GeForce RTX 2080: Overview | Test | Specs | Is it Good for Gaming (Boost mode 1800 MHz) – The next generation Turing graphics architecture graphics card was announced on August 20, 2018. In the model range adapter GeForce RTX 2080 is the successor to the GeForce GTX 1080, but the manufacturer positions the new product as faster than the previous flagship GTX 1080 Ti. In addition, NVIDIA reports a stable 60 fps in games with 4K resolution. Whether these statements are true – let’s figure it out.
The GeForce RTX 2080 is based on the processor TU104, which has six GTC clusters with eight multiprocessor SM-blocks in each. The TU104 core can in principle have 3072 stream processors, however, due to two deactivated SM-blocks, the core of the considered model has only 2944 active CUDA stream processors.
Nvidia RTX 2080 & 2080 Ti REVIEW
The main promising features of the Turing architecture are the Variable Rate Shading, Mesh Shading and Texture Space Shading technologies, designed to speed up traditional rasterization. These innovations have all the potential to significantly improve performance, but require their implementation directly by video card developers. But Turing’s biggest breakthrough is real-time hardware-accelerated ray tracing, which will allow this ray tracing method to be used for rendering in games. It should be noted that these are just the first steps taken by NVIDIA in this direction. In this regard, the chipmaker is introducing hybrid rendering for the time being, in which ray tracing will be used using NVIDIA RTX technology to implement additional visual effects.
Pay attention to the presence of a new smoothing mode DLSS (Deep Learning Super-Sampling). This algorithm is a logical development of the TAA anti-aliasing method, but at the same time, improving image clarity does not require additional performance costs. Currently, this option is just beginning to be adopted by game manufacturers.
GeForce RTX 2080: Specifications
Let’s take a closer look at the characteristics of the new and predecessor versions of the Founders Edition.
| GeForce RTX 2080 | GeForce GTX 1080 | |
| GPU model (architecture) | TU104 (Turing) | GP104 (Pascal) |
| Technical process | TSMC 12 нм | TSMC 16 нм |
| Number of transistors | 13.6 billion | 7.2 billion |
| CUDA stream processors | 2944 | 2560 |
| Number of Tensor cores | 368 | – |
| Number of RT cores | 46 | – |
| texture blocks | 184 | 160 |
| Render units | 64 | 64 |
| Core clock (base) | 1515 MHz | 1506 MHz |
| Core clock (Boost) | 1800 MHz | 1683 MHz |
| Memory bus | 256 pages | 256 pages |
| Memory type | GDDR6 | GDDR5X |
| Memory frequency (effective) | 1750 (14000) MHz | 2500 (10010) MHz |
| Memory | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Bandwidth | 448 GB/s | 320 GB/s |
| power usage | 225 W | 180 W |
| Maximum temperature | 88 °С | 94 °C |
| Interface | PCI-E 3.0 | PCI-E 3.0 |
| Add. nutrition | 1x 8-pin + 1x 6-pin | 1x 8-pin |
| Communication | 2x NVLink | SLI |
A technical comparison of one-class models of the last two generations shows a noticeable superiority of the novelty. The GeForce RTX 2080 has 15% more stream processors, along with 40% more memory bandwidth. We also note the appearance of new RT and Tensor cores, although they will only be used in games that support the new NVIDIA RTX features.
The base core frequency of the RTX 2080 model is 1515 MHz, and in Boost mode 1800 MHz. This applies to the “classic” Founders Edition. For partner models, the turbo mode frequency is lower, and averages 1710 MHz. As a result of the frequency reduction, partner models have lower power consumption – 215 W, while the FE version has 225 W. Nevertheless, well-known video card manufacturers have already presented their “overclocked” versions of the GeForce RTX 2080, which have a Boost frequency of 1800 MHz and even higher. All models of the RTX series are equipped with Micron’s new GDDR6 memory with increased memory module frequencies. At the same time, their energy consumption remained at the same level.
The dimensions of the video card are as follows: 266.74 mm long, 115.7 mm wide, and the height is 2 slots. At the same time, we see a completely new case design. The cooling system is now represented by two axial 85 mm fans, instead of the usual “turbine”. Although similar coolers have been used by NVIDIA partners for a long time, the company itself uses this design for the first time. The new cooling system reduces the noise level by several decibels compared to single-class models of the Pascal architecture. The temperature under workload does not exceed 75 °C, which leaves a very good impression. But it didn’t do without a drawback – in the “idle” mode, the fans continue to work and do not turn off in principle.
Testing the GeForce RTX 2080 in games
The following stand configuration was used for testing:
- processor Intel Core i7-6850K,
- motherboard MSI X99S MPower,
- memory G.Skill F4-3200C14Q-32GTZ (32 GB),
- SSD Plextor PX-256M6Pro (256 MB),
- Corsair AX1500i power supply (1500 W),
- operating system Windows 10 Pro x64,
- GeForce 411.70 driver.
At the time of this writing, game projects with support for NVIDIA RTX technology are just getting ready for release, respectively, testing in games was carried out without using this option. The tests were carried out on the maximum graphics with a monitor resolution of 2560×1440 and 3840×2160. The screenshots show the average number of received fps.
Far Cry 5 test results
Test results in the game Ghost Recon: Wildlands
Test results in the game Assassin’s Creed: Origins
Test results in Kingdom Come: Deliverance
Results of testing in the game Rise of the Tomb Raider
Test results in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Test results in the game Battlefield 1
As the test results show, in the bulk of demanding gaming projects, the new product shows a serious superiority over the GeForce GTX 1080 model, as well as, albeit slightly, superiority over the GTX 1080 Ti. The exception was the game Rise of the Tomb Rider, where the RTX 2080 is several fps inferior to the previous flagship with the “Ti” suffix. Still, we must give credit to NVIDIA that the assertion about the superiority of the model under consideration over the GeForce GTX 1080 Ti was confirmed. Although in practical gaming applications, this slight superiority is unlikely to be seriously noticeable.
As for “stable 60 fps in 4K”, the GeForce RTX 2080 Founders Edition model in standard use (without overclocking) at the maximum graphics settings in some demanding game projects cannot show this level. Therefore, for a stable 60 fps in 4K, sometimes you have to play around with the settings.
According to the results in the benchmark 3DMark Fire Strike the new graphics card also scores much better than the GTX 1080, but slightly behind the GTX 1080 Ti.
Conclusion
In principle, NVIDIA did not deceive users by announcing a “more powerful video card” than the GeForce GTX 1080 Ti. Despite the fact that the RTX 2080 looks weaker than the 1080 Ti in some technical characteristics (fewer stream processors, texture units, render units, and a smaller memory bus), in games it shows, albeit a slight, but still superiority. However, for owners of the GeForce GTX 1080 Ti at present, switching to the 2080 model, in our opinion, will still be a dubious decision. Only if you’re itching to experience the benefits of Nvidia’s RTX. But it is still too early to talk about them due to the lack of games with this technology and the inability to conduct “live” tests.
Otherwise, the novelty has a lot of advantages over the brothers of the previous generation Pascal. Among them we single out the following. Significant performance boost over GeForce GTX 1080. 4K gaming capability, albeit with some limitations. Improved cooling system with reduced noise level.
Of the minuses, in addition to the current lack of widespread RTX and DLSS, one can, of course, single out the relatively high cost of the Founders Edition version – $ 799 or 63,990 rubles. It remains to be expected that NVIDIA partners will show more interesting proposals in terms of pricing.
