Those were the days when GTX 1080 Ti made its first ground-breaking appearance, and instantly won the hearts of millions.
Kudos to Nvidia for pitching in such a magnificent card. For its time, the card was superfluous and proposed guileless features. Not to mention, GTX 1080 Ti was the first card to implement 4k gaming experience and made features like overclocking a child’s play.
Seriously, everything was at one’s disposal. I remember using GTX 1080 Ti for gaming at ultra-settings, and the experience was seamless and euphoric. It was only possible because of the use of pascal architecture, enormous implementation of CUDA cores (3584), and a whopping 11GB of 352-bit GDDR5X memory. On top of that, the same card made VR usage a rampant one. Did I mention that the founder edition of GTX 1080 Ti is considered one of the best GTX 1080 Ti graphics cards?
Additionally, for overclocking enthusiasts, there are discrete variants to look from. It might turn out a thesis of astrophysics, but Nvidia does not manufacture the cards. They simply send away their chipsets to different brands and companies put GPU-board and tweak the chipset as per their inclinations.
Hence, making a single GTX 1080 Ti chipset available in so many configurations. The real problem arises when you are oblivious of the basic needs of a card, and how possibly an alienated version can kill your whole system. I felt compelled to write such a detailed and insightful product review for the best GTX 1080 Ti graphics cards.
Before moving towards the actual session of the product review, I would like to make a few pointers clear and sound.
What bulletins to consider before buying any variant of Nvidia 1080 Ti?
- Size: No one usually pays heed to the dimensions of the card, either because they are plain dumb, or hasty. Sizes play an important role because if you end up getting the wrong card, what would you do? Either you will get a replacement with some percentage cut off for being not attentive enough, or live it (if no warranty). Ultimately, you would have to choose your poison. So, what’s the best approach to it? Firstly, measure all the PCIe slots of your motherboard, take measurements for the case, and then cross-check the measured results with the card’s specification. In this way, you would be able to slot in a compatible GeForce GTX 1080 Ti.
- Cooling System: We all know how these tier S cards run hotter than usual because of the ensuing complex mathematical and geometrical calculations. Now imagine; initially, the card is burning on lava, and on top of that, your card doesn’t have a proper cooling solution. To top it off, you are using it in an overclocked model. I would only say, “get ready for a heart-wrenching burial.” My dear lads, the cooling system plays a major role in safeguarding your card against soaring temperatures. Proper ventilation is a must for the cards like Nvidia 1080 Ti. Your only clear cut is to get a variant that offers smooth airflow (in and out) without making any audible noise. Generally, cards have two possible layouts for cooling. Number one is the heatsink conduction (fans), and number two liquid cooling. The ultimatum would be either for a variant with at least three fans running or a liquid cooling system.
- Overclocking: It goes without saying that overclocking is a must feature if you want to achieve 4k seamless gaming performance. For the best GTX 1080 Ti graphics cards, you need to ensure that whatever variant you plan to slot in your system should have decent overclocking profiles.
- Compatibility: You need to be fully aware of how compatibility can affect your system’s performance. The three components which go hand in hand with GPU are Motherboard, CPU, and Power supply. In layman’s terms, you would need to ensure that the socket/PCIe slot for the GPU on the motherboard is effective enough to sustain the GeForce 1080 Ti. For the CPU, you need to be ensured that the processor pairs well enough with your card; otherwise, it would end up resulting in a complete bottleneck (For 1080 Ti, I would say at least get core i5 processors (6th generation, maybe), and for AMD Ryzen 7). Lastly, the power supply plays an important role. If you have a low-rated PSU or one from an unknown brand, then my brother, you have planted a ticking time bomb. I would say go for a renowned brand like Corsair or Antec and get at least a 600W power supply.
- Connectivity: when we talk about connectivity, we usually mean that sort of features and ports the card brings in-for example, DisplayPort, HDMI port, and dual-link DVI-D port. These ports usually strengthen your connection and propose a different set of rules. For instance, DisplayPort is considered to be the best for rendering objects on the screen, whereas VGA is just a child with a lollipop. Not to mention, DVI is also an outdated port; hence it is better not to use it if you aim to game at 4k resolution. When it boils down to choosing between 3x DP/ 1x HDMI or 2x DP/2x HDMI GTX 1080 Ti, the decision is always a mess, so you should prepare yourself for the inevitable.
- Manufacturer: It might come off as non-essential, but manufacturers, aka vendors, decide a lot about how the performance would be. For example, no one likes ZOTAC for its unusual usage of heatsinks. These heatsinks at times do not function well, making ZOTAC flagged as bad for temperature. Similarly, MSI or ASUS is taking the lead because of a considerable number of features in favor of the users.
Now it’s time to shed light on some of the top-notch variants of GTX 1080 Ti. Without any further ado, let’s begin!
