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GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC Review | 118 Data compared

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  • Avg. price in UK: ~£110
  • Avg. price in US: ~$150
  • VRAM: 8 GB
  • Memory bus width: 256 bit
  • Thermal Design Power (TDP): 180 W

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

5.6

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%

5.2

Technical Score

10.0%

9.2

User score

Good
5.2

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%

4.3

Performance

24.0%

4.2

Memory

12.0%

6.8

Power & Cooling

11.0%

6.8

Platform & Features

5.0%

8.6

Design

4.0%

8.2

Connectivity & Media

Good
9.2

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%

8.8

User reviews

30.0%

10

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.4
(490)

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

Exceptional
  • 6.7
    Gaming

    Score components:

    45.0%

    ?

    Floating-point performance

    25.0%

    2.8

    VRAM

    20.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    10.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 6.0
    Video editing

    Score components:

    35.0%

    7.0

    AV1 encode

    30.0%

    2.8

    VRAM

    20.0%

    ?

    Floating-point performance

    15.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 6.7
    1080p

    Score components:

    55.0%

    ?

    Floating-point performance

    25.0%

    2.8

    VRAM

    10.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    10.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 6.4
    1440p

    Score components:

    50.0%

    ?

    Floating-point performance

    30.0%

    2.8

    VRAM

    15.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    5.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 6.2
    4K

    Score components:

    40.0%

    ?

    Floating-point performance

    35.0%

    2.8

    VRAM

    20.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    5.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

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Best rankings

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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 GeForce GTX 1080 Windforce OC is a high-performance graphics card built on NVIDIA's Pascal architecture, featuring 2560 CUDA cores and 8GB of GDDR5X memory on a 256-bit bus. It operates with a base clock of 1657 MHz and a boost clock of 1797 MHz in OC mode, delivering smooth gameplay at 1080p and 1440p resolutions. Its primary characteristic is the Windforce 3X cooling system, which utilizes three unique blade fans and pure copper composite heat pipes for efficient heat dissipation and semi-passive silent operation. Main pros include its factory overclocked performance, robust metal backplate for structural rigidity, and effective cooling that keeps temperatures stable under load. On the downside, some users find the plastic shroud to feel slightly flimsy compared to premium tiers, it lacks integrated RGB lighting, and it relies on a single 8-pin power connector which may limit extreme manual overclocking headroom.

Technical Specifications of GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC

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%

4.3

Performance

24.0%

4.2

Memory

12.0%

6.8

Power & Cooling

11.0%

6.8

Platform & Features

5.0%

8.6

Design

4.0%

8.2

Connectivity & Media

5.2
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC has a technical score of 5.2 points, which is lower than that of 75.7% 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%

8.8

User reviews

30.0%

10

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.4
(490)

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

9.2
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC has a user score of 9.16 points, which is higher than that of 80.1% 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.
10
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC has a popularity of 10 points, which is higher than 77.9% 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%

5.6

Overall score

40.0%

9.9

Price

6.9
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC has a quality-to-price ratio of 6.9 points, which is higher than 54.4% 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

?
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

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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

8 GB
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC has 8 GB of VRAM, which is less than 57.6% of graphics cards and equal to 25.1% 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 GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC 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

256 bit
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC uses a 256 bit memory bus, which is wider than that of 49.5% of graphics cards and equal to that of 36.1% 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

320.3 GB/s
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC reaches 320.3 GB/s memory bandwidth, which is lower than that of 66.5% 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 GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC 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 GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC 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

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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 GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC 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 GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC 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 GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC 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 GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC 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 GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC 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

1.4
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC supports DisplayPort 1.4, which is older than on 77.3% of graphics cards and equal to 16.2% 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

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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

180 W
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC has a TDP of 180 W, which is lower than that of 58.1% of graphics cards and equal to that of 4.1% 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

180 W
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC draws 180 W under peak load, which is lower than 59.3% of graphics cards and equal to 4.2% of graphics cards.
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

500 W
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC recommends a 500 W PSU, which is lower than that of 76.2% of graphics cards and equal to that of 9.6% 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

216 W
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC has a board power limit of 216 W, which is lower than that of 51.6% of graphics cards and equal to that of 1.2% of graphics cards.
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

280 mm
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC is 280 mm long, which is shorter than 52.8% of graphics cards and equal in length to 1.3% of graphics cards.
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

114 mm
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC is 114 mm tall, which is shorter than 82.5% of graphics cards and equal in height to 0.9% of graphics cards.
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 GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC 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

900 g
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC weighs 900 g, which is lighter than 61.1% of graphics cards and equal in weight to 0.5% of graphics cards.
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GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC vs the average graphics card

