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MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Gaming X Review | 118 Data compared

Avg. price:~£110VRAM:8 GBMemory bus width:256 bitThermal Design Power (TDP):180 W

MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Gaming X Review: Compare 118 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Graphics cards category and whether it is worth buying.

MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Gaming X

5.8/10

▼Worse than 77% of graphics cards

7.1

▼Worse than 58%

5.4

▼Worse than 79%

9.3

★Better than 90%

3.2
Gaming
Gaming
3.2/ 10
✕
What it is
Evaluates core hardware and software specifications for gaming performance.
When it matters
When you want to play demanding mobile games, 3D titles, or run graphics-intensive apps smoothly.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components
45.0%
2.3
Floating-point performance
25.0%
4.9
VRAM
20.0%
1.0
Ray tracing cores / units
10.0%
7.6
PCI Express (PCIe) version
5.5
Video editing
Video editing
5.5/ 10
✕
What it is
Evaluates core hardware and software specifications for video editing performance.
When it matters
When evaluating how effectively this graphics-cards meets your specific video editing needs.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components
35.0%
7.0
AV1 encode
30.0%
4.9
VRAM
20.0%
2.3
Floating-point performance
15.0%
7.6
PCI Express (PCIe) version
3.3
1080p
1080p
3.3/ 10
✕
What it is
Evaluates core hardware and software specifications for 1080p performance.
When it matters
When evaluating how effectively this graphics-cards meets your specific 1080p needs.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components
55.0%
2.3
Floating-point performance
25.0%
4.9
VRAM
10.0%
1.0
Ray tracing cores / units
10.0%
7.6
PCI Express (PCIe) version
3.1
1440p
1440p
3.1/ 10
✕
What it is
Evaluates core hardware and software specifications for 1440p performance.
When it matters
When evaluating how effectively this graphics-cards meets your specific 1440p needs.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components
50.0%
2.3
Floating-point performance
30.0%
4.9
VRAM
15.0%
1.0
Ray tracing cores / units
5.0%
7.6
PCI Express (PCIe) version
3.2
4K
4K
3.2/ 10
✕
What it is
Evaluates core hardware and software specifications for 4k performance.
When it matters
When evaluating how effectively this graphics-cards meets your specific 4k needs.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components
40.0%
2.3
Floating-point performance
35.0%
4.9
VRAM
20.0%
1.0
Ray tracing cores / units
5.0%
7.6
PCI Express (PCIe) version

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Graphics cards model ranking

Ranked #954 of 2,195 models in Graphics cards (Overall score)

Technical Specifications of graphics card MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Gaming X

5.8

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Performance

3.9

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3DMark Time Spy benchmark score

3DMark Port Royal score

PassMark (G3D) result

PassMark (DirectCompute) result

Floating-point performance

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Memory

4.9

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VRAM

Memory type

GDDR5X

GDDR version

Memory bus width

Maximum memory bandwidth

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Platform & Features

7.4

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PCI Express (PCIe) version

PCIe lanes

DirectX version

Vulkan version

OpenGL version

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Connectivity & Media

8.3

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Max displays supported

Max digital resolution

DisplayPort outputs

DisplayPort version

DisplayPort link rates

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Power & Cooling

8.4

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Thermal Design Power (TDP)

Power consumption while under peak load

Recommended PSU wattage

Board power limit

PCIe power spec

180 W

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Design

7.8

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Size

Length

Height

Slot width

Weight

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MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Gaming X vs the average graphics card

Why is MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Gaming X better than the average graphics card?