6 prime best GTX 1080 Ti graphics cards
| Title Earned | Model | Amazon Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best quietest GTX 1080 Ti card | 4.6/5 | Buy on Amazon | |
| Best GTX 1080 Ti brand card | 4.6/5 | Buy on Amazon | |
| Best overall GTX 1080 Ti card | 4.5/5 | Buy on Amazon | |
| Best MSI GTX 1080 Ti card | 4.5/5 | Buy on Amazon | |
| Best fastest GTX 1080 Ti card | 4.2/5 | Buy on Amazon | |
| Best performative GTX 1080 Ti card | 4.0/5 | Buy on Amazon |
Best quietest GTX 1080 Ti card
It’s so common to put a performative/overall card on top of the list, but does it matter? In my opinion, no. When we consider something phenomenal, we have to take measurements from possibly everywhere. You just can’t act like a clown because your opinion differs significantly from others. The EVGA GTX 1080 Ti SC2 hybrid Editions is such a card that brings in quietness while gaming (yes, even on overclocked mode). Recent reports behold the card to be exceptionally best. Let’s see why!
Features
The SC2 hybrid edition combines elite cooling advancements and sprinkles it on the card to make it one of the quietest GTX 1080 Ti to date. The card brings sufficient monitoring algorithms and profiles so you can keep an eye on the fluctuating temperatures. Do you know the card won the hybrid award because it comes with a dedicated direct contact cooler that helps in maximizing your car’s performance! The water cooler is self-contained, which means you don’t have to tend to it that often. It can regulate itself without any human intervention, which again upholds the AI functionality.
It’s worth mentioning that the card features 11 global patents, nine additional sensors, EVGA precision XOC (for controlling overclocking profiles), hydro performance, and support for a multitude of motherboards. On top of that, you also get to hold of Nvidia Ansel, Nvidia G-sync, Nvidia SLI, OpenGL 4.6 support, safety fuse inlets, VR ready, Vulkan API, and a thunderbolt clocking ratio.
Design
Did you just assume that there will be no discernable looks? You are wrong! EVGA GTX 1080 Ti SC2 Hybrid edition makes sure that the user gets hold of both high-rated performance charts and looks like. The card features an on-sleek design and controlled heatsink layout that helps the chipset to remain cool. On top of that, the body is loaded with aluminum fins to allow the heat dissipation process to skyrocket indefinitely. Not to mention, there’s a specific radiator size that comes with the card. In the future, if there’s a need to replace the radiator, make sure you get the right size. Sorry, but GPUs have fixed dimensions, so you need to be careful about that
Specifications
| CUDA Cores | 3584 |
| Base Clock | 1556 MHz |
| Boost Clock | 1670 MHz |
| BUS | PCIe 3.0 |
| Memory | 11264 MB GDDR5X |
| Memory Bit Width | 352 Bit |
| Memory bandwidth | 484.4 GB/s |
- Loaded with optimized features
- Spell-bounding body
- Maximized overclocking potential
- The Quietest card on the list
- Expensive
Best GTX 1080 Ti brand card
The card has mind-blowing heredity with the 1080 Ti SC2 Hybrid Edition since both the cards belong to EVGA. Surprisingly, GeForce GTX 1080 Ti FTW3 Gaming has a lot to offer in design, gaming, and cooling. Many users reported seamless and outstanding gaming performance, with nearly zero drops in frames from the recently surveyed data. Not to mention, the card is Virtual reality ready, which means now you can run VR games smoothly.
Features
The card features a total of 11 global patents, iCX, from EVGA for efficiency. It’s not surprising to see the card inherit most of the SC2 hybrid edition’s features. Just like the previous entity, you get to hold off nine additional sensors for temperature monitoring. You can also toggle on and off an individual overclocking profile, which is a fair enough feature for such a card. Not to mention, the card offers a Simultaneous multi-projection module that improves performance in VR titles. You get to hold Nvidia Ansel, Nvidia G-sync, Nvidia GPU Boost 3.0, Vulkan API, Maximum resolution of 7680×4320 (8k 60Hz), and EVGA precision XOC (for overclocking profiles). It’s also worth adding that you get to bask in Nvidia SLI, Nvidia Game Stream, and the availability of Direct X 12 for enhanced gaming performance.
Last but not least, the card also offers OpenGL 4.6 support for rendering, HDMI 2.0b, DisplayPort 1.4, dual-Link DVI, and Asynchronous fans.
Design
For the design, you get hold of a simply laden shroud that helps your GPU to withstand soaring temperatures. To be honest, the three fans on the shroud help propel heat at a greater rate, making it one of the best variants for GTX 1080 Ti. Not to mention, multiple aluminum fins also increase the card’s resistance and make it durable in the summers.
