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MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X Review | 118 Data compared

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  • Avg. price: ~£730
  • VRAM: 8 GB
  • Memory bus width: 256 bit
  • Thermal Design Power (TDP): 180 W

MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X review. Compare 118 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among graphics cards and if it is worth buying.

5.2

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%

6.0

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%

4.2

Performance

24.0%

4.0

Memory

12.0%

7.4

Power & Cooling

11.0%

6.5

Platform & Features

5.0%

8.8

Design

4.0%

8.1

Connectivity & Media

Good
6.0

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%

7.8

User reviews

30.0%

1.7

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
3.9
(5)

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

Good
  • 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 MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X is a high-performance graphics card featuring a factory-overclocked Pascal GP104-400 GPU with 2560 CUDA cores and 8GB of GDDR5X memory on a 256-bit bus. It operates with a base clock of up to 1708 MHz and a boost clock reaching 1847 MHz in OC Mode, supported by a 180W TDP and a single 8-pin power connector. The card's primary characteristic is its hybrid cooling system, which combines a pre-installed Corsair all-in-one liquid cooler with a 120mm radiator for the GPU core and a dedicated radial fan for the VRM and memory components. Main pros include exceptionally low operating temperatures (often below 50°C), whisper-quiet operation, and stable high-clock performance due to reduced thermal throttling. Potential cons include its higher premium price compared to standard air-cooled 1080 models and the added installation complexity or space requirements for the external 120mm radiator.

Technical Specifications of MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X

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%

4.2

Performance

24.0%

4.0

Memory

12.0%

7.4

Power & Cooling

11.0%

6.5

Platform & Features

5.0%

8.8

Design

4.0%

8.1

Connectivity & Media

5.2
MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X has a technical score of 5.16 points, which is lower than that of 76.1% 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%

7.8

User reviews

30.0%

1.7

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
3.9
(5)

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

6.0
MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X has a user score of 5.97 points, which is lower than that of 98% 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.
1.7
MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X has a popularity of 1.7 points, which is lower than 52.7% 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%

5.2

Overall score

40.0%

6.7

Price

5.7
MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X has a quality-to-price ratio of 5.7 points, which is lower than 87.7% 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

?
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

?
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
MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X 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
MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X 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
MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X 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 GB/s
MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X reaches 320 GB/s memory bandwidth, which is lower than that of 66.6% of graphics cards and equal to that of 2.9% 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
MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X 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
MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X 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

1.3
MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X supports Vulkan 1.3, which is older than on 73.5% of graphics cards and equal to 22.5% 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

4.5
MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X supports OpenGL 4.5, which is older than on 95.2% of graphics cards and equal to 3.3% 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
MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X 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

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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
MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X 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
MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X 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

5.4 Gbps
MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X supports DisplayPort link rates up to 5.4 Gbps, which is slower than on 90.9% of graphics cards and equal to 8% 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

180 W
MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X 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

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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

500 W
MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X 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
MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X 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

270 mm
MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X is 270 mm long, which is shorter than 57.4% of graphics cards and equal in length to 0.3% 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

111 mm
MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X is 111 mm tall, which is shorter than 89.6% of graphics cards and equal in height to 5.6% 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
MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X 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

1,249 g
MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X weighs 1249 g, which is heavier than 65.2% of graphics cards.
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MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X vs the average graphics card

  • 23.1% lower PSU requirement
    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X 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

    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X 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 mm lower card height
    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X is shorter than the average graphics card (111 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

    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X is shorter than the average graphics card (111 mm vs 127 mm). The average graphics card has a height of 127 mm.111 mm vs 127 mm
  • 1 more DVI outputs
    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X 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

    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X has more DVI outputs than the average graphics card (1 vs 0). The average graphics card has 0 DVI outputs.1 vs 0
  • Uses hybrid cooling
    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X uses hybrid cooling, the average graphics card does not.
    What it is: Whether the graphics card uses a combined air-water cooling design.
    When it matters: When you are considering a hybrid-cooled card for lower load temperatures.

    Importance: LOW

    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X uses hybrid cooling, the average graphics card does not.
  • 17 °C lower load temperature
    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X has a lower load temperature than the average graphics card (50 °C vs 67 °C). The average graphics card has a load temperature of 67 °C.
    What it is: GPU temperature measured while the graphics card is under load.
    When it matters: When you care how hot the GPU runs during long gaming or render sessions.

    Importance: LOW

    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X has a lower load temperature than the average graphics card (50 °C vs 67 °C). The average graphics card has a load temperature of 67 °C.50 °C vs 67 °C
  • 8 °C lower idle temperature
    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X 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

    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X 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
  • 16.3% lower TDP
    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X 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

    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X 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 NVLink
    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X supports NVLink, the average graphics card does not.
    What it is: Supports NVIDIA NVLink or bridge connection for multi-GPU setups
    When it matters: When a professional or niche multi-GPU workflow needs a bridge connection.

