Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 Super
Nvidia has addressed the biggest concern with the original RTX 4080: its price. The new GeForce RTX 4080 Super offers a slight performance boost and a significant $200 price cut, landing at $999. This makes it a compelling option for 4K gaming. Does this make it competitive against AMD’s Radeon RX 7900 XTX? Let’s delve into the details.
RTX 4080 Super: Specs, Features, and Performance
The RTX 4080 Super utilizes the full AD103 graphics die, unlike the original 4080. Key specifications include:
- CUDA Cores: 10,240
- Boost Clock: 2.55 GHz
- Memory: 16GB GDDR6X at 23 Gbps
- Power Consumption: 320W TGP
RTX 4080 Super Close-up
Compared to the original 4080, the Super variant has a 5% increase in CUDA cores and a slightly higher boost clock. This translates to a modest 2-3% performance improvement. The significant price reduction is the real game-changer.
The RTX 4080 Super supports all the latest Nvidia technologies: DLSS 3.5, Frame Generation, Reflex, G-Sync, and dual AV1 encoders. These features enhance gaming performance and offer valuable tools for content creators.
Benchmark Results: 4K and 1440p Gaming
Benchmarks were conducted on a high-end system using a Core i9-14900K processor and 32GB of DDR5 RAM. The RTX 4080 Super was compared against the original RTX 4080, the Radeon RX 7900 XT, and the RTX 4070 Ti.
4K Benchmark Results
Image: Adam Patrick Murray / IDG
At 4K resolution, the RTX 4080 Super and the Radeon RX 7900 XT deliver comparable performance, with each card excelling in certain titles. Nvidia’s architecture generally performs slightly better at 4K.
1440p Benchmark Results
Image: Adam Patrick Murray / IDG
At 1440p, the Radeon RX 7900 XT has a slight edge. However, both cards provide exceptional frame rates at this resolution.
Ray Tracing and Power Efficiency
In ray tracing benchmarks, the RTX 4080 Super outperforms the Radeon RX 7900 XT significantly, especially at higher ray tracing settings. Nvidia’s advanced ray tracing technology, combined with features like DLSS and Frame Generation, makes it the superior choice for ray-traced games.
Ray Tracing and Power Consumption
Note that the 7900 XTX above should read “7900 XT.”
Image: Adam Patrick Murray / IDG
The RTX 4080 Super is remarkably power-efficient, consuming considerably less power than the Radeon RX 7900 XT while delivering similar performance in traditional games.
The Verdict: RTX 4080 Super is the Best 4K GPU Under $1,000
Nvidia RTX 4080 Super
The $200 price reduction makes the RTX 4080 Super a compelling option. While performance gains are minimal compared to the original, the overall package—performance, ray tracing, power efficiency, and features—makes it the top choice for 4K gaming under $1,000.
Nvidia’s robust software ecosystem, including DLSS, Frame Generation, Reflex, and Broadcast, adds significant value. These features, combined with excellent performance and power efficiency, make the RTX 4080 Super the ultimate 4K graphics card in its price range.
RTX 4080 Super Side View
While the RTX 4070 Ti Super offers a more affordable option for 4K gaming, the RTX 4080 Super delivers superior performance. For those seeking the best possible experience without breaking the bank, the RTX 4080 Super is the clear winner.