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23.1% lower PSU requirement
This graphics card 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
0.5 slot/s slimmer design
This graphics card occupies fewer slots than the average graphics card (2 slot/s vs 2.5 slot/s). The average graphics card occupies 2.5 slot/s.
2 slot/s vs 2.5 slot/s
15.7% higher user score
User score
9.3/ 10
✕
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 distribution
▼
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Gaming X
the average graphics card
MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Gaming X has a higher user score than the average graphics card (9.26 vs 8.000).
9.26 vs 8
2 more GPUs supported
This graphics card supports more GPUs in multi-GPU mode than the average graphics card (2 vs 0). The average graphics card supports 0 GPUs in multi-GPU mode.
2 vs 0
1 more DVI outputs
This graphics card 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
MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Gaming X is cheaper than the average graphics card (£110 vs £530).
£110 vs £530
Supports multi-GPU linking
This graphics card supports multi-GPU linking, the average graphics card does not.
More compact card size
This graphics card is more compact than the average graphics card (279x140 x 42 mm vs 285x127 x 52 mm). The average graphics card has a size of 285x127 x 52 mm.
279x140 x 42 mm vs 285x127 x 52 mm

15.7% higher user score
User score
9.3/ 10
✕
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 distribution
▼
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Gaming X
the average graphics card
MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Gaming X has a higher user score than the average graphics card (9.26 vs 8.000).
9.26 vs 8
4.82x cheaper
MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Gaming X is cheaper than the average graphics card (£110 vs £530).
£110 vs £530
2.29x more popular
MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Gaming X is more popular than the average graphics card (9.65 vs 4.2).
9.65 vs 4.22

2 more GPUs supported
This graphics card supports more GPUs in multi-GPU mode than the average graphics card (2 vs 0). The average graphics card supports 0 GPUs in multi-GPU mode.
2 vs 0
Supports multi-GPU linking
This graphics card supports multi-GPU linking, the average graphics card does not.

1 more DVI outputs
This graphics card has more DVI outputs than the average graphics card (1 vs 0). The average graphics card has 0 DVI outputs.
1 vs 0

23.1% lower PSU requirement
This graphics card 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
16.3% lower TDP
This graphics card 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
50% lower idle power draw
This graphics card has a lower idle power draw than the average graphics card (6 W vs 12 W). The average graphics card has an idle power draw of 12 W.
6 W vs 12 W

0.5 slot/s slimmer design
This graphics card occupies fewer slots than the average graphics card (2 slot/s vs 2.5 slot/s). The average graphics card occupies 2.5 slot/s.
2 slot/s vs 2.5 slot/s
More compact card size
This graphics card is more compact than the average graphics card (279x140 x 42 mm vs 285x127 x 52 mm). The average graphics card has a size of 285x127 x 52 mm.
279x140 x 42 mm vs 285x127 x 52 mm

Why is MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Gaming X worse than the average graphics card?

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40 fewer ray tracing cores
This graphics card has fewer ray tracing cores than the average graphics card (0 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 ray tracing cores.
0 vs 40
3.2x larger process node
This graphics card 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
26.3% lower boost clock speed
This graphics card has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (1847 MHz vs 2505 MHz). The average graphics card has a boost GPU clock of 2505 MHz.
1,847 MHz vs 2,505 MHz
20 fewer compute units
This graphics card has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (20 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.
20 vs 40
4 GB less VRAM
This graphics card 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
1 fewer fans
This graphics card has fewer fans than the average graphics card (2 vs 3).
2 vs 3
No DLSS support
This graphics card does not support DLSS, the average graphics card does.
No ray tracing
This graphics card does not support ray tracing, the average graphics card does.