    Importance: LOW

    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X supports NVLink, the average graphics card does not.
  • Supports NVLink
    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X supports NVLink, the average graphics card does not.
  • 1 more DVI outputs
    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X 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
    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X 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.
  • Uses hybrid cooling
    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X uses hybrid cooling, the average graphics card does not.
  • 17 °C lower load temperature
    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X has a lower load temperature than the average graphics card (50 °C vs 67 °C). The average graphics card has a load temperature of 67 °C.
  • 16.3% lower TDP
    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X has a lower TDP than the average graphics card (180 W vs 215 W). The average graphics card has a TDP of 215 W.
  • 8 °C lower idle temperature
    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X 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.
  • 16 mm lower card height
    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X is shorter than the average graphics card (111 mm vs 127 mm). The average graphics card has a height of 127 mm.

Total
Platform & Features
Connectivity & Media
Power & Cooling
Design
  • 26.1% lower boost clock speed
    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,847 MHz vs 2,500 MHz). The average graphics card has a boost GPU clock of 2,500 MHz.
  • 20 fewer compute units
    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (20 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.
  • 27.5% lower texture rate
    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X has a lower texture rate than the average graphics card (273.3 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s). The average graphics card has a texture rate of 376.8 GTexel/s.
  • 11% lower base clock speed
    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X has a lower base GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,708 MHz vs 1,920 MHz). The average graphics card has a base GPU clock of 1,920 MHz.
  • 24 fewer TMUs
    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X has fewer TMUs than the average graphics card (160 vs 184). The average graphics card has 184 TMUs.
  • 46.8% slower memory speed
    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X has a lower effective memory speed than the average graphics card (10,108 MHz vs 19,000 MHz). The average graphics card reaches an effective memory speed of 19,000 MHz.
  • 4 GB less VRAM
    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X 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
    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X has fewer L2 cache than the average graphics card (2 MB vs 32 MB). The average graphics card has 32 MB L2 cache.
  • 96.9% less Infinity Cache
    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X has fewer Infinity Cache than the average graphics card (2 MB vs 64 MB). The average graphics card has 64 MB Infinity Cache.
  • 28.6% lower memory bandwidth
    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X has a lower memory bandwidth than the average graphics card (320 GB/s vs 448 GB/s). The average graphics card has a memory bandwidth of 448 GB/s.
  • 62.5% smaller L1 cache
    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X 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
    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X 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
    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X does not support DLSS, the average graphics card does.
  • Older PCIe version
    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X supports an older PCIe version than the average graphics card (3 vs 4.0).
  • 7 older
    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X was released earlier than the average graphics card (2,016 vs 2,023).
  • No mesh shaders
    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X does not support mesh shaders, the average graphics card does.
  • Older Vulkan version
    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X supports an older Vulkan version than the average graphics card (1.3 vs 1.4).
  • Worse SAM support
    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X offers worse SAM support than the average graphics card (no vs yes).
  • No sampler feedback
    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X does not support sampler feedback, the average graphics card does.
  • Older OpenGL version
    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X supports an older OpenGL version than the average graphics card (4.5 vs 4.6).
  • 67.1% fewer transistors
    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X 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
    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X does not support AV1 encoding, the average graphics card does.
  • No AV1 decoding
    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X does not support AV1 decoding, the average graphics card does.
  • No DSC support
    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X does not support DSC, the average graphics card does.
  • Older DisplayPort version
    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X supports an older DisplayPort version than the average graphics card (1.4 vs 1.4a).
  • Older HDMI version
    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X supports an older HDMI version than the average graphics card (2.0b vs 2.1).
  • Older HDCP version
    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X supports an older HDCP version than the average graphics card (2.2 vs 2.3).
  • No fan stop
    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X does not support fan stop, the average graphics card does.
  • 36 dB noisier at idle
    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X has a higher idle noise level than the average graphics card (36 dB vs 0 dB). The average graphics card has an idle noise level of 0 dB.
  • No RGB lighting
    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X does not include RGB lighting, the average graphics card does.
  • 3.2x larger process node
    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X 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

    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X 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
  • 26.1% lower boost clock speed
    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,847 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

    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,847 MHz vs 2,500 MHz). The average graphics card has a boost GPU clock of 2,500 MHz.1847 MHz vs 2500 MHz
  • 20 fewer compute units
    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X 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

    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X 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
    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X 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

    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X does not support DLSS, the average graphics card does.
  • 46.8% slower memory speed
    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X has a lower effective memory speed than the average graphics card (10,108 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

    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X has a lower effective memory speed than the average graphics card (10,108 MHz vs 19,000 MHz). The average graphics card reaches an effective memory speed of 19,000 MHz.10108 MHz vs 19000 MHz
  • 4 GB less VRAM
    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X 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

    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X 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
  • No fan stop
    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X does not support fan stop, the average graphics card does.
    What it is: Fans automatically stop when temperature is low
    When it matters: When the PC spends a lot of time at idle and you care about keeping the desktop quiet during browsing, office work, or video playback.

    Importance: LOW

    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X does not support fan stop, the average graphics card does.
  • No AV1 encoding
    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X 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

    MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X does not support AV1 encoding, the average graphics card does.No vs yes
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Overall
Performance
Memory
Platform & Features
Connectivity & Media
Power & Cooling
Design

Graphic comparison of MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X and

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Third-party reviews

United Kingdom
amazon
3.9
5 Reviews

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

What customers like about MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X?

