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 Ventus 3X review: 117 specs compared

Avg. price:~£1,050VRAM:10 GBMemory bus width:320 bitThermal Design Power (TDP):320 W

MSI GeForce RTX 3080 Ventus 3X Review: Compare 117 technical specifications and 2 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 Ventus 3X
7.6/10

Overall score

Score
7.6/ 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
Score components

40%

7.4

Technical score

25%

8.0

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 56% of graphics cards
6.8

Value for money

Value for money
6.8/ 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
Score components

70%

7.6

Overall score

30%

5.0

Price

â–¼Worse than 82%
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
Score components

44%

7.0

Performance

24%

6.9

Memory

12%

7.9

Power

11%

9.2

Features

5%

6.5

Design

4%

9.1

Connectivity

â–²Better than 59%
8.0

Reviews score

Reviews score
8.0/ 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

80%

8.3

Average grade

20%

6.5

Popularity

Grades by review (2)
2 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 51%
?

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

What owners say about the MSI GeForce RTX 3080 Ventus 3X

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.

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Technical Specifications of graphics card MSI GeForce RTX 3080 Ventus 3X

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
Score components:

44%

7.0

Performance

24%

6.9

Memory

12%

7.9

Power

11%

9.2

Features

5%

6.5

Design

4%

9.1

Connectivity

7.4
Reviews score
8.0
List score
?
Value for money
Value for money
6.8/ 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
Score components:

70%

7.6

Overall score

30%

5.0

Price

6.8
3DMark Time Spy benchmark score
17,000 points
This graphics card scores 17,000 points in 3DMark Time Spy, which is higher than 55.3% of graphics cards and equal to 1.7% of graphics cards.
3DMark Port Royal score
11,204 points
This graphics card scores 11,204 points in 3DMark Port Royal, which is higher than 59.3% of graphics cards.
PassMark (G3D) result
23,907 points
This graphics card scores 23,907 points in PassMark G3D, which is higher than 55.1% of graphics cards and equal to 0.4% of graphics cards.
PassMark (DirectCompute) result
15,070 points
This graphics card scores 15,070 points in PassMark DirectCompute, which is higher than 61.3% of graphics cards and equal to 0.6% of graphics cards.
FP32 performance
29.77 TFLOPS
This graphics card delivers 29.77 TFLOPS FP32 performance, which is higher than that of 59.4% of graphics cards and equal to that of 0.4% of graphics cards.
Show more
VRAM
10 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
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
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
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.
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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
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
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
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)
320 W
This graphics card has a TDP of 320 W, which is higher than that of 79.8% of graphics cards and equal to that of 5.6% of graphics cards.
Power consumption while under peak load
320 W
This graphics card draws 320 W under peak load, which is higher than 76.9% of graphics cards and equal to 5% of graphics cards.
Recommended PSU wattage
750 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
320 W
This graphics card has a board power limit of 320 W, which is higher than that of 75.4% of graphics cards and equal to that of 4.1% of graphics cards.
PCIe power spec
320 W
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Size
305x 120x 57 mm
Length
305 mm
This graphics card is 305 mm long, which is longer than 65.2% of graphics cards and equal in length to 1.1% of graphics cards.
Height
120 mm
This graphics card is 120 mm tall, which is shorter than 59.3% of graphics cards and equal in height to 5.3% of graphics cards.
Slot width
3 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
1,370 g
This graphics card weighs 1,370 g, which is heavier than 69.5% of Graphics cards and equal to 0.3% of Graphics cards.
Show more

MSI GeForce RTX 3080 Ventus 3X 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
  • 11.1% higher review score
    Reviews score
    8.0/ 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

    80%

    8.3

    Average grade

    20%

    6.5

    Popularity

    Grades by review (2)
    2 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.
    8.0 vs 7.2
  • 11.1% higher review score
    Reviews score
    8.0/ 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