40 fewer ray tracing cores
This graphics card has fewer ray tracing cores than the average graphics card (0 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 ray tracing cores.
0 vs 40
26.3% lower boost clock speed
This graphics card has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (1847 MHz vs 2505 MHz). The average graphics card has a boost GPU clock of 2505 MHz.
1,847 MHz vs 2,505 MHz
20 fewer compute units
This graphics card has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (20 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.
20 vs 40
144 fewer AI cores
This graphics card has fewer AI cores than the average graphics card (0 vs 144). The average graphics card has 144 AI cores.
0 vs 144
33% lower pixel rate
This graphics card has a lower pixel rate than the average graphics card (109.3 GPixel/s vs 163.2 GPixel/s). The average graphics card has a pixel rate of 163.2 GPixel/s.
109.3 GPixel/s vs 163.2 GPixel/s
61.3% lower FP32 performance
This graphics card has a lower FP32 performance than the average graphics card (8.7 TFLOPS vs 22.57 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has FP32 performance of 22.57 TFLOPS.
8.74 TFLOPS vs 22.57 TFLOPS
28.3% lower texture rate
This graphics card has a lower texture rate than the average graphics card (273.3 GTexel/s vs 381.2 GTexel/s). The average graphics card has a texture rate of 381.2 GTexel/s.
273.3 GTexel/s vs 381.2 GTexel/s
16.3% lower base clock speed
This graphics card has a lower base GPU clock than the average graphics card (1607 MHz vs 1920 MHz). The average graphics card has a base GPU clock of 1920 MHz.
1,607 MHz vs 1,920 MHz
82.5% lower ray tracing score
This graphics card has a lower ray tracing score than the average graphics card (1606 points vs 9166 points). The average graphics card has a ray tracing score of 9166 points.
1,606 points vs 9,166 points
48.9% lower gaming score
This graphics card has a lower gaming score than the average graphics card (7500 points vs 14678.5 points). The average graphics card has a gaming score of 14678.5 points.
7,500 points vs 14,678.5 points
31.1% lower PassMark score
This graphics card has a lower PassMark score than the average graphics card (15614 points vs 22653 points). The average graphics card has a PassMark score of 22653 points.
15,614 points vs 22,653 points
24 fewer TMUs
This graphics card has fewer TMUs than the average graphics card (160 vs 184). The average graphics card has 184 TMUs.
160 vs 184
99.5% lower FP16 performance
This graphics card has a lower FP16 performance than the average graphics card (0.2 TFLOPS vs 29.7 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has FP16 performance of 29.725 TFLOPS.
0.15 TFLOPS vs 29.725 TFLOPS
96.3% lower INT8 performance
This graphics card has a lower INT8 performance than the average graphics card (9 TOPS vs 242 TOPS). The average graphics card has INT8 performance of 242 TOPS.
9 TOPS vs 242 TOPS

4 GB less VRAM
This graphics card 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
46.8% slower memory speed
This graphics card has a lower effective memory speed than the average graphics card (10100 MHz vs 19000 MHz). The average graphics card reaches an effective memory speed of 19000 MHz.
10,100 MHz vs 19,000 MHz
27.8% slower VRAM clock
This graphics card has a lower VRAM clock than the average graphics card (1264 MHz vs 1750 MHz). The average graphics card runs its VRAM at 1750 MHz.
1,264 MHz vs 1,750 MHz
91.7% smaller L2 cache
This graphics card has fewer L2 cache than the average graphics card (2 MB vs 24 MB). The average graphics card has 24 MB L2 cache.
2 MB vs 24 MB
27.9% lower memory bandwidth
This graphics card has a lower memory bandwidth than the average graphics card (323 GB/s vs 448 GB/s). The average graphics card has a memory bandwidth of 448 GB/s.
323 GB/s vs 448 GB/s
62.5% smaller L1 cache
This graphics card has fewer L1 cache than the average graphics card (48 vs 128). The average graphics card has 128 L1 cache.
48 vs 128

3.2x larger process node
This graphics card 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
No DLSS support
This graphics card does not support DLSS, the average graphics card does.
No ray tracing
This graphics card does not support ray tracing, the average graphics card does.
Older PCIe version
This graphics card supports an older PCIe version than the average graphics card (3 vs 4).
3.0 vs 4.0
7 older
This graphics card was released earlier than the average graphics card (2016 vs 2023).
May 2016
2,016 vs 2,023
No AI upscalers
This graphics card does not support AI upscalers, the average graphics card does.
No mesh shaders
This graphics card does not support mesh shaders, the average graphics card does.
No vs yes
Worse SAM support
This graphics card offers worse SAM support than the average graphics card (no vs yes).
Older encoder generation
This graphics card uses an older encoder generation than the average graphics card (6 vs 8). The average graphics card uses encoder generation 8.
6 vs 8
Older DirectX version
This graphics card supports an older DirectX version than the average graphics card (12.1 vs 12 Ultimate).
12.1 vs 12 Ultimate
No sampler feedback
This graphics card does not support sampler feedback, the average graphics card does.
No vs yes
68.6% fewer transistors
This graphics card has fewer transistors than the average graphics card (7200 million vs 22900 million). The average graphics card has 22900 million transistors.
7,200 million vs 22,900 million

