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MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X Review | 118 Data compared

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  • Avg. price in UK: ~£250
  • Avg. price in US: ~$170
  • VRAM: 11 GB
  • Memory bus width: 352 bit
  • Thermal Design Power (TDP): 250 W

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

5.7

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%

5.3

Technical Score

10.0%

9.4

User score

Good
5.3

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the graphics card's technical performance, covering key areas such as gaming and rendering performance, ray tracing, memory configuration, power efficiency, cooling, connectivity, features, and build quality.

When it matters: When you want to compare graphics cards based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

44.0%

4.3

Performance

24.0%

4.5

Memory

12.0%

7.7

Power & Cooling

11.0%

6.8

Platform & Features

5.0%

7.0

Design

4.0%

7.4

Connectivity & Media

Good
9.4

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%

9.2

User reviews

30.0%

10

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.6
(367)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.6
(384)

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

Exceptional
  • 4.5
    Gaming

    Score components:

    45.0%

    2.7

    Floating-point performance

    25.0%

    3.7

    VRAM

    20.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    10.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 5.2
    Video editing

    Score components:

    35.0%

    7.0

    AV1 encode

    30.0%

    3.7

    VRAM

    20.0%

    2.7

    Floating-point performance

    15.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 4.0
    1080p

    Score components:

    55.0%

    2.7

    Floating-point performance

    25.0%

    3.7

    VRAM

    10.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    10.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 4.0
    1440p

    Score components:

    50.0%

    2.7

    Floating-point performance

    30.0%

    3.7

    VRAM

    15.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    5.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 4.3
    4K

    Score components:

    40.0%

    2.7

    Floating-point performance

    35.0%

    3.7

    VRAM

    20.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    5.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

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Best prices in UK

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 GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X 11G is a flagship graphics card featuring 3,584 CUDA cores and 11GB of GDDR5X VRAM on a 352-bit bus. Designed for high-performance 4K and VR gaming, it utilizes the Twin Frozr VI cooling system with Torx 2.0 fans to maintain an OC Mode boost clock of 1,683 MHz. Key advantages include exceptional cooling efficiency with a passive fan mode for silent operation at low loads, a sturdy metal backplate, and customizable RGB lighting. However, the card is physically massive at 290mm long and 51mm thick, lacks modern hardware-accelerated ray tracing (RTX) and DLSS support, and has a high power draw requiring two 8-pin connectors and a 600W power supply.

Technical Specifications of MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming 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%

4.3

Performance

24.0%

4.5

Memory

12.0%

7.7

Power & Cooling

11.0%

6.8

Platform & Features

5.0%

7.0

Design

4.0%

7.4

Connectivity & Media

5.3
MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X has a technical score of 5.3 points, which is lower than that of 74.5% 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%

9.2

User reviews

30.0%

10

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.6
(367)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.6
(384)

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

9.4
MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X has a user score of 9.44 points, which is higher than that of 91.2% of products in this category.
Popularity
What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the graphics card.
When it matters: When you prefer a graphics card that has already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
10
MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X has a popularity of 10 points, which is higher than 77.9% of products in this category.
Ratio quality/price

What it is: An indicator that combines the graphics card's overall rating with its cost.

When it matters: When you are looking for a graphics card that offers a strong balance of performance, features, and price.

Score components:

60.0%

5.7

Overall score

40.0%

9.2

Price

6.8
MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X has a quality-to-price ratio of 6.8 points, which is higher than 48% of products in this category.
3DMark Time Spy benchmark score
What it is: Benchmark result from 3DMark Time Spy, a synthetic DirectX 12 test often used as a quick gaming-performance reference.
When it matters: When you need a fast rough performance sort before digging into game-specific reviews and frame-rate data.

Importance: LOW

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3DMark Port Royal score
What it is: Benchmark result from 3DMark Port Royal, a synthetic test focused on ray tracing performance.
When it matters: When ray tracing matters in the games you actually play and you want one quick way to separate stronger and weaker RT cards.

