OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Graphics cards Methodology v3.0
Graphics cards Methodology v3.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Graphics cards Methodology v3.0: the technical score from the specifications is the base, and independent expert and video reviews (up to ±0.5 points), owner opinions (up to ±0.3) and best-of lists (up to +0.3) move it up or down.
Explore Graphics cards Methodology v3.0

MSI GeForce RTX 3080 Gaming Trio review: 117 specs compared

Avg. price:~£1,190VRAM:10 GBMemory bus width:320 bitThermal Design Power (TDP):340 W

MSI GeForce RTX 3080 Gaming Trio Review: Compare 117 technical specifications and 10 expert and video reviews to see how this product ranks in the Graphics cards category and whether it is worth buying.

MSI GeForce RTX 3080 Gaming Trio
7.7/10

Overall score

Score
7.7/ 10
✕
What it is
Our main score for this model, 1–10. It combines specs, expert reviews, best-of lists and owners.
How we count it
Parts: Technical score 40%, Reviews score 25%, List score 25%, Sentiment score 10%
Marks: Each part gets a mark out of 10. For reviews, lists and owners, a typical model in this category gets about 8 and the best one gets 10.
No data yet: A part with no data shows "?". It counts as the mark of a weaker model in this category (4 in 5 models with data score higher). This way, models with reviews, lists and owners usually come out ahead.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 59% of models
Score components

40%

7.4

Technical score

25%

8.3

Reviews score

25%

?

List scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.5, the mark of a weaker model in this category

10%

7.4

Sentiment score

â–²Better than 59% of graphics cards
6.6

Value for money

Value for money
6.6/ 10
✕
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 distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 85% of models
Score components

70%

7.7

Overall score

30%

4.2

Price

â–¼Worse than 85%
7.4

Technical score

Technical score
7.4/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 40% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 58% of models
Score components

44%

7.2

Performance

24%

6.9

Memory

12%

7.6

Power

11%

9.2

Features

5%

5.7

Design

4%

9.2

Connectivity

â–²Better than 58%
8.3

Reviews score

Reviews score
8.3/ 10
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.6 for now.
Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 77% of models

80%

8.3

Average grade

20%

8.6

Popularity

Grades by review (10)
10 video reviews, each counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
â–²Better than 77%
?

List score

List score
7.5/ 10
✕
What it is
How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
How we count it
Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 25% of the overall score.
Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
Lists with this model (0)
Not in any best-of list yet, so this part counts as 7.5. Models in a list get 8 to 10.
Not in any best-of list yet
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Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.

What reviewers say about the MSI GeForce RTX 3080 Gaming Trio

Based on 0 · 10

Reviewers praise its cool, quiet running and strong performance, but many find it overpriced and dislike the backplate.
Praised
Criticised
Pick a topic to see who said what

What owners say about the MSI GeForce RTX 3080 Gaming Trio

Based on 238 owners sharing their experience in online comments

68%positive13%mixed19%negative

Owners praise strong, lasting gaming performance, while limited VRAM, high power use, and heat cause the most frustration.

What owners dislike

  • Several owners say the card runs very hot and heats up small rooms, with some models hitting over 100 C in the VRM or hotspot without new pads or paste.7
  • Owners say 10GB of VRAM runs out in newer games at 1440p and 4K, causing stutters or forcing lower texture settings.4

Points mentioned by at least 3 owners, most mentioned first.

Loading category ranking...