No AV1 encoding
This graphics card does not support AV1 encoding, the average graphics card does.
No vs yes
No AV1 decoding
This graphics card does not support AV1 decoding, the average graphics card does.
No vs yes
No DSC support
This graphics card does not support DSC, the average graphics card does.
No vs yes
Older DisplayPort version
This graphics card supports an older DisplayPort version than the average graphics card (1.4 vs 1.4a).
1.4 vs 1.4a
Older HDMI version
This graphics card supports an older HDMI version than the average graphics card (2.0b vs 2.1).
2.0b vs 2.1
Narrower encode codec support
This graphics card supports narrower hardware encode codec support than the average graphics card (H.264/H.265/VP9 vs H.264/H.265/AV1/VP9).
H.264/H.265/VP9 vs H.264/H.265/AV1/VP9
Older HDCP version
This graphics card supports an older HDCP version than the average graphics card (2.2 vs 2.3).
2.2 vs 2.3
Older NVDEC generation
This graphics card has a lower NVDEC generation than the average graphics card (3 vs 6). The average graphics card offers NVDEC generation 6.
3 vs 6

1 fewer fans
This graphics card has fewer fans than the average graphics card (2 vs 3).
2 vs 3
No dual BIOS
This graphics card does not include dual BIOS, the average graphics card does.
No vs yes
14 °C higher idle temperature
This graphics card has a higher idle temperature than the average graphics card (51 °C vs 37 °C). The average graphics card has an idle temperature of 37 °C.
51 °C vs 37 °C

15 mm higher card profile
This graphics card is taller than the average graphics card (140 mm vs 125 mm). The average graphics card has a height of 125 mm.
140 mm vs 125 mm

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

tweaktown.com

14/06/2016

Summary of the review

MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Gaming X 8G - TweakTown

The MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Gaming X 8G is a highly praised custom graphics card that pairs NVIDIA's 16nm Pascal architecture with MSI's custom Twin Frozr VI cooling system. Built on a custom PCB with a 10-phase PWM design, it features factory overclocks across three distinct modes: OC, Gaming, and Silent. The card adds a 6-pin PCIe power connector alongside the standard 8-pin connector to deliver an extra 75W of potential power. In performance testing, it consistently beats the NVIDIA Founders Edition across synthetic benchmarks and gaming suites at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K resolutions. Additionally, it features customizable RGB LED lighting controlled via the MSI Gaming App and full compatibility with VR setups. Pros & Cons Acoustic Performance: Completely silent under heavy load, with fans remaining idle until hitting 60°C. Thermal Efficiency: The Twin Frozr VI cooler keeps load temperatures at a low 66°C. Out-of-Box Speed: Delivers faster gaming frame rates than NVIDIA's reference Founders Edition card. Build Quality: Includes a solid, aesthetically pleasing protective backplate and high-quality military-class components. Poor Overclocking: Despite the extra 6-pin power connector, manual overclocking...

hexus.net

17/06/2016

Summary of the review

Review: MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Gaming X

MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Gaming X Review Summary The MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Gaming X is a highly capable, custom-engineered graphics card that features exceptional build quality and a visually pleasing dual-slot design measuring 279mm long. Equipped with the Twin Frozr VI cooling system and Torx 2.0 fans, the card delivers impressive cooling efficiency, keeping temperatures low while running 40% quieter than the previous generation. It operates with a default base clock of 1,683MHz and a boost clock of 1,823MHz, though actual in-game performance is boosted by an automatic average increase to 1,911MHz during testing. The card features customizable RGB lighting, a sturdy backplate, a 10-phase PWM design for power delivery, a zero-RPM silent fan mode for low-load situations, and a three-year warranty. Pros and Cons

kitguru.net

25/07/2016

Summary of the review

MSI GTX 1080 Gaming X 8G RGB SLI Review Are you looking for benchmarks on a specific modern game, or would you like to compare this card's current use...