Importance: LOW

?
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

9,591 points
MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X scores 9591 points in PassMark DirectCompute, which is higher than 82.3% of graphics cards and equal to 3.2% of graphics cards.
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

11.88 TFLOPS
MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X delivers 11.88 TFLOPS floating-point performance, which is lower than that of 75.2% of graphics cards and equal to that of 0.1% of graphics cards.
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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

11 GB
MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X has 11 GB of VRAM, which is less than 54.6% of graphics cards and equal to 1.5% 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 GTX 1080 Ti Gaming 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

352 bit
MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X uses a 352 bit memory bus, which is wider than that of 87.8% of graphics cards and equal to that of 1.5% 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

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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 GTX 1080 Ti Gaming 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 GTX 1080 Ti Gaming 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

12.1
MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X supports DirectX 12.1, which is older than on 87.7% of graphics cards and equal to 4.9% of graphics cards.
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 GTX 1080 Ti Gaming 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

4.6
MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X supports OpenGL 4.6, which is more advanced than on 4.8% of graphics cards and equal to 95.2% of graphics cards.
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Max displays supported
What it is: Total number of external displays supported simultaneously
When it matters: When you run a multi-monitor desk for sim racing, trading, or editing.

Importance: LOW

4
MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming 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

7680x4320
MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X supports a maximum digital resolution of 7680x4320, which is higher than that of 44.4% of graphics cards and equal to that of 55.6% of graphics cards.
DisplayPort outputs
What it is: Number of DisplayPort video outputs
When it matters: When your setup needs several high-refresh monitors without adapters.

Importance: LOW

2
MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X offers 2 DisplayPort outputs, which is fewer than 79.2% of graphics cards and equal to 10.2% 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 GTX 1080 Ti Gaming 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

8.1 Gbps
MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X supports DisplayPort link rates up to 8.1 Gbps, which is slower than on 50.4% of graphics cards and equal to 40.5% 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

250 W
MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X has a TDP of 250 W, which is higher than that of 58.4% of graphics cards and equal to that of 6.1% 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

600 W
MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X recommends a 600 W PSU, which is lower than that of 55.7% of graphics cards and equal to that of 7.5% 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

330 W
MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X has a board power limit of 330 W, which is higher than that of 80.2% of graphics cards and equal to that of 0.8% 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

250 W
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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

290 mm
MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X is 290 mm long, which is longer than 51.7% of graphics cards and equal in length to 0.7% 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

140 mm
MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X is 140 mm tall, which is taller than 76.4% 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

2.5 slot/s
MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X occupies 2.5 slot/s, which is wider than 53.2% of graphics cards and equal in width to 11.7% 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

1,257 g
MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X weighs 1257 g, which is heavier than 65.7% of graphics cards and equal in weight to 0.2% of graphics cards.
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MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X vs the average graphics card

  • 6.29x faster VRAM clock
    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X has a higher VRAM clock than the average graphics card (11,016 MHz vs 1,750 MHz). The average graphics card runs its VRAM at 1,750 MHz.
    What it is: Speed at which the GPU memory operates
    When it matters: When you want more context on how quickly the card's VRAM can move data.

    Importance: LOW

    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X has a higher VRAM clock than the average graphics card (11,016 MHz vs 1,750 MHz). The average graphics card runs its VRAM at 1,750 MHz.11016 MHz vs 1750 MHz
  • 96 bit wider memory bus
    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X has a wider memory bus than the average graphics card (352 bit vs 256 bit). The average graphics card has a memory bus width of 256 bit.
    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

    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X has a wider memory bus than the average graphics card (352 bit vs 256 bit). The average graphics card has a memory bus width of 256 bit.352 bit vs 256 bit
  • 24 more ROPs
    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X has more ROPs than the average graphics card (88 vs 64). The average graphics card has 64 ROPs.
    What it is: Total number of render output units on the GPU
    When it matters: When you want more context on pixel output capacity, especially for high-resolution play and older raster-heavy engines.

