need a fast rough performance sort before digging into game-specific reviews and frame-rate data.

Importance: LOW

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3DMark Port Royal score
What it is: Benchmark result from 3DMark Port Royal, a synthetic test focused on ray tracing performance.
When it matters: When ray tracing matters in the games you actually play and you want one quick way to separate stronger and weaker RT cards.

Importance: LOW

N/A
PassMark (G3D) result
What it is: Overall GPU performance score in PassMark G3D benchmark
When it matters: When you need one broad score to sort cards into rough performance tiers.

Importance: LOW

18,586 points
GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme scores 18586 points in PassMark G3D, which is higher than 68.8% of graphics cards.
PassMark (DirectCompute) result
What it is: PassMark score for DirectCompute performance tests
When it matters: When compute workloads matter alongside gaming performance.

Importance: LOW

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Floating-point performance
What it is: Theoretical floating-point compute performance of the GPU.
When it matters: When rendering, AI, or heavy compute work needs strong single-precision throughput.

Importance: LOW

12.34 TFLOPS
GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme delivers 12.34 TFLOPS floating-point performance, which is lower than that of 74.4% of graphics cards.
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VRAM
What it is: Total video memory available on the graphics card
When it matters: When you play at high settings, use texture mods, or work with large creative projects.

Importance: HIGH

11 GB
GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme has 11 GB of VRAM, which is less than 54.6% of graphics cards and equal to 1.5% of graphics cards.
Memory type
What it is: Type of graphics memory used (GDDR6, HBM2e, etc.)
When it matters: When memory technology is part of the buying decision because it affects bandwidth class, power use, and product positioning.

Importance: LOW

GDDR5X
GDDR version
What it is: Generation of GDDR memory used by the graphics card.
When it matters: When you want to separate older memory generations from newer ones before comparing bandwidth, power behavior, and market tier.

Importance: LOW

GDDR5X
GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme uses GDDR5X memory, which is older than on 83.5% of graphics cards and equal to 1.5% of graphics cards.
Memory bus width
What it is: Width of the memory interface bus in bits
When it matters: When you care about steadier performance at higher resolutions, heavier texture settings, or ray-traced workloads that stress memory traffic.

Importance: HIGH

352 bit
GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme uses a 352 bit memory bus, which is wider than that of 87.8% of graphics cards and equal to that of 1.5% of graphics cards.
Maximum memory bandwidth
What it is: Maximum data transfer rate between GPU and its memory
When it matters: When 4K gaming, ray tracing, or creator work can choke a slower memory subsystem.

Importance: HIGH

494.2 GB/s
GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme reaches 494.2 GB/s memory bandwidth, which is higher than that of 53.4% of graphics cards and equal to that of 0.1% of graphics cards.
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PCI Express (PCIe) version
What it is: Version of PCI Express interface supported
When it matters: When you are pairing the card with an older motherboard and want to avoid leaving bandwidth or future compatibility on the table.

Importance: LOW

3.0
GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme supports PCIe 3.0, which is older than on 77.6% of graphics cards and equal to 20.3% of graphics cards.
PCIe lanes
What it is: Number of PCI Express lanes used for communication
When it matters: When limited lane width could bottleneck the card in some systems.

Importance: LOW

x16
GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme uses x16 PCIe lanes, which is more than 31.5% of graphics cards and equal to 68.6% of graphics cards.
DirectX version
What it is: Highest supported DirectX API version
When it matters: When you play newer Windows games that depend on the latest graphics features.

Importance: LOW

12.1
GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme supports DirectX 12.1, which is older than on 87.7% of graphics cards and equal to 4.9% of graphics cards.
Vulkan version
What it is: Highest supported Vulkan API version
When it matters: When modern games, emulators, or creative apps lean on Vulkan support.

Importance: LOW

1.4
GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme supports Vulkan 1.4, which is more advanced than on 26.6% of graphics cards and equal to 73.4% of graphics cards.
OpenGL version
What it is: Highest supported OpenGL API version
When it matters: When older games or pro apps still depend on OpenGL compatibility.

Importance: LOW

4.6
GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme supports OpenGL 4.6, which is more advanced than on 4.8% of graphics cards and equal to 95.2% of graphics cards.
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Max displays supported
What it is: Total number of external displays supported simultaneously
When it matters: When you run a multi-monitor desk for sim racing, trading, or editing.