  • 23.1% lower PSU requirement
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC has a lower PSU requirement than the average graphics card (500 W vs 650 W). The average graphics card has a PSU requirement of 650 W.
    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

    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC has a lower PSU requirement than the average graphics card (500 W vs 650 W). The average graphics card has a PSU requirement of 650 W.500 W vs 650 W
  • 13 mm lower card height
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC is shorter than the average graphics card (114 mm vs 127 mm). The average graphics card has a height of 127 mm.
    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

    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC is shorter than the average graphics card (114 mm vs 127 mm). The average graphics card has a height of 127 mm.114 mm vs 127 mm
  • 1 more DVI outputs
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC 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 GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC has more DVI outputs than the average graphics card (1 vs 0). The average graphics card has 0 DVI outputs.1 vs 0
  • 4.82x cheaper
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC is cheaper than the average graphics card (£110 vs £530).
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC is cheaper than the average graphics card (£110 vs £530).£110 vs £530
  • 14.5% higher user score
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC has a higher user score than the average graphics card (9.16 vs 8.000).
    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.
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC has a higher user score than the average graphics card (9.16 vs 8.000).9.16 vs 8
  • 16.3% lower TDP
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC has a lower TDP than the average graphics card (180 W vs 215 W). The average graphics card has a TDP of 215 W.
    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

    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC has a lower TDP than the average graphics card (180 W vs 215 W). The average graphics card has a TDP of 215 W.180 W vs 215 W
  • Supports multi-GPU linking
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC 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 GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC supports multi-GPU linking, the average graphics card does not.
  • 4.34x more popular
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC is more popular than the average graphics card (10.00 vs 2.303).
    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.
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC is more popular than the average graphics card (10.00 vs 2.303).10 vs 2.3
  • Supports multi-GPU linking
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC supports multi-GPU linking, the average graphics card does not.
  • Supports NVLink
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC supports NVLink, the average graphics card does not.
  • 1 more DVI outputs
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC has more DVI outputs than the average graphics card (1 vs 0). The average graphics card has 0 DVI outputs.
  • 23.1% lower PSU requirement
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC has a lower PSU requirement than the average graphics card (500 W vs 650 W). The average graphics card has a PSU requirement of 650 W.
  • 16.3% lower TDP
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC has a lower TDP than the average graphics card (180 W vs 215 W). The average graphics card has a TDP of 215 W.
  • 13 mm lower card height
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC is shorter than the average graphics card (114 mm vs 127 mm). The average graphics card has a height of 127 mm.

Total
Overall
Platform & Features
Connectivity & Media
Power & Cooling
Design
  • 29.2% lower boost clock speed
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,771 MHz vs 2,500 MHz). The average graphics card has a boost GPU clock of 2,500 MHz.
  • 20 fewer compute units
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (20 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.
  • 31.4% lower pixel rate
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC has a lower pixel rate than the average graphics card (113.3 GPixel/s vs 165.2 GPixel/s). The average graphics card has a pixel rate of 165.2 GPixel/s.
  • 24.8% lower texture rate
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC has a lower texture rate than the average graphics card (283.4 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s). The average graphics card has a texture rate of 376.8 GTexel/s.
  • 15% lower base clock speed
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC has a lower base GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,632 MHz vs 1,920 MHz). The average graphics card has a base GPU clock of 1,920 MHz.
  • 24 fewer TMUs
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC has fewer TMUs than the average graphics card (160 vs 184). The average graphics card has 184 TMUs.
  • 99.5% lower FP16 performance
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC has a lower FP16 performance than the average graphics card (0.1 TFLOPS vs 29.5 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has FP16 performance of 29.5 TFLOPS.
  • 47.4% slower memory speed
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC has a lower effective memory speed than the average graphics card (10,000 MHz vs 19,000 MHz). The average graphics card reaches an effective memory speed of 19,000 MHz.
  • 4 GB less VRAM
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (8 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.
  • 93.8% smaller L2 cache
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC has fewer L2 cache than the average graphics card (2 MB vs 32 MB). The average graphics card has 32 MB L2 cache.
  • 28.5% slower VRAM clock
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC has a lower VRAM clock than the average graphics card (1,251 MHz vs 1,750 MHz). The average graphics card runs its VRAM at 1,750 MHz.
  • 28.5% lower memory bandwidth
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC has a lower memory bandwidth than the average graphics card (320.3 GB/s vs 448 GB/s). The average graphics card has a memory bandwidth of 448 GB/s.
  • 62.5% smaller L1 cache
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC 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 GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC 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 GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC does not support DLSS, the average graphics card does.
  • Older PCIe version
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC supports an older PCIe version than the average graphics card (3 vs 4.0).
  • 7 older
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC was released earlier than the average graphics card (2,016 vs 2,023).
  • No mesh shaders
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC does not support mesh shaders, the average graphics card does.
  • Older encoder generation
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC 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 GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC does not support sampler feedback, the average graphics card does.
  • 67.1% fewer transistors
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC has fewer transistors than the average graphics card (7,200 million vs 21,900 million). The average graphics card has 21,900 million transistors.
  • No AV1 encoding
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC does not support AV1 encoding, the average graphics card does.
  • No AV1 decoding
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC does not support AV1 decoding, the average graphics card does.
  • No DSC support
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC does not support DSC, the average graphics card does.
  • Older DisplayPort version
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC supports an older DisplayPort version than the average graphics card (1.4 vs 1.4a).
  • Older HDMI version
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC supports an older HDMI version than the average graphics card (2.0b vs 2.1).
  • Older HDCP version
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC supports an older HDCP version than the average graphics card (2.2 vs 2.3).
  • No RGB lighting
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC does not include RGB lighting, the average graphics card does.
  • 29.2% lower boost clock speed
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,771 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 GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,771 MHz vs 2,500 MHz). The average graphics card has a boost GPU clock of 2,500 MHz.1771 MHz vs 2500 MHz
  • 3.2x larger process node
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC 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 GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC 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
  • 20 fewer compute units
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (20 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 GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (20 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.20 vs 40
  • No DLSS support
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC 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 GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC does not support DLSS, the average graphics card does.No vs yes
  • 47.4% slower memory speed
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC has a lower effective memory speed than the average graphics card (10,000 MHz vs 19,000 MHz). The average graphics card reaches an effective memory speed of 19,000 MHz.
    What it is: Effective memory data rate combining clock and bus width
    When it matters: When you compare how quickly each card can push data through its memory subsystem.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC has a lower effective memory speed than the average graphics card (10,000 MHz vs 19,000 MHz). The average graphics card reaches an effective memory speed of 19,000 MHz.10000 MHz vs 19000 MHz
  • 4 GB less VRAM
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (8 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB 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