Technical Specifications of graphics card MSI GeForce RTX 3080 Gaming Trio

Technical score
Technical score
7.4/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 40% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 58% of models
Score components:

44%

7.2

Performance

24%

6.9

Memory

12%

7.6

Power

11%

9.2

Features

5%

5.7

Design

4%

9.2

Connectivity

7.4
Reviews score
8.3
List score
?
Value for money
Value for money
6.6/ 10
✕
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 distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 85% of models
Score components:

70%

7.7

Overall score

30%

4.2

Price

6.6
3DMark Time Spy benchmark score
15,000 points
Market range: <4.1k points – >30.1k points
This graphics card scores 15,000 points in 3DMark Time Spy, which is higher than 51.4% of graphics cards and equal to 0.5% of graphics cards.
3DMark Port Royal score
11,958 points
Market range: <0 points – >22.4k points
This graphics card scores 11,958 points in 3DMark Port Royal, which is higher than 61.4% of graphics cards.
PassMark (G3D) result
26,572 points
Market range: <7.7k points – >36k points
This graphics card scores 26,572 points in PassMark G3D, which is higher than 59.8% of graphics cards.
PassMark (DirectCompute) result
12,906 points
Market range: <3.1k points – >26.3k points
This graphics card scores 12,906 points in PassMark DirectCompute, which is higher than 52.3% of graphics cards.
FP32 performance
31.6 TFLOPS
Market range: <3.94 TFLOPS – >56.3 TFLOPS
This graphics card delivers 31.6 TFLOPS FP32 performance, which is higher than that of 64.3% of graphics cards and equal to that of 0.2% of graphics cards.
Show more
What reviewers say
VRAM
10 GB
Market range: <4 GB – >16 GB
This graphics card has 10 GB of VRAM, which is less than 55.5% of graphics cards and equal to 1.3% of graphics cards.
Memory type
GDDR6X
This graphics card uses GDDR6X memory, which is newer than on 57.1% of graphics cards and equal to 22.4% of graphics cards.
Memory bus width
320 bit
Market range: <128 bit – >384 bit
This graphics card uses a 320 bit memory bus, which is wider than that of 86.2% of graphics cards and equal to that of 2% of graphics cards.
Maximum memory bandwidth
760.3 GB/s
Market range: <168 GB/s – >960 GB/s
This graphics card reaches 760.3 GB/s memory bandwidth, which is higher than that of 81.5% of graphics cards and equal to that of 0.2% of graphics cards.
Effective memory speed
19,000 MHz
Market range: <7k MHz – >28k MHz
This graphics card reaches an effective memory speed of 19,000 MHz, which is faster than that of 48.5% of graphics cards and equal to that of 3.2% of graphics cards.
Show more
PCI Express (PCIe) version
4
This graphics card supports PCIe 4, which is newer than on 22.5% of graphics cards and equal to 50.5% of graphics cards.
PCIe lanes
x16
This graphics card uses x16 PCIe lanes, which is more than 24.1% of graphics cards and equal to 75.9% of graphics cards.
DirectX version
12 Ultimate
This graphics card supports DirectX 12 Ultimate, which is more advanced than on 22.8% of graphics cards and equal to 77.2% of graphics cards.
Vulkan version
1.4
This graphics card supports Vulkan 1.4, which is more advanced than on 20.8% of graphics cards and equal to 79.2% of graphics cards.
OpenGL version
4.6
This graphics card supports OpenGL 4.6, which is more advanced than on 2% of graphics cards and equal to 98% of graphics cards.
Show more
Max displays supported
4
Market range: <4 – >4
This graphics card supports up to 4 displays, which is more than 9% of graphics cards and equal to 88.2% of graphics cards.
Max digital resolution
7680x4320
This graphics card supports a maximum digital resolution of 7680x4320, which is higher than that of 9.2% of graphics cards and equal to that of 90.9% of graphics cards.
DisplayPort outputs
3
Market range: <1 – >3
This graphics card offers 3 DisplayPort outputs, which is more than 21.7% of graphics cards and equal to 76% of graphics cards.
DisplayPort version
1.4a
This graphics card supports DisplayPort 1.4a, which is more advanced than on 19.3% of graphics cards and equal to 46.3% of graphics cards.
DisplayPort link rates
8.1 Gbps
Market range: <5.4 Gbps – >80 Gbps
This graphics card supports DisplayPort link rates up to 8.1 Gbps, which is slower than on 65.3% of graphics cards and equal to 22.5% of graphics cards.
Show more
Thermal Design Power (TDP)
340 W
Market range: <86 W – >360 W
This graphics card has a TDP of 340 W, which is higher than that of 85.8% of graphics cards and equal to that of 0.4% of graphics cards.
Power consumption while under peak load
340 W
Market range: <106 W – >365 W
This graphics card draws 340 W under peak load, which is higher than 83.2% of graphics cards and equal to 0.8% of graphics cards.
Recommended PSU wattage
750 W
Market range: <450 W – >850 W
This graphics card recommends a 750 W PSU, which is higher than that of 65.4% of graphics cards and equal to that of 16.8% of graphics cards.
Board power limit
347 W
Market range: <107 W – >400 W
This graphics card has a board power limit of 347 W, which is higher than that of 82.1% of graphics cards.
PCIe power spec
340 W
Show more
What reviewers say
Size
323x 140x 56 mm
Length
323 mm
Market range: <200 mm – >337 mm
This graphics card is 323 mm long, which is longer than 76.5% of graphics cards and equal in length to 0.8% of graphics cards.
Height
140 mm
Market range: <109 mm – >146 mm
This graphics card is 140 mm tall, which is taller than 79.5% of graphics cards and equal in height to 5.4% of graphics cards.
Slot width
3 slot/s
Market range: <2 slot/s – >3.25 slot/s
This graphics card occupies 3 slot/s, which is wider than 70.7% of graphics cards and equal in width to 16.8% of graphics cards.
Weight
1,565 g
Market range: <541 g – >2k g
This graphics card weighs 1,565 g, which is heavier than 76.9% of Graphics cards and equal to 0.2% of Graphics cards.
Show more
What reviewers say