Importance: LOW

4
GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme supports up to 4 displays, which is more than 7.8% of graphics cards and equal to 89.2% of graphics cards.
Max digital resolution
What it is: Maximum supported digital display resolution
When it matters: When you plan to drive 4K or 8K panels at their native resolution.

Importance: LOW

7680x4320
GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme supports a maximum digital resolution of 7680x4320, which is higher than that of 44.4% of graphics cards and equal to that of 55.6% of graphics cards.
DisplayPort outputs
What it is: Number of DisplayPort video outputs
When it matters: When your setup needs several high-refresh monitors without adapters.

Importance: LOW

3
GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme offers 3 DisplayPort outputs, which is more than 20.9% of graphics cards and equal to 77.3% of graphics cards.
DisplayPort version
What it is: Version of DisplayPort standard supported
When it matters: When your monitor setup depends on newer DisplayPort features for higher refresh rates, higher resolution, or better cable flexibility.

Importance: LOW

1.4a
GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme supports DisplayPort 1.4a, which is more advanced than on 22.7% of graphics cards and equal to 44.2% of graphics cards.
DisplayPort link rates
What it is: Supported data link rates for DisplayPort connections
When it matters: When you are pushing high resolution and refresh rate over DisplayPort.

Importance: LOW

32.4 Gbps
GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme supports DisplayPort link rates up to 32.4 Gbps, which is faster than on 58.3% of graphics cards and equal to 24% of graphics cards.
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Thermal Design Power (TDP)
What it is: Typical power consumption under full load (TDP)
When it matters: When you need a realistic idea of power draw before choosing a PSU or case.

Importance: MEDIUM

250 W
GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme has a TDP of 250 W, which is higher than that of 58.4% of graphics cards and equal to that of 6.1% of graphics cards.
Power consumption while under peak load
What it is: Peak power draw of the graphics card under maximum load.
When it matters: When transient-heavy gaming loads could stress your power supply.

Importance: LOW

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Recommended PSU wattage
What it is: Recommended wattage of the system power supply
When it matters: When you are checking whether your current power supply is enough.

Importance: LOW

600 W
GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme recommends a 600 W PSU, which is lower than that of 55.7% of graphics cards and equal to that of 7.5% of graphics cards.
Board power limit
What it is: Maximum configurable power limit for the GPU board
When it matters: When you care about how far the card can be pushed through tuning or factory power settings.

Importance: LOW

?
PCIe power spec
What it is: PCIe power delivery specification followed
When it matters: When you are checking whether the slot and external cables match the card's intended power-delivery standard.

Importance: LOW

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Size
What it is: Physical size of the GPU card
When it matters: When you need the card to fit a compact case without blocking nearby hardware.

Importance: LOW

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Length
What it is: Physical length of the GPU card
When it matters: When front radiators or drive cages leave only limited GPU clearance.

Importance: LOW

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Height
What it is: Physical height of the GPU card
When it matters: When side panels, brackets, or tight case layouts reduce vertical clearance.

Importance: LOW

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Slot width
What it is: Number of PCIe slots occupied by the card
When it matters: When you need room for another PCIe card or better airflow under the GPU.

Importance: LOW

2 slot/s
GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme occupies 2 slot/s, which is slimmer than 49.2% of graphics cards and equal in width to 47.3% of graphics cards.
Weight
What it is: Total weight of the graphics card
When it matters: When sag, bracket support, or shipping stress matters in your build.

Importance: LOW

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GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme vs the average graphics card

  • 96 bit wider memory bus
    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme has a wider memory bus than the average graphics card (352 bit vs 256 bit). The average graphics card has a memory bus width of 256 bit.
    What it is: Width of the memory interface bus in bits
    When it matters: When you care about steadier performance at higher resolutions, heavier texture settings, or ray-traced workloads that stress memory traffic.

    Importance: HIGH

    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme has a wider memory bus than the average graphics card (352 bit vs 256 bit). The average graphics card has a memory bus width of 256 bit.352 bit vs 256 bit
  • 24 more ROPs
    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme has more ROPs than the average graphics card (88 vs 64). The average graphics card has 64 ROPs.
    What it is: Total number of render output units on the GPU
    When it matters: When you want more context on pixel output capacity, especially for high-resolution play and older raster-heavy engines.

    Importance: HIGH

    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme has more ROPs than the average graphics card (88 vs 64). The average graphics card has 64 ROPs.88 vs 64
  • 40 more TMUs
    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme has more TMUs than the average graphics card (224 vs 184). The average graphics card has 184 TMUs.
    What it is: Total count of texture mapping units on the GPU
    When it matters: When texture-heavy gaming performance matters and you want extra hardware context behind texture-rate claims.