Specifications
| GPU Clock | 1569 MHz |
| GPU Boost Clock | 1683 MHz |
| Connectivity | 3 x DisplayPort 1.4 1x HDMI 2.0 1x DL-DVI-D |
| BUS | PCIe 3.0 |
| CUDA cores | 3584 |
| Memory | 11264 MB GDDR5X |
| Memory Bit Width | 352 Bit |
| Memory bandwidth | 484.4 GB/s |
- Excellent Cooling
- Amazing profiles for overclocking
- Simple design
- Power consumption is higher
Best overall GTX 1080 Ti card
I like ASUS GTX 1080 Ti ROG Strix Edition more because of its on-sleek design and multiple customization options. I recently came across many users talking about this particular variant because of high VR compatibility and durable shroud. Not to mention, the ROG Strix focuses more on performance than on aesthetics; nonetheless, the card looks cute.
Features
Before I pen down any features, I would like to mention that the card delivers a 35% faster performance than any other variant. There’s a reason for it taking a little low number only because of a couple of shortcomings. The card offers MaxContact technology that improves thermal rates by a factor of 2. In addition to that, you get hold of patented Wing-Blade IP5X, which ensures that your card has maximized airflow. On top of that, the card is equipped with hybrid-controlled fan headers for optimal system cooling. These fan headers ensure that the card propels heat at a decent rate, making it best for overclocking niches. Not to mention, you also get hold of Aura Sync compatibility, which blesses your card with beautiful dancing lights. You can toggle on and off and change lights as per your will through the third-party software of ASUS. Usually, you don’t get VR-friendly HDMI ports with the GTX 1080 Ti card, but this particular variant goes a notch further. Exactly! You can now have VR-friendly HDMI ports for better gaming visuals and experience. All you have to do is simply connect the GPU without needing to swap cables.
Last but not least, you can customize your GPU with GPU Tweak II for enhanced gaming performance.
Design
As far as the design is concerned, the card offers you Super Alloy power II, which ensures the GPU’s robustness and durability. As the name suggests, the card is drawn from alloys, making it another strong GPU on the list. Not to mention, aluminum fins and heatsinks cover the card; thus, allowing it to dissipate heat at a larger rate. It’s worth mentioning that the shroud has a shiny luster that makes the card mesmerizing and spell-bounding for the aesthetics. All in all, ASUS GTX 1080 Ti is a go-to card if you care about VR compatibility and maximized performance.
Specificaitons
| GPU Clock | Gaming Mode: 1569 MHz OC Mode: 1594 MHz |
| GPU Boost Clock | Gaming Mode: 1683 MHz OC Mode: 1708 MHz |
| BUS | PCIe 3.0 |
| CUDA cores | 3584 |
| Memory | 11264 MB GDDR5X |
| Memory Bit Width | 352 Bit |
| Memory bandwidth | 484.4 GB/s |
- Quiet and efficient fans
- Best RGB profiles
- The best open-air cooling solution
- The most expensive variant
Best MSI GTX 1080 Ti card
To be honest, MSI cards have this aura of being exceptional and trustworthy. Well, GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X TRIO is one of those cards which is promising and future proof for the years to come. From the recently surveyed data, it can be inferred that many users reported the card being under-rated because of the dull shroud and bad reviews. In my opinion, GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X TRIO has a high potential of being the elitist of all the cards on the list.
Features
Firstly, the card is VR-compatible, which means that you can run any VR game by connecting a decent VR headset. It’s worth mentioning that the rendered images are of high quality and makes the gaming experience more fascinating. The reports show that the GTX 1080 Ti gaming TRIO offers low latency when paired up with a good VR headset. Not to mention, the card is powered by Pascal architecture, built using FinFET, and has the support for Direct X 12 features. Let me remind you, the future of gaming heavily depends on direct X 12, so you are in a good position if you aim to run the unreal engine.
In addition to that, the card offers enticing LED lights which can be toggled on and off from MSI’s proprietary software. All you have to do is connect the fan header to the motherboard for optimized RGB lighting. Did I forget to mention that the card uses an MSI mystic light module that is unique to MSI products only? Imagine flaunting about it to your friends since most of the GTX 1080 Ti users have the same lighting pattern, whereas MSI brings in something unorthodox into role play. Moreover, the card houses in TORX 2.0 fans have dispersion fan blade design and generate 22% more air pressure (helps reduce increasing temperatures).
Notwithstanding, the card offers a unique technology known as ZERO FROZR-stay undetected. It helps in eliminating fan noise, or let’s say; it makes sure that the card remains under passive cooling mode. In layman terms, under 60 degrees, the fans won’t spin.
Design
When we talk about the card’s heatsinks design, it’s unique and is laden with alloy and aluminum fins that radiate heat at an efficient rate. The card also is laden with smooth heat pipes on the copper base plate to ensure the card’s durability and robustness. Last but not least, the card uses Tri-FROZR thermal design for monitoring temperatures.