MSI GeForce RTX 3080 Gaming Trio vs the average graphics card

246810TotalPerformanceMemoryFeaturesConnectivityPowerDesign
  • 128 bit wider memory bus
    This graphics card has a wider memory bus than the average graphics card (320 bit vs 192 bit). The average graphics card has a memory bus width of 192 bit.
    320 bit vs 192 bit
  • 69.7% higher memory bandwidth
    This graphics card has a higher memory bandwidth than the average graphics card (760.3 GB/s vs 448 GB/s). The average graphics card has a memory bandwidth of 448 GB/s.
    760.3 GB/s vs 448 GB/s
  • 28 more compute units
    This graphics card has more compute units than the average graphics card (68 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.
    68 vs 40
  • 28 more ray tracing cores
    This graphics card has more ray tracing cores than the average graphics card (68 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 ray tracing cores.
    68 vs 40
  • 32 more ROPs
    This graphics card has more ROPs than the average graphics card (96 vs 64). The average graphics card has 64 ROPs.
    96 vs 64
  • 88 more TMUs
    This graphics card has more TMUs than the average graphics card (272 vs 184). The average graphics card has 184 TMUs.
    272 vs 184
  • 128 more AI cores
    This graphics card has more AI cores than the average graphics card (272 vs 144). The average graphics card has 144 AI cores.
    272 vs 144
  • 15.3% higher review score
    Reviews score
    8.3/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
    How we count it
    Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
    Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
    Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.6 for now.
    Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    â–² Better than 77% of models

    80%

    8.3

    Average grade

    20%

    8.6

    Popularity

    Grades by review (10)
    10 video reviews, each counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
    8.3 vs 7.2
  • 15.3% higher review score
    Reviews score
    8.3/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
    How we count it
    Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
    Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
    Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.6 for now.
    Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    â–² Better than 77% of models