    Importance: HIGH

    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme has more TMUs than the average graphics card (224 vs 184). The average graphics card has 184 TMUs.224 vs 184
  • 1 more DVI outputs
    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme has more DVI outputs than the average graphics card (1 vs 0). The average graphics card has 0 DVI outputs.
    What it is: Number of DVI display outputs available
    When it matters: When you still use an older monitor that depends on DVI.

    Importance: LOW

    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme has more DVI outputs than the average graphics card (1 vs 0). The average graphics card has 0 DVI outputs.1 vs 0
  • 10.3% higher memory bandwidth
    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme has a higher memory bandwidth than the average graphics card (494.2 GB/s vs 448 GB/s). The average graphics card has a memory bandwidth of 448 GB/s.
    What it is: Maximum data transfer rate between GPU and its memory
    When it matters: When 4K gaming, ray tracing, or creator work can choke a slower memory subsystem.

    Importance: HIGH

    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme has a higher memory bandwidth than the average graphics card (494.2 GB/s vs 448 GB/s). The average graphics card has a memory bandwidth of 448 GB/s.494.2 GB/s vs 448 GB/s
  • 62.9% higher PassMark score
    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme has a higher PassMark score than the average graphics card (18,586 points vs 11,411 points). The average graphics card has a PassMark score of 11,411 points.
    What it is: Overall GPU performance score in PassMark G3D benchmark
    When it matters: When you need one broad score to sort cards into rough performance tiers.

    Importance: LOW

    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme has a higher PassMark score than the average graphics card (18,586 points vs 11,411 points). The average graphics card has a PassMark score of 11,411 points.18586 points vs 11411 points
  • 8 °C lower idle temperature
    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme has a lower idle temperature than the average graphics card (30 °C vs 38 °C). The average graphics card has an idle temperature of 38 °C.
    What it is: GPU temperature measured while the graphics card is idle.
    When it matters: When the system stays on for long periods and you care whether the card runs cool and relaxed outside of gaming sessions.

    Importance: LOW

    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme has a lower idle temperature than the average graphics card (30 °C vs 38 °C). The average graphics card has an idle temperature of 38 °C.30 °C vs 38 °C
  • Supports multi-GPU linking
    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme supports multi-GPU linking, the average graphics card does not.
    What it is: Supports NVIDIA SLI or AMD CrossFire multi-GPU setup
    When it matters: When you still run legacy multi-GPU gaming or rendering workflows.

    Importance: LOW

    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme supports multi-GPU linking, the average graphics card does not.
  • 24 more ROPs
    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme has more ROPs than the average graphics card (88 vs 64). The average graphics card has 64 ROPs.
  • 40 more TMUs
    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme has more TMUs than the average graphics card (224 vs 184). The average graphics card has 184 TMUs.
  • 62.9% higher PassMark score
    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme has a higher PassMark score than the average graphics card (18,586 points vs 11,411 points). The average graphics card has a PassMark score of 11,411 points.
  • 96 bit wider memory bus
    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme has a wider memory bus than the average graphics card (352 bit vs 256 bit). The average graphics card has a memory bus width of 256 bit.
  • 10.3% higher memory bandwidth
    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme has a higher memory bandwidth than the average graphics card (494.2 GB/s vs 448 GB/s). The average graphics card has a memory bandwidth of 448 GB/s.
  • Supports multi-GPU linking
    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme supports multi-GPU linking, the average graphics card does not.
  • 1 more DVI outputs
    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme has more DVI outputs than the average graphics card (1 vs 0). The average graphics card has 0 DVI outputs.
  • 8 °C lower idle temperature
    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme has a lower idle temperature than the average graphics card (30 °C vs 38 °C). The average graphics card has an idle temperature of 38 °C.
  • 7.7% lower PSU requirement
    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme has a lower PSU requirement than the average graphics card (600 W vs 650 W). The average graphics card has a PSU requirement of 650 W.