The MSI GTX 1080 Gaming X 8G RGB SLI configuration delivers exceptional performance across high-resolution and high-refresh-rate gaming setups, achieving an impressive 9.0/10 rating. Tested on a custom Intel 6700K testbench, a single card holds frame rates well above 60 fps at 1440p, while adding a second card via SLI scales beautifully, drastically lifting minimum frame rates to accommodate 120Hz to 165Hz monitors. For example, in Grand Theft Auto V at 1440p, the SLI setup achieves a spectacular 165 fps average. At Ultra HD 4K, the dual-card configuration successfully locks demanding games above the crucial 60 fps threshold. Structurally, the card features a Twin Frozr VI cooler utilising two oversized double ball bearing fans that keep load temperatures in the cool mid-sixties, while a sturdy "rugged anti-bending strip" counteracts card sag. Furthermore, the customizable RGB lighting adds substantial aesthetic appeal for windowed chassis layouts. The core advantages (pros) of this graphics card include its visually stunning design, which the reviewer details as the best-looking GTX 1080 variant tested. It blends silent operation with excellent cooling efficiency, completely cutting off the...

uk.pcmag.com

02/08/2016

Summary of the review

MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Gaming X 8G Review

The MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Gaming X 8G is a premium, factory-overclocked graphics card based on Nvidia's 2016 "Pascal" architecture. Priced at a retail MSRP of $719.99, it features a dual-slot footprint and utilizes the Twin Frozr VI cooling system, which employs dual ball-bearing fans that remain completely turned off until the GPU temperature exceeds 60°C. In benchmark testing across various DirectX 11 and DirectX 12 titles, the card consistently outperformed the stock Nvidia Founders Edition by roughly 10 percent at higher resolutions, successfully achieving playable 60fps frame rates in demanding games at 4K resolution. It features 8GB of fast GDDR5X memory, standard display outputs (three DisplayPort, one HDMI 2.0, and one DVI), and includes the MSI Gaming App for one-click overclocking presets alongside the Afterburner utility for manual tuning up to a stable 2,025MHz. The review highlights several distinct advantages and drawbacks for potential buyers. On the positive side, the card runs exceptionally cool and quiet even under a full overclocked load, provides superior out-of-the-box performance compared to the Founders Edition, and includes highly functional, mature software utilities like...

pcmag.com

12/07/2016

Summary of the review

MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Gaming X 8G Review

The MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Gaming X 8G is recognized as a high-performance, well-constructed graphics card, offering exceptional 4K and VR capabilities along with a quiet, efficient Twin Frozr VI cooling system. It provides significant gaming power, customizable RGB lighting, and robust software, although some users may find the red-only LED element limiting for color matching. While delivering superior performance compared to the Founders Edition, the card fell slightly behind some competing factory-overclocked GTX 1080s in testing and was hindered by limited retail availability. Overall, the review highlights the card as an excellent, fast performer despite these minor drawbacks.

overclock3d.net

09/06/2016

Summary of the review

MSI GTX1080 Gaming X Review

The Overclock3D review of the MSI GTX 1080 Gaming X highlights the card’s exceptional Twin Frozr VI cooler, which delivers high air pressure while operating quietly. Featuring a robust custom PCB and factory-overclocked speeds nearing 1930 MHz, the card provides high-end performance with superior structural integrity. Key advantages include low operating temperatures of 69°C under load, passive cooling capabilities, and added power headroom for overclocking. However, the design is constrained by fixed red styling on the cooler, which limits RGB customization, and its significant size may create installation issues in smaller cases. YouTube ·