  • Excellent thermal performance with GPU temperatures often staying below 50°C under heavy load.
  • Liquid cooling solution by Corsair effectively eliminates thermal throttling, allowing for higher sustained boost clocks.
  • Operation is nearly inaudible when radiator fan speeds are manually adjusted to around 60-70%.
  • Compact 120mm radiator design fits into most standard chassis with a rear fan mount.
  • Includes a matte black solid backplate for improved aesthetics and component protection.
  • High build quality and premium feel reported by long-term users.

What customers dislike about MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk X?

  • Pump and fans can be audible at idle because they do not feature a semi-passive (zero RPM) mode, unlike some air-cooled models.
  • Factory power limit is relatively restrictive (often capped at 105%), which can bottleneck extreme overclocking despite low temperatures.
  • Hybrid cooling design primarily targets the GPU core; VRM and memory cooling are less effective than the core liquid cooling.
  • The 12-inch (approx. 35cm) radiator tubing may be considered short for very large cases or front-mounting configurations.
  • Higher price point compared to many high-performing air-cooled GTX 1080 variants.
  • Some users reported instances of coil whine under specific high-load scenarios.

Expert reviews

P
pcunboxing.com
07/07/2024
Water Meets Boat MSI GeForce GTX 1080 SEA HAWK XDo you need benchmark data or overclocking results summarized from these specific reviews? Copy

The MSI GeForce GTX 1080 SEA HAWK X is an eight-year-old, all-in-one (AIO) liquid-cooled graphics card created in collaboration with Corsair. Built on NVIDIA's Pascal architecture with 2,560 CUDA cores and 8GB of GDDR5X memory, it features a 120 mm radiator setup paired with a white LED fan. In testing on a modern Intel i9-13900K platform, a teardown and refresh using Cooler Master...Read more

G
gamersnexus.net
30/08/2016
EVGA GTX 1080 FTW Hybrid Review vs. MSI Sea Hawk X

This review of the EVGA GTX 1080 FTW Hybrid highlights its position as a superior technical value compared to the MSI Sea Hawk X, primarily due to its $730 MSRP and high-quality custom 10-phase vCore VRM PCB. A major pro is its innovative VRAM cooling solution, which uses a copper plate to sink heat from the memory directly into the liquid cooling loop. This design allows for higher...Read more

T
tomshardware.com
09/12/2016
Tom's Hardware: MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk Review

The MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Sea Hawk is a hybrid liquid-cooled graphics card featuring a closed-loop cooling solution developed in partnership with Corsair. Built directly on Nvidia’s reference PCB design, the card relies on a premium copper block and an external 120mm aluminum radiator to cool the GP104 GPU, while employing a standard radial shroud fan to cool the surrounding memory...Read more

G
guru3d.com
01/07/2016
Guru3D: MSI GeForce GTX 1080 SEA HAWK X review

The MSI GeForce GTX 1080 SEA HAWK X is a premium, factory-overclocked graphics card engineered through a partnership between MSI and Corsair. Based on Nvidia’s 16nm Pascal GP104 architecture, the card operates with an aggressive out-of-the-box base clock of 1683 MHz and a boost clock of 1822 MHz. Its defining feature is a hybrid cooling setup utilizing a Corsair H55 closed-loop...Read more

P
pcunboxing.com
07/07/2024
Water Meets Boat MSI GeForce GTX 1080 SEA HAWK X Graphics Card

The MSI GeForce GTX 1080 SEA HAWK X is an eight-year-old, all-in-one (AIO) liquid-cooled graphics card featuring the NVIDIA Pascal architecture, 2,560 CUDA cores, and 8GB of GDDR5X memory. Originally launched in 2016 in collaboration with Corsair, this 2-slot card utilizes a 120mm liquid cooling loop to directly cool the GPU core, while a separate integrated blower fan manages the...Read more

I
igorslab.de
11/10/2016
Alphacool Eiswolf GPX-Pro 240 AiO: Kompakte Wasserkühlung für Grafikkarten im Test

The Alphacool Eiswolf GPX-Pro review evaluates a custom-built 240 mm graphics card All-in-One (AiO) water cooler deployed on an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080/1070 reference PCB, directly competing against the hybrid-cooled MSI GTX 1080 Sea Hawk. A standout feature is Alphacool's patented "Reverse Flow" pump design, which sucks rather than pushes liquid to eliminate micro-bubbles and lower...Read more

(Translated)Show original
H
hardwareluxx.de
27/01/2017
Hybrid-Kühlung: Corsair Hydro GFX GTX 1080 im Test

The Corsair Hydro GFX GTX 1080, developed in cooperation with MSI (who markets the identical card as the SeaHawk), is a hybrid-cooled graphics card designed to combine the strengths of liquid and air cooling. Built on NVIDIA's 16nm GP104 Pascal architecture, the card features three software-defined operating modes: Silent, Gaming, and an OC mode that pushes the base clock to 1,708...Read more

(Translated)Show original

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