    Importance: HIGH

    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X has more ROPs than the average graphics card (88 vs 64). The average graphics card has 64 ROPs.88 vs 64
  • 40 more TMUs
    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X has more TMUs than the average graphics card (224 vs 184). The average graphics card has 184 TMUs.
    What it is: Total count of texture mapping units on the GPU
    When it matters: When texture-heavy gaming performance matters and you want extra hardware context behind texture-rate claims.

    Importance: HIGH

    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X has more TMUs than the average graphics card (224 vs 184). The average graphics card has 184 TMUs.224 vs 184
  • 1 more DVI outputs
    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming 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 GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X has more DVI outputs than the average graphics card (1 vs 0). The average graphics card has 0 DVI outputs.1 vs 0
  • 18% higher user score
    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X has a higher user score than the average graphics card (9.44 vs 8.000).
    What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the graphics card.
    When it matters: When you want to understand how a graphics card performs in real use and how reliable it is in terms of performance, temperatures, noise, stability, and long-term ownership.
    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X has a higher user score than the average graphics card (9.44 vs 8.000).9.44 vs 8
  • Supports multi-GPU linking
    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X supports multi-GPU linking, the average graphics card does not.
    What it is: Supports NVIDIA SLI or AMD CrossFire multi-GPU setup
    When it matters: When you still run legacy multi-GPU gaming or rendering workflows.

    Importance: LOW

    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X supports multi-GPU linking, the average graphics card does not.
  • 2.12x cheaper
    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X is cheaper than the average graphics card (£250 vs £530).
    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X is cheaper than the average graphics card (£250 vs £530).£250 vs £530
  • 24 more ROPs
    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X has more ROPs than the average graphics card (88 vs 64). The average graphics card has 64 ROPs.
  • 40 more TMUs
    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X has more TMUs than the average graphics card (224 vs 184). The average graphics card has 184 TMUs.
  • 2.02x higher compute score
    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X has a higher compute score than the average graphics card (9,591 points vs 4,745 points). The average graphics card has a compute score of 4,745 points.
  • 6.29x faster VRAM clock
    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X has a higher VRAM clock than the average graphics card (11,016 MHz vs 1,750 MHz). The average graphics card runs its VRAM at 1,750 MHz.
  • 96 bit wider memory bus
    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X has a wider memory bus than the average graphics card (352 bit vs 256 bit). The average graphics card has a memory bus width of 256 bit.
  • Supports multi-GPU linking
    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X supports multi-GPU linking, the average graphics card does not.
  • 1 more DVI outputs
    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X has more DVI outputs than the average graphics card (1 vs 0). The average graphics card has 0 DVI outputs.
  • 7.7% lower PSU requirement
    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X has a lower PSU requirement than the average graphics card (600 W vs 650 W). The average graphics card has a PSU requirement of 650 W.

