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NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Review | 118 Data compared

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  • Avg. price: ~£870
  • VRAM: 8 GB
  • Memory bus width: 256 bit
  • Thermal Design Power (TDP): 180 W

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

5.5

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%

5.1

Technical Score

10.0%

8.7

User score

Good
5.1

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%

4.4

Memory

12.0%

6.4

Power & Cooling

11.0%

6.5

Platform & Features

5.0%

8.9

Design

4.0%

8.2

Connectivity & Media

Good
8.7

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%

8.8

User reviews

30.0%

8.3

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.5
(120)
amazon
4.4
(58)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.4
(133)
Amazon_logo.png
4.4
(63)

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

Excellent
  • 4.0
    Gaming

    Score components:

    45.0%

    2.1

    Floating-point performance

    25.0%

    2.8

    VRAM

    20.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    10.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 4.9
    Video editing

    Score components:

    35.0%

    7.0

    AV1 encode

    30.0%

    2.8

    VRAM

    20.0%

    2.1

    Floating-point performance

    15.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 3.4
    1080p

    Score components:

    55.0%

    2.1

    Floating-point performance

    25.0%

    2.8

    VRAM

    10.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    10.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 3.5
    1440p

    Score components:

    50.0%

    2.1

    Floating-point performance

    30.0%

    2.8

    VRAM

    15.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    5.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 3.8
    4K

    Score components:

    40.0%

    2.1

    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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Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).
All: ranking among all products in the database.

Verdict

The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 is a high-end graphics card built on the 16nm Pascal architecture, featuring 2560 CUDA cores, a base clock of 1607 MHz, and a boost clock of 1733 MHz. It was the first consumer GPU to utilize 8 GB of GDDR5X memory on a 256-bit interface, delivering a substantial memory bandwidth of 320 GB/s with a relatively efficient 180W TDP. Its primary pros include exceptional 1440p and entry-level 4K gaming performance, high power efficiency compared to the previous Maxwell generation, and robust support for VR and SLI technology. However, notable cons include its high initial launch price, a physical size that may not fit in compact cases, and the lack of modern dedicated hardware for real-time ray tracing (RTX) found in newer generations.

Technical Specifications of NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080

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%

4.4

Memory

12.0%

6.4

Power & Cooling

11.0%

6.5

Platform & Features

5.0%

8.9

Design

4.0%

8.2

Connectivity & Media

5.1
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 has a technical score of 5.15 points, which is lower than that of 76.2% 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%

8.8

User reviews

30.0%

8.3

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.5
(120)
amazon
4.4
(58)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.4
(133)
Amazon_logo.png
4.4
(63)

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

8.7
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 has a user score of 8.65 points, which is higher than that of 72.5% 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.
8.3
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 has a popularity of 8.3 points, which is higher than 73.5% 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%

5.5

Overall score

40.0%

5.9

Price

5.6
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 has a quality-to-price ratio of 5.6 points, which is lower than 89.4% 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

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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

8.873 TFLOPS
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 delivers 8.873 TFLOPS floating-point performance, which is lower than that of 80.6% 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

8 GB
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 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
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 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
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 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
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 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
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 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
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 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
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 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
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 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
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 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
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 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
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 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

3
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 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
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 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

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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
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 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
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 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

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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

180 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

267 mm
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 is 267 mm long, which is shorter than 59.6% of graphics cards and equal in length to 3.4% 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
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 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
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 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

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NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 vs the average graphics card

  • 64x larger L2 cache
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 has more L2 cache than the average graphics card (2,048 MB vs 32 MB). The average graphics card has 32 MB L2 cache.
    What it is: Total size of the GPU’s L2 cache memory
    When it matters: When cache size can help the GPU feed data faster in demanding scenes.

