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GeForce GTX 1080 vs GeForce RTX 2070

Quick Verdict

Performance-wise the GeForce RTX 2070 is out front, noticeably faster, roughly 15% up on the GeForce GTX 1080. Value tips toward the GeForce GTX 1080, though: $1,164 EUR cheaper for what you get.

Maximum Capacity Reached. Remove a model to add another. (2/2)

VS
NVIDIA GeForce
GTX 1080
Price
€385āœ“
Performance
13/100
VRAM
8 GB GDDR5Xāœ“
Key Specs Advantage
+11% CUDA Cores (2,560 vs 2,304)
+7% Boost Clock (1,733 MHz vs 1,620 MHz)
NVIDIA GeForce
RTX 2070
Price
€1,481
Performance
15/100āœ“
VRAM
8 GB GDDR6āœ“
Key Specs Advantage
+40% Bandwidth (448 GB/s vs 320 GB/s)

GeForce RTX 2070 vs GeForce GTX 1080: In-Depth Breakdown

Performance: GeForce RTX 2070 vs GeForce GTX 1080

The GeForce RTX 2070 is noticeably faster, around 15% ahead of the GeForce GTX 1080. That gap is enough to move it up a tier: the GeForce RTX 2070 is comfortable at 1080p, while the GeForce GTX 1080 is better matched to entry-level 1080p.

Price & Value

Right now the GeForce GTX 1080 starts at $317 EUR against $1,481 EUR for the GeForce RTX 2070. Despite being slower, the GeForce GTX 1080 offers the better performance-per-dollar (~305% better value), so budget-focused buyers should weigh it carefully. The GeForce GTX 1080 is trading below its $599 EUR MSRP — a genuine deal. The GeForce RTX 2070 still sits about $982 EUR above its $499 EUR MSRP.

Memory & Bandwidth

The GeForce RTX 2070's memory is faster — 448 GB/s versus 320 GB/s — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.

Generation & Longevity

The GeForce RTX 2070 is roughly 2 years newer than the GeForce GTX 1080 (Turing vs Pascal), so it generally benefits from a more modern architecture and longer driver-support runway.

Which should you buy: GeForce GTX 1080 or GeForce RTX 2070?

Choose the GeForce RTX 2070 if you want the most performance and can absorb the higher price. If you're optimizing for value, the GeForce GTX 1080 stretches your money further for only slightly lower performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the GeForce RTX 2070 better than the GeForce GTX 1080?

The GeForce RTX 2070 is noticeably faster, roughly 15% ahead. The GeForce GTX 1080 is still worth it if value matters more than top-end frames.

Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce GTX 1080 or the GeForce RTX 2070?

Neither is a dedicated 4K card; both are best at 1080p. For 4K you'd want a faster GPU, or lean on upscaling.

Is the GeForce RTX 2070 worth the extra $1,164 EUR over the GeForce GTX 1080?

Only if you need the extra performance or features; on pure value the GeForce GTX 1080 comes out ahead.

Which should you buy: GeForce GTX 1080 or GeForce RTX 2070?

Choose the GeForce RTX 2070 if you want the most performance and can absorb the higher price. If you're optimizing for value, the GeForce GTX 1080 stretches your money further for only slightly lower performance.

Technical Specifications Comparison

Architecture & Cores

Architecture & Cores specifications comparison between GeForce GTX 1080 and GeForce RTX 2070
SpecificationGeForce GTX 1080GeForce RTX 2070
ArchitecturePascalTuring
Process NodeTSMC 16nmTSMC 12nm
CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores)2,560āœ“2,304
Ray Tracing Cores—36
Tensor / AI Cores—288

Clock Speeds

Clock Speeds specifications comparison between GeForce GTX 1080 and GeForce RTX 2070
SpecificationGeForce GTX 1080GeForce RTX 2070
Base Clock1,607 MHzāœ“1,410 MHz
Boost Clock1,733 MHzāœ“1,620 MHz

Memory

Memory specifications comparison between GeForce GTX 1080 and GeForce RTX 2070
SpecificationGeForce GTX 1080GeForce RTX 2070
VRAM Capacity8 GB8 GB
Memory TypeGDDR5XGDDR6
Memory Bus256-bit256-bit
Memory Speed10 Gbps14 Gbpsāœ“
Bandwidth320 GB/s448 GB/sāœ“

Connectivity & Power

Connectivity & Power specifications comparison between GeForce GTX 1080 and GeForce RTX 2070
SpecificationGeForce GTX 1080GeForce RTX 2070
InterfacePCIe 3.0 x16PCIe 3.0 x16
TDP180 W175 Wāœ“
Power Connectors1x 8-pin1x 8-pin
ReleasedMay 2016Oct 2018