Total
Overall
Performance
Memory
Platform & Features
Connectivity & Media
Power & Cooling
  • 32.7% lower boost clock speed
    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,683 MHz vs 2,500 MHz). The average graphics card has a boost GPU clock of 2,500 MHz.
  • 12 fewer compute units
    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (28 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.
  • 19.6% lower base clock speed
    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X has a lower base GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,544 MHz vs 1,920 MHz). The average graphics card has a base GPU clock of 1,920 MHz.
  • 11.7% lower pixel rate
    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X has a lower pixel rate than the average graphics card (145.8 GPixel/s vs 165.2 GPixel/s). The average graphics card has a pixel rate of 165.2 GPixel/s.
  • 42.1% slower memory speed
    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X has a lower effective memory speed than the average graphics card (11,008 MHz vs 19,000 MHz). The average graphics card reaches an effective memory speed of 19,000 MHz.
  • 91.4% smaller L2 cache
    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X has fewer L2 cache than the average graphics card (2.8 MB vs 32 MB). The average graphics card has 32 MB L2 cache.
  • 1 GB less VRAM
    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (11 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.
  • 62.5% smaller L1 cache
    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming 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 GTX 1080 Ti Gaming 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 GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X does not support DLSS, the average graphics card does.
  • Older PCIe version
    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X supports an older PCIe version than the average graphics card (3 vs 4.0).
  • 6 older
    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X was released earlier than the average graphics card (2,017 vs 2,023).
  • No AI upscalers
    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X does not support AI upscalers, the average graphics card does.
  • No mesh shaders
    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X does not support mesh shaders, the average graphics card does.
  • Older Vulkan version
    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X supports an older Vulkan version than the average graphics card (1.3 vs 1.4).
  • Older DirectX version
    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X supports an older DirectX version than the average graphics card (12.1 vs 12 Ultimate).
  • No sampler feedback
    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X does not support sampler feedback, the average graphics card does.
  • 54.8% larger GPU die
    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X has a higher GPU die size than the average graphics card (471 mm² vs 304.25 mm²). The average graphics card has a GPU die size of 304.25 mm².
  • No AV1 encoding
    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X does not support AV1 encoding, the average graphics card does.
  • 1 fewer DisplayPort outputs
    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X has fewer DisplayPort outputs than the average graphics card (2 vs 3). The average graphics card has 3 DisplayPort outputs.
  • No AV1 decoding
    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X does not support AV1 decoding, the average graphics card does.
  • No DSC support
    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X does not support DSC, the average graphics card does.
  • Older DisplayPort version
    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X supports an older DisplayPort version than the average graphics card (1.4 vs 1.4a).
  • Older HDMI version
    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X supports an older HDMI version than the average graphics card (2.0b vs 2.1).
  • Older HDCP version
    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X supports an older HDCP version than the average graphics card (2.2 vs 2.3).
  • 1 fewer fans
    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X has fewer fans than the average graphics card (2 vs 3).
  • 50% higher board power limit
    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X has a higher board power limit than the average graphics card (330 W vs 220 W). The average graphics card has a board power limit of 220 W.
  • 16.3% higher TDP
    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X has a higher TDP than the average graphics card (250 W vs 215 W). The average graphics card has a TDP of 215 W.
  • 0.5 slot/s wider design
    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X occupies more slots than the average graphics card (2.5 slot/s vs 2 slot/s). The average graphics card occupies 2 slot/s.
  • 13 mm higher card profile
    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X is taller than the average graphics card (140 mm vs 127 mm). The average graphics card has a height of 127 mm.
  • 32.7% lower boost clock speed
    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,683 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 GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,683 MHz vs 2,500 MHz). The average graphics card has a boost GPU clock of 2,500 MHz.1683 MHz vs 2500 MHz
  • 3.2x larger process node
    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming 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 GTX 1080 Ti Gaming 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
  • 1 fewer fans
    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X has fewer fans than the average graphics card (2 vs 3).
    What it is: Total number of cooling fans
    When it matters: When you compare cooler designs and want one more clue about thermal potential.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X has fewer fans than the average graphics card (2 vs 3).2 vs 3
  • 12 fewer compute units
    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (28 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 GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (28 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.28 vs 40
  • No DLSS support
    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming 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 GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X does not support DLSS, the average graphics card does.
  • 42.1% slower memory speed
    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X has a lower effective memory speed than the average graphics card (11,008 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 GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X has a lower effective memory speed than the average graphics card (11,008 MHz vs 19,000 MHz). The average graphics card reaches an effective memory speed of 19,000 MHz.11008 MHz vs 19000 MHz
  • 19.6% lower base clock speed
    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X has a lower base GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,544 MHz vs 1,920 MHz). The average graphics card has a base GPU clock of 1,920 MHz.
    What it is: Base operating frequency of the GPU core under standard conditions
    When it matters: When you want to understand the card's guaranteed starting frequency instead of looking only at optimistic boost figures.