    Importance: LOW

    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 has more L2 cache than the average graphics card (2,048 MB vs 32 MB). The average graphics card has 32 MB L2 cache.2048 MB vs 32 MB
  • 23.1% lower PSU requirement
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 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

    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 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
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 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

    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 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
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 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

    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 has more DVI outputs than the average graphics card (1 vs 0). The average graphics card has 0 DVI outputs.1 vs 0
  • 16.3% lower TDP
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 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

    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 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 multi-GPU linking
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 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

    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 supports multi-GPU linking, the average graphics card does not.
  • 8.2% higher user score
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 has a higher user score than the average graphics card (8.65 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.
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 has a higher user score than the average graphics card (8.65 vs 8.000).8.65 vs 8
  • 64x larger L2 cache
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 has more L2 cache than the average graphics card (2,048 MB vs 32 MB). The average graphics card has 32 MB L2 cache.
  • Supports multi-GPU linking
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 supports multi-GPU linking, the average graphics card does not.
  • 1 more DVI outputs
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 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
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 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.
  • 16.3% lower TDP
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 has a lower TDP than the average graphics card (180 W vs 215 W). The average graphics card has a TDP of 215 W.
  • 16 mm lower card height
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 is shorter than the average graphics card (111 mm vs 127 mm). The average graphics card has a height of 127 mm.

Total
Overall
Memory
Platform & Features
Connectivity & Media
Power & Cooling
Design
  • 30.7% lower boost clock speed
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,733 MHz vs 2,500 MHz). The average graphics card has a boost GPU clock of 2,500 MHz.
  • 20 fewer compute units
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (20 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.
  • 32.9% lower pixel rate
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 has a lower pixel rate than the average graphics card (110.9 GPixel/s vs 165.2 GPixel/s). The average graphics card has a pixel rate of 165.2 GPixel/s.
  • 61.2% lower FP32 performance
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 has a lower FP32 performance than the average graphics card (8.9 TFLOPS vs 22.86 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has FP32 performance of 22.86 TFLOPS.
  • 26.4% lower texture rate
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 has a lower texture rate than the average graphics card (277.3 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s). The average graphics card has a texture rate of 376.8 GTexel/s.
  • 16.3% lower base clock speed
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 has a lower base GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,607 MHz vs 1,920 MHz). The average graphics card has a base GPU clock of 1,920 MHz.
  • 24 fewer TMUs
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 has fewer TMUs than the average graphics card (160 vs 184). The average graphics card has 184 TMUs.
  • 99.5% lower FP16 performance
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 has a lower FP16 performance than the average graphics card (0.1 TFLOPS vs 29.5 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has FP16 performance of 29.5 TFLOPS.
  • 61.6% lower compute throughput
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 has a lower compute throughput than the average graphics card (8.9 TFLOPS vs 23.105 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has compute throughput of 23.105 TFLOPS.
  • 47.4% slower memory speed
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 has a lower effective memory speed than the average graphics card (10,000 MHz vs 19,000 MHz). The average graphics card reaches an effective memory speed of 19,000 MHz.
  • 4 GB less VRAM
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (8 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.
  • 28.6% lower memory bandwidth
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 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
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 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
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 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.
  • Older PCIe version
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 supports an older PCIe version than the average graphics card (3 vs 4.0).
  • 7 older
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 was released earlier than the average graphics card (2,016 vs 2,023).
  • No AI upscalers
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 does not support AI upscalers, the average graphics card does.
  • No mesh shaders
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 does not support mesh shaders, the average graphics card does.
  • Older Vulkan version
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 supports an older Vulkan version than the average graphics card (1.3 vs 1.4).
  • Older encoder generation
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 uses an older encoder generation than the average graphics card (4 vs 8). The average graphics card uses encoder generation 8.
  • Older DirectX version
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 supports an older DirectX version than the average graphics card (12.1 vs 12 Ultimate).
  • No sampler feedback
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 does not support sampler feedback, the average graphics card does.
  • 67.1% fewer transistors
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 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
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 does not support AV1 encoding, the average graphics card does.
  • No AV1 decoding
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 does not support AV1 decoding, the average graphics card does.
  • No DSC support
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 does not support DSC, the average graphics card does.
  • Older DisplayPort version
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 supports an older DisplayPort version than the average graphics card (1.4 vs 1.4a).
  • Older HDMI version
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 supports an older HDMI version than the average graphics card (2.0b vs 2.1).
  • Older HDCP version
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 supports an older HDCP version than the average graphics card (2.2 vs 2.3).
  • 2 fewer fans
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 has fewer fans than the average graphics card (1 vs 3).
  • 15 °C higher load temperature
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 has a higher load temperature than the average graphics card (82 °C vs 67 °C). The average graphics card has a load temperature of 67 °C.
  • 27 dB noisier at idle
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 has a higher idle noise level than the average graphics card (27 dB vs 0 dB). The average graphics card has an idle noise level of 0 dB.
  • No RGB lighting
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 does not include RGB lighting, the average graphics card does.
  • 30.7% lower boost clock speed
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,733 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

