Leaked images suggest MSI might be developing a new RTX 5080 graphics card with a substantial 24GB of memory, a significant upgrade over the existing 16GB version. This potential upgrade has ignited speculation about whether this new variant could finally outperform the RTX 4090.
The leaks originated from MSI itself. Initially, a promotional video for the RTX 5080 Vanguard displayed a box clearly labeled “24GB GDDR7.” This represents an 8GB VRAM increase over the current RTX 5080 and matches the memory capacity of the RTX 4090. While this could have been dismissed as a simple error, MSI subsequently listed the same card on its website, highlighting its compatibility with the MSI X870 motherboard. This double confirmation lends credence to the possibility of a 24GB RTX 5080.
Logo on the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080.
The current RTX 5080 falls short of the RTX 4090’s performance. A significant VRAM boost, combined with MSI’s likely factory overclocking, could bridge the performance gap. While the CUDA core count difference might still prevent it from surpassing the RTX 4090 entirely, it would undoubtedly bring it much closer in terms of performance.
However, it remains uncertain whether this 24GB variant will actually be released. While the leaks seem promising, it is also plausible that this enhanced memory configuration will be reserved for a future RTX 5080 Ti or Super. Pricing is another concern. With some existing RTX 5080 models already selling for $600 above MSRP, a 24GB version would likely command a premium price.
