Introduction
The Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Ti and RTX 3080 represent two powerful but distinct choices for high-end gaming and creative workstation GPUs. Released in May 2021 and September 2020 respectively, these graphics cards deliver exceptional performance powered by Nvidia‘s advanced Ampere architecture.
However, with a $200+ price gap between them, many shoppers face the critical decision – is the 3080 worth the extra cost over the 3070 Ti? Or does the newer 3070 Ti offer better value? This comprehensive review provides a detailed comparison of specs, real-world gaming fps, content creation benchmarks, power draw, thermal performance, and other key metrics to help you decide.
RTX 3070 Ti vs 3080 Specs Comparison
Here is a overview of how the key specifications stack up between the RTX 3070 Ti and RTX 3080:
| Specification | RTX 3070 Ti | RTX 3080 |
|---|---|---|
| CUDA Cores | 6144 | 8704 |
| Boost Clock Speed | 1.77 GHz | 1.71 GHz |
| Memory Size | 8GB GDDR6X | 10GB GDDR6X |
| Memory Interface | 256-bit | 320-bit |
| Memory Bandwidth | 608 GB/s | 760 GB/s |
| TDP | 290W | 320W |
| MSRP | $599 | $699 |
As the above table highlights, while the 3070 Ti has a slightly higher boost clock speed, the 3080 enjoys a considerable advantage in CUDA cores, memory capacity and bandwidth, reflecting its higher pricing. Let‘s analyze the impact of these GPU architecture differences in real-world games and applications.
Gaming Performance Benchmark Comparison
For gaming workloads in particular, more CUDA cores and memory bandwidth directly translate to higher frame rates. Benchmark results at max graphics settings for popular titles show the 3080 outperforming the 3070 Ti by 15-25% on average:
Furthermore, the 3080 delivers much smoother 60+ fps gaming at demanding 4K resolution. The 3070 Ti sees significant dips below 60 fps on several games at 4K. So for players wanting high refresh rate visuals, the 3080 is vastly superior.
Content Creation Benchmarks
Nvidia touted its Ampere architecture‘s huge leap for creative applications. Benchmarks indicate the 3080 remains 25-30% quicker for most production workloads like 3D modelling, video editing and architecture visualization. The faster memory and extra cores are more impactful for these professional use cases.
However, the 3070 Ti remains capable of delivering solid productivity with its spec advantage over the previous generation 2080 Super. For lighter workflows or budget-concious creators, it presents good value. But for serious professionals needing quick production timelines, the 3080 is quicker.
Thermal Design and Acoustics
The RTX 3070 Ti and 3080 Founders Edition cards sport similar dual axial flow through coolers to air cool the GPU and memory. However, owing to its higher power limit, the RTX 3080 outputs more heat. User reviews indicate that in well-ventilated PC cases, it runs within safe temperatures of 75-85°C while the 3070 Ti runs 5-7°C cooler.
Under prolonged heavy workloads, the 3080 ramps up fan speeds just a bit quicker which may create slightly more ambient noise. For most PC setups though, users do not report a huge audible difference.
Power Consumption and PSU Selection
The 3080‘s higher TDP also implies it needs more power specially under max boost scenarios. Here is a breakdown of total system power draw across idle, gaming and stress tests:
As such, system builders should consider at least a good 850W gold-rated power supply for the 3080. The 3070 Ti is fine with high quality 750W unit to remain stable and deliver long term reliability. Cost towards the PSU must be factored into upgrade budgets.
Dimension and Size Considerations
The RTX 3070 Ti measures 267 × 112 mm while the RTX 3080 FE model is sized at 285 × 112 mm thanks to the beefier cooler. When planning to replace existing GPUs, or selecting a new PC case, builders must double check for compatibility. Particularly compact Mini-ITX builds may face clearance issues with these bigger triple fan Ampere cards.
DLSS and Ray Tracing Performance
Nvidia‘s hardware accelerated ray tracing and Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) delivers huge performance boost in select game titles. Both GPUs leverage the new Ampere RT cores and Tensor cores to similar effect. However the 3080 does edge out in raw compute capacity to see 2-5% quicker ray tracing fps when benchmarked.
So for gamers wanting to maximize dedicated ray traced effects and resolution boost from DLSS, opting for the 3080 ensures greatest headroom. The 3070 Ti also works almost as fast thanks to shared Nvidia technologies.
Pricing and Availability
At suggested $599 vs $699 MSRPs, the 3070 Ti does present reasonable value thanks to its newer manufacturing status. However, ongoing market shortages have seen actual e-tail prices soar much higher -$900+ in many cases. At such inflated prices, the 3080 remains the smarter pick for serious gamers or professionals when available.
Checking stock trackers and signing up for restock notifications is key to have the best shot at ideal pricing for these GPU models.
The Verdict – Which GPU Should You Buy?
To summarize the key takeaways for shoppers trying to decide between the RTX 3070 Ti vs 3080:
- – The RTX 3080 is around 20-25% faster on average across gaming and creative workloads. It justifies its higher price tag through raw performance.
- – With a lower count of CUDA cores, slower memory and cooling challenges, the 3070 Ti struggles to keep up at higher 4K resolutions.
- – For content creators who value quick export times, the 3080 accelerates most production pipelines appreciably over its sibling.
- – If looking for the best value without compromising gaming fps much, grab whichever model you find close to MSRP pricing in today‘s volatile market.
While the 3070 Ti itself represents a capable high-end GPU for 1440p or entry level 4K gaming, choosing between the 3070 Ti vs 3080 ultimately comes down to budgets. Well funded enthusiasts will reap tangible benefit moving up to the RTX 3080 if current inflated prices normalize over due course.