    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,733 MHz vs 2,500 MHz). The average graphics card has a boost GPU clock of 2,500 MHz.1733 MHz vs 2500 MHz
  • 2 fewer fans
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 has fewer fans than the average graphics card (1 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

    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 has fewer fans than the average graphics card (1 vs 3).1 vs 3
  • 3.2x larger process node
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 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

    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 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
  • 20 fewer compute units
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 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

    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (20 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.20 vs 40
  • 47.4% slower memory speed
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 has a lower effective memory speed than the average graphics card (10,000 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

    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 has a lower effective memory speed than the average graphics card (10,000 MHz vs 19,000 MHz). The average graphics card reaches an effective memory speed of 19,000 MHz.10000 MHz vs 19000 MHz
  • 4 GB less VRAM
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 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

    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 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
  • 32.9% lower pixel rate
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 has a lower pixel rate than the average graphics card (110.9 GPixel/s vs 165.2 GPixel/s). The average graphics card has a pixel rate of 165.2 GPixel/s.
    What it is: Number of pixels the GPU can render per second
    When it matters: When you play at high resolutions or care about older raster-heavy games.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 has a lower pixel rate than the average graphics card (110.9 GPixel/s vs 165.2 GPixel/s). The average graphics card has a pixel rate of 165.2 GPixel/s.110.9 GPixel/s vs 165.2 GPixel/s
  • 61.2% lower FP32 performance
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 has a lower FP32 performance than the average graphics card (8.9 TFLOPS vs 22.86 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has FP32 performance of 22.86 TFLOPS.
    What it is: Single-precision floating-point performance in TFLOPs
    When it matters: When rendering, AI, or heavy compute work needs strong single-precision throughput.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 has a lower FP32 performance than the average graphics card (8.9 TFLOPS vs 22.86 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has FP32 performance of 22.86 TFLOPS.8.873 TFLOPS vs 22.86 TFLOPS
Total
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Performance
Memory
Platform & Features
Connectivity & Media
Power & Cooling
Design

Graphic comparison of NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 and

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Third-party reviews

United Kingdom
amazon
4.5
120 Reviews
amazon
4.4
58 Reviews
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.4
133 Reviews
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4.4
63 Reviews

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

What customers like about NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080?

  • Exceptional generational performance leap over previous cards like the GTX 980 and Titan X
  • Remains highly capable for 1080p and 1440p gaming even years after launch
  • Excellent power efficiency due to the 16nm FinFET process
  • Impressive clock speeds and strong overclocking potential
  • Founders Edition features a premium build with a vapor-chamber cooler and sturdy backplate
  • Operates quietly even under heavy stock-speed loads
  • Introduced helpful features like 'Fast Sync' to reduce latency without visual tearing

What customers dislike about NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080?

  • Founders Edition carries a significant price premium (often called an 'early-adopter tax') compared to partner cards
  • Does not support modern features like Ray Tracing or DLSS found in the newer RTX series
  • Struggles to maintain a consistent 60fps in true 4K gaming on modern high-detail settings
  • Founder’s Edition blower-style cooler can run hot (around 80-84°C) under sustained load
  • Potential for thermal throttling during heavy overclocking with stock cooling
  • Competing cards (like those with HBM) can be physically smaller than the GTX 1080

Expert reviews

T
techpowerup.com
13/02/2017
Gigabyte GTX 1080 Aorus Xtreme Edition 8 GB Review If you would like to explore further, I can filter these by specific custom board partners (like AS...