    Importance: HIGH

    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X has a lower base GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,544 MHz vs 1,920 MHz). The average graphics card has a base GPU clock of 1,920 MHz.1544 MHz vs 1920 MHz
  • No AV1 encoding
    MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming 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 GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X does not support AV1 encoding, the average graphics card does.
Total
Performance
Memory
Platform & Features
Connectivity & Media
Power & Cooling
Design

Graphic comparison of MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X and

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Third-party reviews

United Kingdom
amazon
4.6
367 Reviews
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.6
384 Reviews

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

What customers like about MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X?

  • Exceptional 4K and 1440p gaming performance, often exceeding 60fps at high settings
  • Extremely quiet operation due to the efficient Twin Frozr VI cooling system
  • Maintains very low operating temperatures even under heavy load
  • High build quality with a sturdy metal backplate and well-engineered PCB
  • Excellent for VR experiences with multiple HDMI ports for headsets
  • Passive fan mode (Zero Frozr) ensures total silence during light tasks

What customers dislike about MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X?

  • Large 2.5-slot form factor may cause fitment issues in smaller cases
  • The distinctive red and black aesthetic can clash with neutral-themed builds
  • Notable instances of coil whine reported in some units, especially during benchmarks
  • Lacks support for modern technologies like DLSS and hardware-accelerated Ray Tracing
  • Significantly heavier than reference models, potentially causing GPU sag without support
  • Vertical fin orientation pushes heat into the motherboard and other components rather than out of the case

Expert reviews

T
tektick.com
30/12/2018
MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming Review - Massive Gamer Are you looking for benchmarks for a specific resolution like 4K or 1440p?

The MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X is highlighted as a high-end, "no-compromise" graphics card that delivers an impressive 20-30% performance jump over the standard GTX 1080 at a highly competitive price point. Built with a massive, beefy aluminum heatsink intertwined with six heat pipes and dual 100mm Torx 2.0 fans, this 29 cm long card features a 2.5-slot footprint designed to handle...Read more

B
bit-tech.net
16/05/2017
MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X 11G Review

The MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X 11G is a premium, factory-overclocked graphics card featuring a robust red and black design built with high-quality Military Class 4 components. To handle the high power draw and thermal output of the top-tier GPU, MSI opted for a thick 2.5-slot/triple-slot footprint weighing 1.25kg, complete with a rigid metal backplate to prevent PCB bending....Read more

O
overclockers.com
09/05/2017
MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X 11G GPU Review - Overclockers

The MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X 11G is a premium, factory-overclocked card featuring the Twin Frozr VI cooler, which delivers excellent thermal management and silent operation for 4K gaming. It provides superior performance over the Founders Edition, powered by 3,584 CUDA cores, 11 GB GDDR5X VRAM, and dual 8-pin connectors for enhanced stability. However, the card’s 2.5-to-3-slot...Read more

T
tomshardware.com
09/05/2017
MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X 11G Review

The MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X 11G is a massive, high-end graphics card designed for maximum gaming performance, successfully correcting several design flaws found in MSI's previous GTX 1080 non-Ti model. Equipped with a heavy, beefed-up cooler weighing 1.253 kg, the card features three 6mm heat pipes and an 8mm heat pipe, alongside a newly integrated, dedicated VRM heatsink....Read more

T
techpowerup.com
03/04/2017
MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X 11 GB Review | TechPowerUp

The TechPowerUp review of the MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X highlights a powerful, factory-overclocked card featuring a 2.5-slot TwinFrozr VI cooler that maintains low 72°C temperatures and quiet 35 dBA noise levels during gaming. Key pros include excellent 4K performance, an idle-fan-off mode for complete silence in desktop tasks, and a robust dual 8-pin power setup. Conversely, the...Read more

H
hardwaresfera.com
N/A
Review: MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X graphics card - HardwarEsfera