Specifications
| GPU Clock | 1683 MHz / 1569 MHz (OC Mode) 1657 MHz / 1544 MHz (Gaming Mode) 1582 MHz / 1480 MHz (Silent Mode) |
| BUS | PCIe 3.0 |
| CUDA cores | 3584 |
| Memory | 11264 MB GDDR5X |
| Memory Bit Width | 352 Bit |
| Memory bandwidth | 484.4 GB/s |
- Triple fan support
- Uses a unique cooling system
- Have its shortcomings in terms of fastness.
Best fastest GTX 1080 Ti card
When a new card is released into the market, its founder’s edition usually means the card retains its originality and has all the subscribed features. Well, personally speaking, my experience with the founder’s edition wasn’t up to the mark. Nonetheless, many users reported it working fabulously on their Ryzen processors.
Features
The card is loaded with pascal architecture, 11GBPs GDDRX 5 memory, and a massive 11 GB frame buffer. On top of that, you get to bask in absolute high-end VR performance, lowest latency rate, and EVGA precision software of enhanced controllability. Some of the key features include, precision XOC, HDMI 2.0b, DisplayPort 1.4, DVI, Max resolution of 7680 x 4320, Microsoft DirectX 12 API, Nvidia Ansel, Nvidia G-sync, Nvidia GameStream, Nvidia GPU boost 3.0, Nvidia SLI w/ HB bridge support, OpenGL 4.6 support, PCI Express 3.0 and Vulkan API. Not to mention, the card can support up to 4 monitors without budging.
Design
There isn’t much to spell out for the design, but you get hold of a decent shroud, a single fan for heat dissipation coverage, and multiple heatsinks. Having a single fan is indeed a bummer, and if you are planning to overclock the card, then don’t bother, because it can lead to ultimate death. The founder edition is not suitable for maximized overclocking niches; hence you need to ponder your decisions. For aesthetics, it’s still a decent card. All in all, it’s suitable for high-end gaming with limitations.
Specificaitons
| CUDA Cores | 3584 |
| Base Clock | 1480 MHz |
| Boost Clock | 1582 MHz |
| BUS | PCIe 3.0 |
| Memory | 11264 MB GDDR5X |
| Memory Bit Width | 352 Bit |
| Memory bandwidth | 484.4 GB/s |
- Decent game profiles
- Multiple monitor connections
- Not optimized for overclocking
- Less fans
- Works averagely
Best performative GTX 1080 Ti card
Well, it’s the last card on our list, and the only reason it took this spot is because of heating issues. Yes, Zotac is renowned for having some heating problems, but regardless it’s a decent go-to graphics card if you need everything at your disposal.
Features
The card comes with a surfeit of features. Some of them include, Ice Storm Cooling, Metallic Backplate, Freeze Fan stop, power boost, SPECTRA LED lighting system, 16+2 power phase. Not to mention, the card is future proof (at least for a couple of years) with VR ready functionality. Not to mention, the card makes use of passive cooling, Nvidia SLI, Nvidia Ansel, top-notch radiator for heat dissipation, and monitoring sensors.
Design
The card has a decent shroud for aesthetics with two fans. It means that it might not propel air at a larger rate when compared with other variants. Not to mention, there are a multitude of heatsinks sprinkled all over the keyboard for decent heat radiation. It’s also worth mentioning that there’s no RGB headers/RGB lighting.
Specificaitons
| CUDA Cores | 3584 |
| Base Clock | 1569 MHz |
| Boost Clock | 1683 MHz |
| BUS | PCIe 3.0 |
| Memory | 11264 MB GDDR5X |
| Memory Bit Width | 352 Bit |
| Memory bandwidth | 484.4 GB/s |
- Solid build quality
- Decent overclocking
- Use a lot of power
- Has temperature issues
Piecing out the final evidence
The real question arises, what’s the variant for your setup? Well, there’s no concrete answer to it, but let’s see what we can. I would recommend you to go for EVGA GTX 1080 Ti SC2 Hybrid Edition if you want something like an overall entity, that’s performance and overclockable. But if you are looking forward to something in the budget, and decent, then EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Founders Edition might work out well for you.
It’s worth mentioning that my recommendation is not a word on stone. It could be biased, and it’s always best for you to check up your system Specifications against the GPU. It’s not like that the card I have will work flawlessly on your system.
I hope the guide was accessible and helped you understand the various variants of the GTX 1080 Ti card. Well, I’m looking forward to hearing from you. If you feel like I missed something or want to put your recommendation, feel free to do so.
Hey, I’m Muhammad Bilal. I’m a tech fanatic (also read: Gamer), who loves scrutinizing fine details. I aim to strive hard in my respective fields (as a writer and software programmer). Before pursuing my majors in a university (right now in A-levels), I want to spend time exploring and reviewing the latest technology.