    80%

    8.3

    Average grade

    20%

    8.6

    Popularity

    Grades by review (10)
    10 video reviews, each counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
    8.3 vs 7.2
  • 28 more compute units
    This graphics card has more compute units than the average graphics card (68 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.
    68 vs 40
  • 28 more ray tracing cores
    This graphics card has more ray tracing cores than the average graphics card (68 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 ray tracing cores.
    68 vs 40
  • 32 more ROPs
    This graphics card has more ROPs than the average graphics card (96 vs 64). The average graphics card has 64 ROPs.
    96 vs 64
  • 88 more TMUs
    This graphics card has more TMUs than the average graphics card (272 vs 184). The average graphics card has 184 TMUs.
    272 vs 184
  • 128 more AI cores
    This graphics card has more AI cores than the average graphics card (272 vs 144). The average graphics card has 144 AI cores.
    272 vs 144
  • 30.6% higher texture rate
    This graphics card has a higher texture rate than the average graphics card (493.7 GTexel/s vs 378 GTexel/s). The average graphics card has a texture rate of 378 GTexel/s.
    493.7 GTexel/s vs 378 GTexel/s
  • 39.8% higher FP32 performance
    This graphics card has a higher FP32 performance than the average graphics card (31.6 TFLOPS vs 22.6 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has FP32 performance of 22.6 TFLOPS.
    31.6 TFLOPS vs 22.6 TFLOPS
  • 128 bit wider memory bus
    This graphics card has a wider memory bus than the average graphics card (320 bit vs 192 bit). The average graphics card has a memory bus width of 192 bit.
    320 bit vs 192 bit
  • 69.7% higher memory bandwidth
    This graphics card has a higher memory bandwidth than the average graphics card (760.3 GB/s vs 448 GB/s). The average graphics card has a memory bandwidth of 448 GB/s.
    760.3 GB/s vs 448 GB/s
  • Supports LHR limiting
    This graphics card supports an LHR limiter, while the average graphics card does not. 7.5% of Graphics cards support one.
  • 27.5% lower boost clock speed
    This graphics card has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,815 MHz vs 2,505 MHz). The average graphics card has a boost GPU clock of 2,505 MHz.
    1,815 MHz vs 2,505 MHz
  • Less advanced frame generation
    This graphics card has less advanced frame generation than the average graphics card (no vs multi frame generation).
  • 60% larger process node
    This graphics card uses a larger manufacturing process than the average graphics card (8 nm vs 5 nm). The average graphics card uses a manufacturing process of 5 nm.
    8 nm vs 5 nm
  • 25% lower base clock speed
    This graphics card has a lower base GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,440 MHz vs 1920 MHz). The average graphics card has a base GPU clock of 1920 MHz.
    1,440 MHz vs 1,920 MHz
  • No dual BIOS
    This graphics card does not include dual BIOS, the average graphics card does.
  • 58.1% higher TDP
    This graphics card has a higher TDP than the average graphics card (340 W vs 215 W). The average graphics card has a TDP of 215 W.
    340 W vs 215 W
  • No AV1 encoding
    This graphics card does not support AV1 encoding, the average graphics card does.
  • 32.1% slower VRAM clock
    This graphics card has a lower VRAM clock than the average graphics card (1,188 MHz vs 1,750 MHz). The average graphics card runs its VRAM at 1,750 MHz.
    1,188 MHz vs 1,750 MHz
  • 2.29x more expensive
    MSI GeForce RTX 3080 Gaming Trio is more expensive than the average graphics card (£1,190 vs £520).
    £1,190 vs £520
  • 11.9% worse value for money
    MSI GeForce RTX 3080 Gaming Trio has worse value for money than the average graphics card (6.63 vs 7.4).
    6.63 vs 7.41
  • 27.5% lower boost clock speed
    This graphics card has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,815 MHz vs 2,505 MHz). The average graphics card has a boost GPU clock of 2,505 MHz.
    1,815 MHz vs 2,505 MHz
  • 25% lower base clock speed
    This graphics card has a lower base GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,440 MHz vs 1920 MHz). The average graphics card has a base GPU clock of 1920 MHz.