The Hardwaresfera review highlights the MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X as a high-performance card delivering a 35-40% leap over the standard GTX 1080, powered by NVIDIA’s Pascal architecture. Key advantages include a robust power system enabling stable 2.0 GHz overclocks, efficient and silent Twin Frozr VI cooling, and tailored VR connectivity. YouTube · Conversely, the card's 11.4-inch...Read more

I
igorslab.de
20/04/2017
MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X 11G in review - igor´sLAB

The MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X 11G is a heavy, 2.5-slot thick graphics card built with a maximum software-selectable power target of 330 watts and a default limit of 290 watts. It measures 27.9 cm in length and features a robust cooling system equipped with vertical fins, a newly integrated VRM heat sink, and multiple heatpipes (three 6mm and one 8mm) to fix previous voltage...Read more

H
hexus.net
04/05/2017
Review: MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X - Graphics - HEXUS.net

The MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X is a custom-cooled, high-end graphics card designed for enthusiast gamers looking for a cheaper, custom alternative to the Founders Edition Titan Xp. Built with solid construction and a red-and-black aesthetic, the card features subtle RGB lighting, a sturdy cooling plate, and a metal backplate. Performance-wise, it ships with a conservative...Read more

T
tweaktown.com
06/04/2017
MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X 11G Review - The Best!

Here is a detailed summary of the review for the MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X 11G: The MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X 11G is hailed as a top-tier custom graphics card that delivers exceptional, quiet performance by comfortably beating the $1200 NVIDIA Titan X for nearly half the price. Built on a custom PCB, the card requires 8 -pin PCIe power connectors and comes with three...Read more

H
hardwareluxx.de
06/07/2026
MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X 11G - Impressionen (Teil von: Neun Modelle der GeForce GTX 1080 Ti im Test)

The MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X 11G features a 2.5-slot cooling design with a distinct red and black aesthetics, accented by the MSI Gaming dragon on the fan hubs and the backplate [11]. Under gaming workloads, the card clocks stable boost frequencies hovering around 1,885 MHz to 1,911 MHz while maintaining a controlled GPU temperature of 69°C to 70°C [11]. Its Twin Frozr V...Read more

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T
tomshw.it
11/05/2017
Prestazioni in gaming If you need any specific benchmark results extracted from these hardware tests or want to compare this card's performance agains...

The MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X 11G is a high-performance graphics card optimized for 1440p and 4K, delivering a 7% to 9% performance boost over the Founders Edition, according to tests on Tom's Hardware. Key advantages include its efficient Twin Frozr VI cooling system, low noise levels, and robust out-of-the-box overclocking, with GPU Boost speeds averaging 1873 MHz. However,...Read more

(Translated)Show original
T
tweakers.net
06/06/2020
MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X 11G - StealthNinja - Product reviews

In this Tweakers product review, user StealthNinja evaluates the MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X 11G as an excellent, top-tier choice for a graphics card, giving it a perfect 5 out of 5 stars. Published in June 2020, the review highlights that the card remains highly capable for modern gaming, successfully running resource-intensive titles like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare at 1080p...Read more

(Translated)Show original
T
tweakers.net
24/01/2018
MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X 11G Review - Tweakers

The MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X 11G is a powerful consumer graphics card designed for 4K gaming, utilising Nvidia's 16nm Pascal GP102 architecture with 3584 cores. In terms of physical specifications, it features a factory-overclocked base clock of 1544 MHz (1657 MHz Boost), 11GB of GDDR5X memory, and measures 29 centimetres in length and 5.1 centimetres in thickness due to its...Read more

(Translated)Show original
T
tweakers.net
26/06/2017
MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X 11G Review - Tweakers

The Tweakers review highlights the MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X 11GGo to product viewer dialog for this item. as a high-performance card that dominates high-resolution gaming, with the Twin Frozr VI cooling solution providing exceptional, quiet thermal management. Key advantages include its robust overclocking capabilities via the MSI Gaming App and a high-quality build....Read more

(Translated)Show original

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