Total
Performance
Memory
Platform & Features
Connectivity & Media
Power & Cooling
  • 30.2% lower boost clock speed
    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,746 MHz vs 2,500 MHz). The average graphics card has a boost GPU clock of 2,500 MHz.
  • 12 fewer compute units
    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (28 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.
  • 16.3% lower base clock speed
    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme has a lower base GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,607 MHz vs 1,920 MHz). The average graphics card has a base GPU clock of 1,920 MHz.
  • 46% lower FP32 performance
    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme has a lower FP32 performance than the average graphics card (12.3 TFLOPS vs 22.86 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has FP32 performance of 22.86 TFLOPS.
  • 8.4% lower pixel rate
    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme has a lower pixel rate than the average graphics card (151.4 GPixel/s vs 165.2 GPixel/s). The average graphics card has a pixel rate of 165.2 GPixel/s.
  • 91.4% smaller L2 cache
    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme has fewer L2 cache than the average graphics card (2.8 MB vs 32 MB). The average graphics card has 32 MB L2 cache.
  • 19.8% slower VRAM clock
    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme has a lower VRAM clock than the average graphics card (1,404 MHz vs 1,750 MHz). The average graphics card runs its VRAM at 1,750 MHz.
  • 1 GB less VRAM
    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (11 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.
  • 62.5% smaller L1 cache
    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme has fewer L1 cache than the average graphics card (48 vs 128). The average graphics card has 128 L1 cache.
  • 3.2x larger process node
    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme has a higher process node than the average graphics card (16 nm vs 5 nm). The average graphics card uses a process node of 5 nm.
  • No DLSS support
    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme does not support DLSS, the average graphics card does.
  • Older PCIe version
    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme supports an older PCIe version than the average graphics card (3 vs 4.0).
  • 6 older
    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme was released earlier than the average graphics card (2,017 vs 2,023).
  • No mesh shaders
    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme does not support mesh shaders, the average graphics card does.
  • No DirectStorage support
    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme does not support DirectStorage, the average graphics card does.
  • Older OpenCL version
    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme supports an older OpenCL version than the average graphics card (1.2 vs 3.0).
  • Older DirectX version
    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme supports an older DirectX version than the average graphics card (12.1 vs 12 Ultimate).
  • Older encoder generation
    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme uses an older encoder generation than the average graphics card (6 vs 8). The average graphics card uses encoder generation 8.
  • No sampler feedback
    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme does not support sampler feedback, the average graphics card does.
  • 54.8% larger GPU die
    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme has a higher GPU die size than the average graphics card (471 mm² vs 304.25 mm²). The average graphics card has a GPU die size of 304.25 mm².
  • No AV1 encoding
    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme does not support AV1 encoding, the average graphics card does.
  • No AV1 decoding
    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme does not support AV1 decoding, the average graphics card does.
  • No DSC support
    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme does not support DSC, the average graphics card does.
  • Older HDMI version
    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme supports an older HDMI version than the average graphics card (2 vs 2.1).
  • Older HDCP version
    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme supports an older HDCP version than the average graphics card (2.2 vs 2.3).
  • Older NVDEC generation
    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme has a lower NVDEC generation than the average graphics card (4 vs 6). The average graphics card offers NVDEC generation 6.
  • 2 fewer fans
    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme has fewer fans than the average graphics card (1 vs 3).
  • 16.3% higher TDP
    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme has a higher TDP than the average graphics card (250 W vs 215 W). The average graphics card has a TDP of 215 W.
  • 30.2% lower boost clock speed
    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,746 MHz vs 2,500 MHz). The average graphics card has a boost GPU clock of 2,500 MHz.
    What it is: Maximum boost frequency the GPU can reach under load
    When it matters: When you want a rough idea of peak advertised frequency, while knowing real sustained clocks still depend on cooling and power limits.

    Importance: HIGH

    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,746 MHz vs 2,500 MHz). The average graphics card has a boost GPU clock of 2,500 MHz.1746 MHz vs 2500 MHz
  • 2 fewer fans
    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme has fewer fans than the average graphics card (1 vs 3).
    What it is: Total number of cooling fans
    When it matters: When you compare cooler designs and want one more clue about thermal potential.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme has fewer fans than the average graphics card (1 vs 3).1 vs 3
  • 3.2x larger process node
    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme has a higher process node than the average graphics card (16 nm vs 5 nm). The average graphics card uses a process node of 5 nm.
    What it is: Size of the manufacturing process in nanometers
    When it matters: When process node differences may affect power, heat, and overall efficiency.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme has a higher process node than the average graphics card (16 nm vs 5 nm). The average graphics card uses a process node of 5 nm.16 nm vs 5 nm
  • 12 fewer compute units
    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (28 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.
    What it is: Total number of shader multiprocessors or compute units
    When it matters: When you want a better sense of the GPU's overall parallel hardware resources before relying on game benchmarks alone.