    1,440 MHz vs 1,920 MHz
  • 3 years older
    This graphics card was released earlier than the average graphics card (2020 vs 2023).
    September 2020
    2020 vs 2023
  • 32.1% slower VRAM clock
    This graphics card has a lower VRAM clock than the average graphics card (1,188 MHz vs 1,750 MHz). The average graphics card runs its VRAM at 1,750 MHz.
    1,188 MHz vs 1,750 MHz
  • 2 GB less VRAM
    This graphics card has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (10 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.
    10 GB vs 12 GB
  • 79.2% smaller L2 cache
    This graphics card has fewer L2 cache than the average graphics card (5 MB vs 24 MB). The average graphics card has 24 MB L2 cache.
    5 MB vs 24 MB
  • Less advanced frame generation
    This graphics card has less advanced frame generation than the average graphics card (no vs multi frame generation).
  • 60% larger process node
    This graphics card uses a larger manufacturing process than the average graphics card (8 nm vs 5 nm). The average graphics card uses a manufacturing process of 5 nm.
    8 nm vs 5 nm
  • 2.14x larger GPU die
    This graphics card has a higher GPU die size than the average graphics card (628 mm² vs 294 mm²). The average graphics card has a GPU die size of 294 mm².
    628 mm² vs 294 mm²
  • No AV1 encoding
    This graphics card does not support AV1 encoding, the average graphics card does.
  • Older HDMI version
    This graphics card supports an older HDMI version than the average graphics card (2.1 vs 2.1a).
    2.1 vs 2.1a
  • More basic codec support
    This graphics card encodes more basic formats 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 NVDEC generation
    This graphics card has a lower NVDEC generation than the average graphics card (5 vs 6). The average graphics card offers NVDEC generation 6.
    5 vs 6
  • 62.5% lower DisplayPort bandwidth
    This graphics card has a lower DisplayPort bandwidth than the average graphics card (8.1 Gbps vs 21.6 Gbps). The average graphics card has DisplayPort bandwidth of 21.6 Gbps.
    8.1 Gbps vs 21.6 Gbps
  • No dual BIOS
    This graphics card does not include dual BIOS, the average graphics card does.
  • 58.1% higher TDP
    This graphics card has a higher TDP than the average graphics card (340 W vs 215 W). The average graphics card has a TDP of 215 W.
    340 W vs 215 W
  • 57.7% higher board power limit
    This graphics card has a higher board power limit than the average graphics card (347 W vs 220 W). The average graphics card has a board power limit of 220 W.
    347 W vs 220 W
  • 15.4% higher PSU requirement
    This graphics card has a higher PSU requirement than the average graphics card (750 W vs 650 W). The average graphics card has a PSU requirement of 650 W.
    750 W vs 650 W
  • 15 °C lower thermal ceiling
    This graphics card has a lower thermal ceiling than the average graphics card (110 °C vs 95 °C). The average graphics card has a thermal ceiling of 95 °C.
    110 °C vs 95 °C
  • 8 °C higher load temperature
    This graphics card has a higher load temperature than the average graphics card (75 °C vs 67 °C). The average graphics card has a load temperature of 67 °C.
    75 °C vs 67 °C
  • 54.5% higher peak power draw
    This graphics card has a higher peak power draw than the average graphics card (340 W vs 220 W). The average graphics card has a peak power draw of 220 W.
    340 W vs 220 W
  • 7 °C higher idle temperature
    This graphics card has a higher idle temperature than the average graphics card (44 °C vs 37 °C). The average graphics card has an idle temperature of 37 °C.
    44 °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
  • 40.8 mm longer card length
    This graphics card is longer than the average graphics card (323 mm vs 282.2 mm). The average graphics card has a length of 282.2 mm.
    323 mm vs 282.2 mm
  • 0.5 slot/s wider design
    This graphics card occupies more slots than the average graphics card (3 slot/s vs 2.5 slot/s). The average graphics card occupies 2.5 slot/s.
    3 slot/s vs 2.5 slot/s
  • 54.3% heavier
    This graphics card is heavier than the average graphics card (1,565 g vs 1,014 g). The average graphics card weighs 1,014 g.
    1,565 g vs 1,014 g