    80%

    8.3

    Average grade

    20%

    6.5

    Popularity

    Grades by review (2)
    2 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.
    8.0 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
  • 23% higher texture rate
    This graphics card has a higher texture rate than the average graphics card (465.1 GTexel/s vs 378 GTexel/s). The average graphics card has a texture rate of 378 GTexel/s.
    465.1 GTexel/s vs 378 GTexel/s
  • 31.7% higher FP32 performance
    This graphics card has a higher FP32 performance than the average graphics card (29.8 TFLOPS vs 22.6 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has FP32 performance of 22.6 TFLOPS.
    29.77 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.
  • 30.5% lower boost clock speed
    This graphics card has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,740 MHz vs 2,505 MHz). The average graphics card has a boost GPU clock of 2,505 MHz.
    1,740 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.
  • 48.8% higher TDP
    This graphics card has a higher TDP than the average graphics card (320 W vs 215 W). The average graphics card has a TDP of 215 W.
    320 W vs 215 W
  • No RGB lighting
    This graphics card does not include RGB lighting, the average graphics card does.
  • No AV1 encoding
    This graphics card does not support AV1 encoding, the average graphics card does.
  • 2.02x more expensive
    MSI GeForce RTX 3080 Ventus 3X is more expensive than the average graphics card (£1,050 vs £520).
    £1,050 vs £520
  • 9.2% worse value for money
    MSI GeForce RTX 3080 Ventus 3X has worse value for money than the average graphics card (6.79 vs 7.4).
    6.79 vs 7.41
  • 30.5% lower boost clock speed
    This graphics card has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,740 MHz vs 2,505 MHz). The average graphics card has a boost GPU clock of 2,505 MHz.
    1,740 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 vs H.264/H.265/AV1/VP9).
    H.264/H.265 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.
  • 48.8% higher TDP
    This graphics card has a higher TDP than the average graphics card (320 W vs 215 W). The average graphics card has a TDP of 215 W.
    320 W vs 215 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
  • 45.5% higher board power limit
    This graphics card has a higher board power limit than the average graphics card (320 W vs 220 W). The average graphics card has a board power limit of 220 W.
    320 W vs 220 W
  • 7 °C higher load temperature
    This graphics card has a higher load temperature than the average graphics card (74 °C vs 67 °C). The average graphics card has a load temperature of 67 °C.
    74 °C vs 67 °C
  • 45.5% higher peak power draw
    This graphics card has a higher peak power draw than the average graphics card (320 W vs 220 W). The average graphics card has a peak power draw of 220 W.
    320 W vs 220 W
  • 3.6 dB noisier under load
    This graphics card has a higher load noise level than the average graphics card (39 dB vs 35.4 dB). The average graphics card has a load noise level of 35.4 dB.
    39 dB vs 35.4 dB
  • No RGB lighting
    This graphics card does not include RGB lighting, the average graphics card does.
  • 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
  • 22.8 mm longer card length
    This graphics card is longer than the average graphics card (305 mm vs 282.2 mm). The average graphics card has a length of 282.2 mm.
    305 mm vs 282.2 mm
  • 35.1% heavier
    This graphics card is heavier than the average graphics card (1,370 g vs 1,014 g). The average graphics card weighs 1,014 g.
    1,370 g vs 1,014 g

Video reviews

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

9.0
Techtesters
≈ estimated
30/10/2020
Hands-on review · performance, noise and cooler tests
Verdict
MSI GeForce RTX 3080 Ventus 3X is a fast, quiet, cheaper 3080 and a good pick if you don't need fancy features.
9.0
Tech With Sean
≈ estimated
25/09/2020
Hands-on review · 1440p benchmarks and clock limits
Verdict
MSI GeForce RTX 3080 Ventus 3X is fast and fair value for the money, though it's large and isn't the highest clocking card.
Shop video
Not graded

Third-party reviews

What customers like about MSI GeForce RTX 3080 Ventus 3X

  • Delivers excellent gaming performance at 1440p and 4K resolutions
  • Features a clean, no-RGB aesthetic that appeals to minimalist builders
  • Includes a support bracket to prevent GPU sag due to its large size and weight
  • Operates quietly and maintains stable temperatures in well-ventilated cases
  • Responds exceptionally well to undervolting, significantly reducing power draw with minimal performance loss
  • Uses a standard 2 x 8-pin power connector configuration for better compatibility with existing power supplies

What customers don't like about MSI GeForce RTX 3080 Ventus 3X

  • Strict power limit (typically 320W) that is hard-locked in the BIOS, limiting performance compared to higher-end models
  • Poor overclocking headroom due to the restricted power ceiling
  • Build quality is perceived as lower compared to MSI's Gaming X Trio or competitors like the ASUS TUF
  • Thermal performance can be inconsistent, with some users reporting high board temperatures under heavy load
  • The physical footprint is very large (approx. 12 inches), which may not fit in smaller or compact cases
  • Often priced higher than other 'entry-level' RTX 3080 models despite having fewer premium features

Verdict

The MSI GeForce RTX 3080 Ventus 3X is a high-performance graphics card built on NVIDIA's Ampere architecture, featuring 8,704 CUDA cores and a choice of 10GB or 12GB of GDDR6X VRAM with a 320-bit or 384-bit memory bus. It employs a triple-fan cooling system with Torx Fan 3.0 technology and a reinforced graphene backplate to maintain stable boost clocks up to 1,740 MHz while supporting 4K gaming at high refresh rates. Main pros include its industrial, RGB-free design that fits easily into professional builds, efficient DLSS and ray tracing performance, and a included support bracket to prevent GPU sag. However, some users report that the card can run hot under sustained 320W loads, its plastic shroud may feel less premium than higher-tier models, and it offers limited overclocking headroom due to strict power limits.

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