bit-tech.net

06/07/2016

Summary of the review

MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Gaming X 8G Review

The MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Gaming X 8G is a premium, custom-cooled graphics card that features a factory-overclocked core clock of 1,708MHz (1,847MHz boost) and 8GB of GDDR5X memory running at an effective 10.1GHz in its top-tier "OC Mode". Built around an 8 PWM phase power design and Military Class 4 components, this robust 1.1kg card is physically large at 279mm long and 140mm tall, but it securely maintains a standard dual-slot form factor. The card features the Twin Frozr VI cooling system, which integrates dual Torx 2.0 fans that turn off completely below 60°C, alongside specialized cooling plates for the memory chips and VRMs to manage thermals. It also includes a rigid structural backplate, customisable RGB LED lighting along the top and front shroud, standard Nvidia reference display outputs, and bundled software licenses for Xsplit and WTFast Premium. Pros & Cons Pros: Outstanding out-of-the-box performance boasting an estimated 14 percent speed increase over reference cards. Highly efficient, comprehensive thermal management that cools the GPU, VRMs, and memory, while operating 40 percent quieter than the previous generation design. Premium build...

kitguru.net

01/07/2016

Summary of the review

MSI GTX 1080 Gaming X 8G RGB Review

The KitGuru review of the MSI GTX 1080 Gaming X 8G RGB highlights it as an exceptionally attractive and highly capable graphics card, earning a strong 9.0 out of 10 rating. Built on Nvidia's Pascal architecture with 2,560 CUDA cores and 8GB of GDDR5X memory, this card is factory overclocked out of the box. In its standard "Gaming Mode," it operates at a base clock of 1,683MHz with a boost of 1,823MHz, which can be further pushed via the bundled software to an "OC Mode" of 1,709MHz base and 1,849MHz boost. KitGuru elected to test the card in its fastest OC Mode to maintain a fair comparison against rival custom offerings from ASUS and Gigabyte. The primary advantages of this card lie in its premium hardware design, robust cooling, and visual aesthetics. A major pro is the inclusion of a beautiful custom dual-fan Twin Frozr VI cooler, which helps the card run cool and remain notably quiet under general gaming conditions, unlike the triple-fan configurations favored by its competitors. It also features a highly desirable RGB lighting system and an...

laptopmedia.com

29/06/2016

Summary of the review

MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Gaming X review – silence, high performance and factory overclock

The LaptopMedia review highlights the MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Gaming X as a premier, silent, and factory-overclocked card based on the Pascal architecture, featuring the advanced Twin Frozr VI cooler for exceptional thermal management. Key pros include Zero Frozr technology for silent operation, stable loads under 70°C, and easy, one-click performance boosts via the MSI Gaming App. Conversely, the review notes that despite the 8 pin power configuration, the card may not exceed 2.1 GHz, with overclocks limited by the silicon lottery rather than the cooling system. Additional cons include a premium price tag compared to the Founders Edition and a large, dual-slot footprint that may not suit smaller builds. YouTube ·

gamersnexus.net

21/06/2016

Summary of the review

MSI GTX 1080 Gaming X Review, Overclocking, & Thermal Benchmarks

MSI GTX 1080 Gaming X Review Summary The MSI GTX 1080 Gaming X features a custom Twin Frozr VI air cooler and a robust 10 phase VRM power design, offering a meaningful thermal upgrade over Nvidia’s reference Founders Edition card. In benchmarks, the card achieved a 23.75% reduction in load temperatures, operating at a stable 45.3°C delta over ambient while running completely silent (0 RPM) during low-load or idle periods. While the custom VBIOS and additional 6-pin power connector provide a stronger power backbone, the actual real-world gaming impact of its factory "OC Mode" (1847MHz boost) is modest, delivering roughly a 1.8% to 5% frame rate increase across titles like GTA V and Shadow of Mordor compared to the stock design. Pros & Cons Pro: Outstanding Twin Frozr VI cooling performance that eliminates thermal throttling. Pro: Zero Frozr fan technology keeps the card entirely silent during low-load tasks. Pro: Upgraded 10 phase power delivery ensures excellent clock-rate stability. Con: Limited overclocking headroom, settling around 2050MHz due to Pascal architecture restrictions. Con: Oversized physical height (Z-height) compromises compatibility with many mini-ITX...