Video reviews

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

9.0
RedGamingTech
≈ estimated
18/10/2020
Full review · benchmarks, overclocking and stability
Verdict
The MSI GeForce RTX 3080 Gaming Trio performs strongly at 4K and earns a good recommendation, though it needs a fast CPU and a high-refresh screen.
9.0
PC Centric
≈ estimated
22/09/2020
Hands-on review · noise, temperatures and benchmarks
Verdict
The MSI GeForce RTX 3080 Gaming Trio is highly recommended for overclockers and buyers who want a quiet card, though the cheaper Tough model is better value.
5.0
optimum
≈ estimated
19/09/2020
Hands-on review · teardown, clock speeds, thermals and noise
Verdict
The MSI GeForce RTX 3080 Gaming Trio is disappointing next to a cheaper Asus card, with a quiet fan profile but weaker thermal and noise results.
8.0
Hardware Unboxed
≈ estimated
19/09/2020
Hands-on review · thermals, overclocking and benchmarks
Verdict
The MSI GeForce RTX 3080 Gaming Trio is a well-built card with no real flaws, but the cheaper non-overclocked model is the better buy.
8.0
Gear Seekers
≈ estimated
17/09/2020
Benchmark review · performance, DLSS, thermals and power
Verdict
The MSI GeForce RTX 3080 Gaming Trio delivers excellent performance and near silent operation, but early-adopter pricing and a 750W power supply make waiting the sensible choice.
9.0
ThinkComputers
≈ estimated
17/09/2020
Hands-on review · benchmarks, noise, RGB and cooler
Verdict
The MSI GeForce RTX 3080 Gaming Trio is a very good aftermarket model with a quiet cooler, and its price is justified.
9.0
Stefan Malloch
≈ estimated
20/12/2020
Hands-on review · benchmarks and render tests
Verdict
The MSI GeForce RTX 3080 Gaming Trio is worth the price for work and gaming and should stay useful for the next few years.
Not graded
Overview video
Hands-on video, no verdict
Not graded
Not graded

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

tweaktown.com
18/09/2020
Not graded yet

Third-party reviews

What customers like about MSI GeForce RTX 3080 Gaming Trio

  • Extremely quiet operation, often described as 'whisper quiet' even under heavy load
  • Excellent thermal performance with the Tri Frozr 2 cooler keeping temperatures significantly lower than the Founders Edition
  • Solid factory overclock providing a performance boost over reference models
  • Uses standard 8-pin PCIe power connectors instead of the proprietary 12-pin used by Nvidia
  • Includes a support bracket to help manage its substantial weight and prevent GPU sag
  • Effective 'fan stop' feature that keeps the card silent during low-load tasks

What customers don't like about MSI GeForce RTX 3080 Gaming Trio

  • Large physical footprint (323mm length) that may not fit in all mid-tower cases
  • Requires three 8-pin power connectors, which can be cumbersome for cable management
  • Higher price point compared to the Founders Edition and some other partner cards
  • The 'graphene' backplate is often criticized by users for feeling like cheap plastic and lacking rigidity
  • RGB lighting quality is seen as a downgrade from previous generations, with visible LED hotspots
  • Relatively low power limit (350W) for a triple 8-pin card, which can limit high-end overclocking potential

Verdict

The MSI GeForce RTX 3080 Gaming Trio is a high-performance graphics card featuring 8,704 CUDA cores and 10GB of ultra-fast GDDR6X memory on a 320-bit bus. This factory-overclocked card reaches boost speeds of 1815 MHz and utilizes a robust TRI FROZR 2 cooling system with three TORX 4.0 fans to maintain low temperatures. It is highly praised for its exceptionally quiet operation, premium build quality, and superior 4K gaming capabilities. However, its massive 323mm length requires a spacious case, and its high power demands necessitate a 750W power supply and three 8-pin PCIe connectors.

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