    Importance: HIGH

    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (28 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.28 vs 40
  • No DLSS support
    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme does not support DLSS, the average graphics card does.
    What it is: Supports NVIDIA DLSS upscaling technology
    When it matters: When you play NVIDIA-supported games and want better frame rates at higher settings.

    Importance: LOW

    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme does not support DLSS, the average graphics card does.
  • No AV1 encoding
    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme does not support AV1 encoding, the average graphics card does.
    What it is: Supports hardware encoding of AV1 video codec
    When it matters: When you stream or export video and want efficient AV1 encoding on the GPU.

    Importance: LOW

    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme does not support AV1 encoding, the average graphics card does.No vs yes
  • Older PCIe version
    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme supports an older PCIe version than the average graphics card (3 vs 4.0).
    What it is: Version of PCI Express interface supported
    When it matters: When you are pairing the card with an older motherboard and want to avoid leaving bandwidth or future compatibility on the table.

    Importance: LOW

    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme supports an older PCIe version than the average graphics card (3 vs 4.0).3.0 vs 4.0
  • 46% lower FP32 performance
    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme has a lower FP32 performance than the average graphics card (12.3 TFLOPS vs 22.86 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has FP32 performance of 22.86 TFLOPS.
    What it is: Single-precision floating-point performance in TFLOPs
    When it matters: When rendering, AI, or heavy compute work needs strong single-precision throughput.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme has a lower FP32 performance than the average graphics card (12.3 TFLOPS vs 22.86 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has FP32 performance of 22.86 TFLOPS.12.34 TFLOPS vs 22.86 TFLOPS
Total
Overall
Performance
Memory
Platform & Features
Connectivity & Media
Power & Cooling

Graphic comparison of GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme and

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Third-party reviews

United Kingdom
amazon
4.0
36 Reviews
amazon
4.2
31 Reviews
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.0
37 Reviews
Amazon_logo.png
4.3
30 Reviews

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

What customers like about GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme?

  • Excellent thermal performance; consistently stays cool under heavy load (often below 50-60°C).
  • Extremely quiet operation, with some users reporting it as 'totally silent' during gaming.
  • High out-of-the-box factory overclocks that reach high clock speeds without manual tuning.
  • Superior build quality featuring a metal shroud and an advanced copper backplate.
  • VR-friendly port selection, including multiple HDMI outputs and an internal VR-Link port.
  • Attractive aesthetics with customizable RGB Fusion lighting.

What customers dislike about GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme?

  • High premium price compared to standard air-cooled 1080 Ti models and some liquid-cooled competitors.
  • Large physical footprint (triple-slot design) requires significant space in the chassis.
  • Installation challenges in smaller cases due to the length and stiffness of the water-cooling tubes.
  • Reports of minor coil whine in some units under high frame rate scenarios.
  • Limited additional overclocking headroom because the card is already pushed near its limit from the factory.
  • Aorus software has been described by some users as buggy or less stable than third-party alternatives.

Expert reviews

I
ign.com
04/08/2017
Gigabyte AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme Edition 11G Review If you need any information summarizing the performance metrics, benchmarks, o...

The Gigabyte AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme Edition 11G is a high-end, liquid-cooled graphics card that stands out for its pre-installed, closed-loop cooling system. Equipped with a 120mm radiator, a specialized fan, and a copper water block, this hardware effectively drops load temperatures to a cool 58°C to 62°C, which is roughly 10°C lower than standard air-cooled...Read more

H
hardforum.com
22/01/2018
GIGABYTE AORUS GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme Edition Review @ [H]ardOCP

The HardForum review of the Gigabyte Aorus GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme Edition highlights it as a top-tier card utilizing a pre-installed, all-in-one liquid cooling system for exceptional performance. Key advantages include high pre-overclocked speeds (1632 MHz base, 1746 MHz boost), the ability to reach 2.1 GHz manually, and, with the Waterforce block, temperatures staying below...Read more

I
ign.com
18/06/2026
Gigabyte AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme Edition 11G

The IGN Review by Josh Norem awards the Gigabyte AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Waterforce Xtreme Edition 11G a highly favorable 8.8 out of 10 "Great" rating. The review highlights the graphics card as a "silent benchmark killer," focusing heavily on its factory-overclocked performance and integrated All-In-One (AIO) liquid cooling system. It praises the card for offering consumers an...Read more

Video reviews

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