Gigabyte launches Geforce RTX 2080 Super card with water cooling

During the month of July, both AMD and Nvidia updated their product portfolios with new graphics cards, where the Radeon RX 5700 XT and RX 5700 go up against the Geforce RTX 2070 Super and RTX 2060 Super respectively. The latter duo was launched at the beginning of the month, but at the same time, the more powerful RTX 2080 Super was unveiled, which was not released for reference until 23 July.

► Read SweClocker’s test of the Nvidia Geforce RTX 2080 Super

Gigabyte is now launching two lavish variants of the latter, belonging to the Aorus Waterforce product series. As the name reveals, water cooling is on the menu and one model comes equipped with a closed water cooler connected to a 240 mm radiator, while the other is equipped with a water block for those who want to connect the card to a customized system.

AORUS Geforce RTX 2080 Super Waterforce is the name of the model with complete water cooler and the extension “WB” characterizes the variant with only water blocks. The cooling solution on the former consists of a copper plate that has contact with both the graphics circuit, memories and voltage management. The plate is in turn equipped with a combined pump and water block with a relatively low profile, which means that the card only occupies two expansion slots.

The back of the card is covered by a metal plate with RGB-equipped Aorus logo, but lighting is also available on the front and on the two included 120 mm fans. The more competent radiator solution comes with a marginally increased turbo frequency of 1,860 MHz, while the reference level is 1,815 MHz. Similar to Nvidia’s reference, the memory frequency of 15,500 MHz and power supply via two 8-pin PCI Express apply.

The version with only water blocks shares all specifications with the model described above, but the card is not as high. However, the need for two expansion slots remains because image connections cover two slots. Again, there is a cover plate of black metal and a nickel-plated copper block has contact with the components. On top of this you will find an RGB-illuminated acrylic block that guides the water.

When it comes to picture connections, the two Aorus models have a full seven, where one is USB Type-C according to Virtuallink, which means that data, power and image can be sent to VR headsets over a cable. In addition, three HDMI 2.0b and three Displayport 1.4 apply. The graphics cards come with a four-year warranty and will soon appear in stores, but exact price information is currently unknown.

What cooling solution do you use for your graphics card? Reference models from AMD and Nvidia, third-party cards or aftermarket coolers? Tell us in the comments thread!