    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (8 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.8 GB vs 12 GB
  • 31.4% lower pixel rate
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC has a lower pixel rate than the average graphics card (113.3 GPixel/s vs 165.2 GPixel/s). The average graphics card has a pixel rate of 165.2 GPixel/s.
    What it is: Number of pixels the GPU can render per second
    When it matters: When you play at high resolutions or care about older raster-heavy games.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC has a lower pixel rate than the average graphics card (113.3 GPixel/s vs 165.2 GPixel/s). The average graphics card has a pixel rate of 165.2 GPixel/s.113.3 GPixel/s vs 165.2 GPixel/s
  • No AV1 encoding
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC 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 GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC does not support AV1 encoding, the average graphics card does.
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Platform & Features
Connectivity & Media
Design

Graphic comparison of GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC and

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Third-party reviews

United Kingdom
amazon
4.4
490 Reviews

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

What customers like about GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC?

  • Strong performance for 1080p and 1440p gaming at high settings
  • Efficient Windforce 3X cooling system that maintains stable temperatures under load
  • Generally quieter operation compared to Founders Edition models
  • Competitive pricing, often being one of the most affordable GTX 1080 variants
  • Solid build quality featuring a protective metal backplate
  • Factory overclocked for extra out-of-the-box speed

What customers dislike about GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC?

  • Can be louder than competitors from brands like EVGA or MSI at default fan settings
  • Limited overclocking headroom compared to higher-end 'G1 Gaming' or 'Xtreme' editions
  • Physical size is quite long, which may cause clearance issues in smaller PC cases
  • Plastic fan shroud can feel somewhat flimsy compared to metal versions
  • Reports of coil whine when the card is pushed to extreme fan speeds
  • Lack of RGB lighting customization in the standard Windforce OC model

Expert reviews

T
tech4gamers.com
30/11/2017
Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1080 Windforce OC Review.

The Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1080 Windforce OC is a dual-slot, factory-overclocked graphics card featuring 8GB of GDDR5X VRAM and a base core clock of 1632 MHz in OC mode. Built on Nvidia's 16nm Pascal architecture, it utilises a Windforce triple-cooling solution composed of three 80mm 3D Active Fans, two interconnected nickel-plated aluminium heatsinks, and three 8mm composite heat...Read more

C
comptoir-hardware.com
31/10/2016
Test • Gigabyte GTX 1080 G1 Gaming

The Gigabyte GTX 1080 G1 Gaming relies on the GP104 Pascal architecture manufactured on a 16 nm process, positioning itself as a custom alternative to NVIDIA’s original Founders Edition model. Designed to surpass the aging GTX 980 Ti, this graphics card balances factory-overclocked performance with refined structural and thermal changes. The layout of the review covers deep dives...Read more

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Video reviews

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