techpowerup.com

13/06/2016

Summary of the review

MSI GTX 1080 Gaming X 8 GBGo to product viewer dialogue for this item. Review

The MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Gaming X 8G features the Twin Frozr VI cooler, offering superior cooling (around 71°C) and near-silent operation. It provides high factory overclocks (1,847 MHz boost) for excellent 1440p and 4K performance, supported by a robust 10-phase power design. YouTube · Drawbacks include its significant 140mm height, which may limit case compatibility. While efficient, it draws over 200W during gaming, and the design features non-customizable red accents that may not suit all builds. YouTube ·

tomshardware.fr

29/03/2017

Summary of the review

Comparatif : 17 GeForce GTX 1080 et 1070 en test

This 2017 review evaluates 17 custom and reference models of the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 and GTX 1070 graphics cards, focusing on their real-world power consumption, operating temperatures, and acoustic performance rather than just raw processing speeds. Among the high-end GTX 1080s, the Gigabyte Xtreme Gaming model stands out as a top performer due to its effective "Stack Fan" cooling arrays that maintain remarkably low voltage-regulator module (VRM) temperatures, alongside its versatile front-panel VR connectivity options. On the other hand, the Palit GameRock Premium Edition delivers exceptionally silent acoustics and robust cooling at the cost of occupying three full motherboard slots. Budget-friendlier configurations like the PNY XLR8 offer a more compact dual-slot frame and standard Founders Edition printed circuit board (PCB) designs, though they tend to run moderately louder under intense gaming loads. The review highlights significant engineering inconsistencies across various aftermarket designs, showing that thick backplates and massive coolers do not always guarantee efficient cooling. For instance, the EVGA GTX 1080 FTW suffers from structural airflow restrictions over its VRMs, causing critical heat zones that can push un-overclocked Micron...

noticias3d.com

No date provided

Summary of the review

MSI GeForce GTX 1080 GAMING X 8G - Noticias3D.com

This review evaluates the MSI GeForce GTX 1080 GAMING X 8G graphics card, highlighting its performance advantages over the standard Founders Edition (FE) model due to a factory overclock of approximately 6%. This clock speed boost directly translates into proportional performance gains across various gaming benchmarks, with a notable performance increase observed in DirectX 12 titles like Hitman compared to DirectX 11. The card features a completely redesigned PCB and a Twin Frozr VI cooling system, which effectively keeps temperatures and noise levels low while leaving additional overclocking headroom for enthusiasts. Priced at around €800, it costs only about €20 euros more than the stock FE model, earning it a strong recommendation for high-end gaming. The card presents several clear advantages and minor drawbacks. On the positive side, it delivers exceptional out-of-the-box performance, comes with multiple configurable software overclocking profiles, and features premium build materials with customizable LED lighting. Furthermore, it is fully prepared for 4K gaming and Virtual Reality (VR), utilizing a highly efficient and silent cooling system. The primary drawback identified in the review is its high overall...

tech.everyeye.it

11/08/2016

Summary of the review

Recensione MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Gaming X 8G

The MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Gaming X 8G is a premium custom graphics card built on NVIDIA's 16nm Pascal architecture, specifically tailored for elite gamers seeking uncompromised performance at 1080p and 2K resolutions. Tested on a system featuring an Intel i7 6700K and 16GB of DDR4 RAM, the GPU delivers exceptional frame rates in demanding titles, such as 105 fps in Batman: Arkham Knight and 122 fps in Just Cause 3 at Full HD. It features an advanced Twin Frozr VI cooling system with dual Torx 2.0 fans, a nickel-plated copper base, and extra heatsinks for the 8GB of Micron GDDR5X memory. Out of the box, the card utilizes NVIDIA GPU Boost 3.0 to automatically elevate its clock speeds up to 1936 MHz. Furthermore, its robust 10-phase power delivery system—powered by a combination of 8-pin and 6-pin connectors—enables stable manual overclocking, pushing the GPU core to 2076 MHz and the memory to an impressive 11,232 MHz for a 5% performance lift. Pros and Cons Pros: Exceptional thermal management, maintaining temperatures at a cool 73–74°C under heavy load and only reaching...

