GeForce RTX 4080 vs GeForce RTX 5080
Performance-wise the GeForce RTX 5080 is out front, significantly faster, roughly 22% up on the GeForce RTX 4080. It is also the stronger value pick here, so it's the easy recommendation if your budget allows.
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GeForce RTX 5080 vs GeForce RTX 4080: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce RTX 5080 vs GeForce RTX 4080
The GeForce RTX 5080 is significantly faster, around 22% ahead of the GeForce RTX 4080. That gap is enough to move it up a tier: the GeForce RTX 5080 is comfortable at 4K and high-refresh 1440p, while the GeForce RTX 4080 is better matched to 4K with upscaling and native 1440p. The GeForce RTX 5080 packs 10,752 CUDA cores versus 9,728 on the GeForce RTX 4080.
Price & Value
Right now the GeForce RTX 5080 starts at $1,220 GBP against $1,902 GBP for the GeForce RTX 4080. Because it's both faster and competitively priced, the GeForce RTX 5080 wins on performance-per-dollar by about 90%. The GeForce RTX 5080 still sits about $221 GBP above its $999 GBP MSRP. The GeForce RTX 4080 still sits about $703 GBP above its $1,199 GBP MSRP.
Power & Efficiency
The GeForce RTX 4080 is the lighter draw at 320W against the GeForce RTX 5080's 360W, making it the easier card to power and cool. The GeForce RTX 5080 draws more in absolute terms but squeezes out more performance per watt, so budget for a beefier PSU if you go that route. Its more modern Blackwell architecture on a TSMC 4N process is part of why it does more with each watt.
Memory & Bandwidth
The GeForce RTX 5080's memory is faster — 960 GB/s versus 717 GB/s — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.
Generation & Longevity
The GeForce RTX 5080 is roughly 3 years newer than the GeForce RTX 4080 (Blackwell vs Ada Lovelace), so it generally benefits from a more modern architecture and longer driver-support runway.
Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 4080 or GeForce RTX 5080?
The GeForce RTX 5080 is the all-round winner here — it's faster and the better value, so buy it if it fits your budget. Only consider the GeForce RTX 4080 if you find it at a steep discount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GeForce RTX 5080 better than the GeForce RTX 4080?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce RTX 4080 or the GeForce RTX 5080?
Is the GeForce RTX 4080 worth the extra $682 GBP over the GeForce RTX 5080?
Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 4080 or GeForce RTX 5080?
Video Benchmarks & Review
RTX 3080 vs RTX 4080 vs RTX 5080
Video Highlights
Curated gameplay footage and benchmarking review from MxBenchmarkPC on YouTube.
Editorial Review: What the Benchmarks Show
MxBenchmarkPC tests the cross-generational high-end matchup: the RTX 4080 (16GB) vs the newer Blackwell-based RTX 5080 (16GB). The RTX 5080 maintains a consistent 15-25% advantage, leveraging GDDR7 memory speeds and DLSS 4 to establish a comfortable lead in next-gen gaming.
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce RTX 4080 | GeForce RTX 5080 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Ada Lovelace | Blackwell |
| Process Node | TSMC 4N | TSMC 4N |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 9,728 | 10,752✓ |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 76 | 84✓ |
| Tensor / AI Cores | 304 | 336✓ |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | GeForce RTX 4080 | GeForce RTX 5080 |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 2,205 MHz | 2,295 MHz✓ |
| Boost Clock | 2,505 MHz | 2,617 MHz✓ |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce RTX 4080 | GeForce RTX 5080 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6X | GDDR7 |
| Memory Bus | 256-bit | 256-bit |
| Memory Speed | 22.4 Gbps | 30 Gbps✓ |
| Bandwidth | 716.8 GB/s | 960 GB/s✓ |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | GeForce RTX 4080 | GeForce RTX 5080 |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 4.0 x16 | PCIe 5.0 x16 |
| TDP | 320 W✓ | 360 W |
| Power Connectors | 1x 16-pin | 1x 16-pin |
| Released | Sep 2022 | Jan 2025 |
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