The Gigabyte GTX 1080 Aorus Xtreme Edition is a premium, factory-overclocked card offering approximately 9% faster performance at 4K than the reference design, featuring a quiet, robust triple-slot cooler and a 4-year warranty. While offering high performance, the card is expensive, features a significantly higher power draw, and uses a restrictive power limit that limits...Read more

T
techpowerup.com
13/06/2016
MSI GTX 1080 Gaming X 8 GB Review

The TechPowerUp review of the MSI GTX 1080 Gaming X highlights the card as a premium custom-design GPU featuring the TwinFrozr VI cooler, which provides excellent thermal efficiency and ultra-quiet operation. Key advantages include a solid factory overclock (up to 1847 MHz), a 10-phase power design, and a zero-RPM fan mode for total silence during low loads. YouTube · However, the...Read more

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techpowerup.com
14/06/2016
Gigabyte GTX 1080 G1 Gaming 8 GB Review

The TechPowerUp review of the Gigabyte GTX 1080 G1 Gaming highlights the card as a compelling, custom-engineered alternative to NVIDIA's reference model, featuring an out-of-the-box factory overclock and an effective WindForce 3X cooler. Key pros include cool 70°C load temperatures, an idle-fan-off feature for silence, customizable RGB lighting, and a $649 launch price that undercut...Read more

E
eurogamer.net
06/06/2019
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 benchmarks: good for 4K, great for high-fps 1440p

The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 remains a capable graphics card for high-resolution PC gaming, delivering solid performance particularly at 1440p and entry-level 4K resolutions. In benchmarks across several titles, the Founders Edition card consistently showcases its strengths by maintaining playable frame rates at ultra settings, hitting an average of 60.64 fps in Assassin's Creed...Read more

D
digitalfoundry.net
07/07/2018
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 review

The Digital Foundry review of the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 highlights a major generational leap, with the 16nm Pascal architecture delivering unprecedented single-GPU performance that surpasses the GTX 980 and Titan X. Key advantages include the 2560 CUDA cores, 8GB of fast GDDR5X memory, and a 180W TDP, allowing for high frame rates and improved efficiency compared to previous...Read more

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anandtech.com
20/07/2016
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 & GTX 1070 Founders Edition Review

The AnandTech review of the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 and GTX 1070 Founders Edition highlights a massive generational leap in performance and efficiency driven by the transition to the 16nm FinFET Pascal architecture. The pros center heavily on groundbreaking performance metrics; the flagship GTX 1080 successfully beats previous heavyweights like the GTX Titan X and GTX 980 Ti by...Read more

F
forbes.com
17/05/2016
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Is The Fastest GPU We've Tested, But Also The Best Enthusiast 'Value'

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 is identified as the fastest consumer GPU at launch, delivering superior performance, 180W power efficiency, and high value through 16nm Pascal architecture and 8GB GDDR5X. Benchmarks highlight advantages over previous flagships and superior DirectX 12/VR capabilities, making it a high-value, albeit expensive, option for enthusiasts. Key limitations noted...Read more

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pcmag.com
17/05/2016
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 (Founders Edition) Review

The PCMag review of the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 Founders Edition awards a 4.5/5 rating, highlighting it as the fastest single GPU at launch, capable of 60fps 4K gaming and featuring a highly efficient blower-style cooler. Powered by the Pascal architecture, the card delivers significant generational performance gains and excellent overclocking headroom, making it an ideal choice for...Read more

I
ign.com
15/12/2016
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 Founder's Edition Review

The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 Founder's Edition marks a massive two-generation leap in GPU performance, serving as the first graphics card built on Nvidia’s efficient 16nm Pascal architecture. Shifting from planar to vertically stacked FinFET transistors allows Nvidia to pack 8GB of faster GDDR5X memory and 25 percent more CUDA cores into a compact 314mm² die, significantly outpacing...Read more

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techradar.com
01/06/2016
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 review

Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 Review Summary The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 delivers exceptional graphics performance powered by the Pascal architecture, making it an excellent choice for 4K gaming and high-refresh-rate displays. Built on a 16nm FinFET process, the card packs 2,560 CUDA cores, 8GB of GDDR5X VRAM, and a boost clock of 1,733 MHz to output an impressive 9 TFLOPs of computing...Read more

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trustedreviews.com
27/05/2016
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 Review

The Trusted Reviews evaluation awards the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 a 4.5/5 rating, marking a significant milestone in Pascal-based gaming performance with double the power of the GTX 980. Key pros highlighted include advanced GDDR5X memory, impressive overclocking headroom, a 180W TDP, and exceptional VR performance, all packaged in an angular design. Conversely, the review notes the...Read more

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forbes.com
17/05/2016
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 Review: Hail To The King