tomshw.it

20/12/2016

Summary of the review

Confronto GTX 1080, tanti modelli in test

This Tom's Hardware review compares ten different GeForce GTX 1080 graphics cards to determine the best purchase options based on noise, temperature, and power consumption. While all models share the same underlying GPU and deliver similar gaming performance, third-party versions generally outperform the Nvidia Founders Edition. The Founders Edition boasts excellent build quality but suffers from high prices, noise, and thermal throttling, making it suitable only for small, poorly ventilated cases. In contrast, models like the Galax/KFA² Hall of Fame offer premium voltage regulator designs and top-tier cooling, though they are heavy and suffer from coil whine. Similarly, the MSI Gaming X 8G stands out for its quiet operation and overall performance, despite hard-to-remove backplates and higher VRM temperatures. The review highlights distinct compromises across budget, liquid-cooled, and massive triple-slot form factors. Budget-friendly models like the Gigabyte G1 Gaming and PNY XLR8 Gaming OC offer good performance-to-price ratios but compromise on acoustics and thermal efficiency. For specialty options, the MSI Sea Hawk utilizes a hybrid Corsair liquid cooler to keep the GPU exceptionally cold, but its fans run constantly at...

tweakers.net

09/06/2016

Summary of the review

MSI GeForce GTX 1080 GAMING X 8G Review - Tweakers

Based on the user-provided review, here is a two-paragraph summary in English: The MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Gaming X 8G is crowned by the reviewer as the new king of high-end graphics cards, completely outclassing previous top-tier options like the GTX 980 Ti and AMD Fury X across all tested resolutions. Built on a 16nm GP104 architecture with 2,560 CUDA cores and 8GB of fast GDDR5X memory, the card automatically boosts its clock speeds well beyond official specifications right out of the box. It provides flawless, high-frame-rate performance for WQHD/1440p gaming at ultra settings and delivers smooth gameplay on 4K or 1440p ultrawide setups at high settings. Equipped with the redesigned Twin Frozr VI cooler featuring double ball bearing fans, the card remains completely silent when idle and barely audible under full load, keeping temperatures around a cool 70°C. Furthermore, it is highly energy-efficient compared to the previous generation, meaning a quality 450W to 550W power supply is more than sufficient for a single-GPU system. Despite its stellar performance, the review highlights several downsides, most notably its steep price tag,...

Third-party reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.

Reviews last updated: June 2026 · How we calculate this

What we like about MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Gaming X

Superior thermal management with the Twin Frozr VI cooler keeping temperatures typically below 70°C
Extremely quiet operation, including a zero RPM fan mode when under 60°C
High out-of-the-box performance surpassing the Founders Edition
Robust build quality featuring a solid metal backplate
Aesthetic design with customizable RGB lighting on the side logo
Decent manual overclocking headroom for enthusiasts

What we don't like about MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Gaming X

Large physical size (dual-slot but very wide) which may cause clearance issues in smaller cases
Higher power consumption during gaming compared to reference designs
Certain LED elements are fixed to red and cannot be changed via software
Positioned at a premium price point compared to some other partner cards
Lacks modern features like ray tracing or DLSS found in newer generations

Verdict

The MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Gaming X is a high-end Pascal-based graphics card featuring 2,560 CUDA cores and 8GB of GDDR5X memory on a 256-bit bus, delivering a 320 GB/s bandwidth. It operates with a factory-overclocked boost clock of up to 1,847 MHz in OC Mode and utilizes a 10-phase PWM design powered by an 8-pin and 6-pin connector. Main pros include its highly efficient Twin Frozr VI cooling system with Torx 2.0 fans that remain silent under 60°C, a sturdy metal backplate, and customizable RGB lighting. However, some users may find the card's significant width problematic for smaller cases or tight SLI configurations, and the fixed-red LED highlights on the shroud limit color-matching flexibility.

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