Jason Evangelho’s Forbes review highlights the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 as a dominant GPU, utilizing 16nm FinFET Pascal architecture to offer a 42% speed increase over the GTX 980 with 7.2 billion transistors. Featuring 8GB of Micron GDDR5X memory, the card outperforms the Titan X and AMD Fury X while setting new standards for virtual reality performance. Key advantages include...Read more

T
techpowerup.com
17/05/2016
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 8 GBGo to product viewer dialogue for this item. Review

The TechPowerUp review of the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 highlights the "Pascal" architecture as a major generational leap, delivering superior performance over the GTX 980 while featuring 8 GB of GDDR5X memory. Key pros include exceptional power efficiency, roughly 166 watts in gaming, and strong 1440p/4K capability, alongside new features like DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI 2.0b, and Ansel....Read more

H
hardwarecanucks.com
17/05/2016
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Review

Summary The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Founders Edition represents a massive generational leap forward in graphical efficiency and performance. Built on TSMC’s 16nm FinFET process, the card packs 7.2 billion transistors into a lean 314mm² die while utilizing Micron's new GDDR5X memory to eliminate bandwidth bottlenecks. In real-world testing, it achieves a staggering 68% improvement...Read more

G
gamersnexus.net
17/05/2016
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Founders EditionGo to product viewer dialogue for this item. Review & FPS Benchmark

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Review Overview The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Founders Edition ($700) marks a highly successful debut for the 16nm FinFET Pascal architecture (GP104), replacing the traditional "Reference" naming scheme with a robust premium blower cooler. It effortlessly cements itself as the highest-performing consumer graphics card tested on the bench, making it an ideal...Read more

P
pcgamer.com
17/05/2016
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 review

The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 delivers a massive generational leap in performance and power efficiency by utilizing the new 16nm FinFET Pascal GP104 architecture, which shrinks the die size to 314 mm² and packs 7.2 billion transistors. It features 2560 CUDA cores, 8GB of fast Micron GDDR5X memory, and an enhanced memory compression engine that improves bandwidth effectiveness by...Read more

T
tomshardware.com
17/05/2016
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 Pascal Review

Performance and Technical Architecture The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 represents a massive architectural leap by transitioning to TSMC’s 16nm FinFET Plus process, allowing Nvidia to pack 7.2 billion transistors onto a compact 314mm² die. Powered by the GP104 Pascal processor, the graphics card delivers exceptional single-precision compute performance topping out at 8228 GFLOPs at its...Read more

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gamesindustry.biz
09/06/2016
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080: Deep Dive

The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 marks a significant leap in graphics technology by debuting the Pascal architecture and moving to a 16nm FinFET manufacturing process. Packed with 7.2 billion transistors and 8GB of advanced GDDR5X memory, this card delivers massive performance upgrades. Its core strengths (pros) include outstanding benchmarks at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K resolutions,...Read more

A
arstechnica.com
17/05/2016
Nvidia GTX 1080 review: The new performance king

The Nvidia GTX 1080, built on the 16nm Pascal architecture with 8GB of GDDR5X memory, delivers a substantial generational leap by outperforming the older Titan X and GTX 980 Ti by 20 to 35 percent, and doubling the frame rates of the 780 Ti. In real-world gaming, this allows the card to effortlessly run most titles at over 100 FPS at 1440p resolution and comfortably handle...Read more

T
tweaktown.com
17/05/2016
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Review - Hail to the King, Baby

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Founders Edition represents a massive generational leap in graphics performance by utilizing the 16nm FinFET Pascal architecture and 8GB of Micron's high-speed GDDR5X memory on a 256-bit bus. Delivering 9 TFLOPs of performance with a base clock of 1607MHz and a boost clock of 1734MHz, the card effortlessly outperforms the Titan X, GTX 980 Ti, and AMD’s...Read more

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gamestar.de
03/06/2016
MSI Geforce GTX 1080 Gaming X 8G - Besser als die Founders-Edition

based on the provided text: Review Summary The MSI Geforce GTX 1080 Gaming X 8G is a heavily factory-overclocked custom version of Nvidia’s Pascal flagship GPU, priced at launch around 780 Euro. Tested on an Intel Core i7 4770K system clocked at 4.5 GHz, the card features a standard core clock of 1,708 MHz and a boost clock of 1,847 MHz in OC mode. It is equipped with 8.0 GB of...Read more

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geeknetic.es
20/06/2016
EVGA Geforce GTX 1080 Superclocked ACX 3.0Go to product viewer dialogue for this item.

The EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 Superclocked ACX 3.0 is a factory-overclocked graphics card based on NVIDIA’s 16nm Pascal architecture, featuring 2560 CUDA cores and 8GB of GDDR5X VRAM. It retains NVIDIA's reference 5 phase power design and a maximum 180W power consumption via a single 8-pin connector, but it boosts performance with a 100MHz factory overclock on the GPU, reaching base...Read more

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profesionalreview.com
22/06/2016
MSI GTX 1080 Gaming XGo to product viewer dialogue for this item. Review en Español

MSI GTX 1080 Gaming X Review Summary The MSI GTX 1080 Gaming X is a high-performance graphics card built on NVIDIA's 16 nm FinFET Pascal architecture, specifically using the GP104-200 chip with 2,560 CUDA cores, 160 TMUs, and 64 ROPs. It features 8GB of advanced GDDR5X memory running stably at 5,500 MHz, making it well-suited for high-refresh-rate 1440p and 4K gaming with G-Sync....Read more

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profesionalreview.com
15/06/2016
Nvidia GTX 1080 Review en Español (Análisis completo)

The Nvidia GTX 1080 Founders Edition is a high-end graphics card built on TSMC's 16nm FinFET process and the Pascal GP104 architecture. It features 2,560 CUDA cores and 8GB of GDDR5X memory running at 10 GHz on a 256-bit bus. Designed specifically for 4K resolution gaming and virtual reality (VR), the card performs with base clock speeds of 1607 MHz and a boost clock of 1733 MHz. In...Read more

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geeknetic.es
27/08/2016
Zotac Geforce GTX 1080 AMP ExtremeGo to product viewer dialogue for this item.

The Zotac GeForce GTX 1080 AMP Extreme is a massive, highly customized graphics card built on Nvidia’s 16nm Pascal architecture. It features 8GB of GDDR5X memory on a 384-bit bus and delivers exceptional out-of-the-box performance due to a significant factory overclock. Zotac raised the base clock to 1771MHz and the boost clock to 1911MHz. The memory frequency is bumped to 1350MHz....Read more

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multiplayer.it
06/07/2016
MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Gaming X 8G - Recensione

The MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Gaming X 8G is a premium custom graphics card built on NVIDIA's 16nm Pascal architecture (GP104 chip). Designed for enthusiasts looking to push beyond 1440p boundaries, it features 2560 CUDA cores, 8GB of fast GDDR5X memory, and an enhanced power delivery setup consisting of one 6-pin and one 8-pin connector. MSI has factory-overclocked this variant to reach...Read more

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hwupgrade.it
11/11/2016
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080: 6 schede a confronto tra Founders e Custom

summary of the hardware review: Review Summary This review evaluates five custom NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 graphics cards—specifically the Gigabyte G1 Gaming, PNY XLR8 OC Gaming, Asus Strix OC, Zotac AMP! Extreme Edition, and Inno3D iChill X3—comparing them directly against NVIDIA's own Founders Edition. Testing reveals that these custom-designed models leverage factory overclocks,...Read more

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hwupgrade.it
27/06/2016
Gigabyte GTX 1080 G1 Gaming: la prima scheda custom

The HWUpgrade review of the Gigabyte GTX 1080 G1 Gaming highlights a custom 16nm Pascal card with an upgraded 8 phase power design and factory overclocking to a 1860 MHz boost clock. Featuring the Windforce 3X cooler, the card aims to improve on the Founders Edition with lower temperatures and enhanced rigidity. YouTube · The card boasts pros including superior thermal management...Read more

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hardware.info
17/05/2016
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 review: de nieuwe koning?

The Hardware Info article reviews the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 as a powerful flagship GPU built on the 16nm GP104 architecture, delivering a massive generational leap in performance and features. A major pro highlighted in the review is its robust multimedia capabilities, including upgraded hardware-based HEVC encoders and decoders that seamlessly handle 10-bit and 12-bit Ultra HD...Read more

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