GeForce GTX 1080 vs GeForce RTX 2080
The GeForce RTX 2080 pulls ahead here — in a different league, about 46% ahead of the GeForce GTX 1080. But the GeForce GTX 1080 is the better value, undercutting it by $115 USD for the performance you get.
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GeForce RTX 2080 vs GeForce GTX 1080: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce RTX 2080 vs GeForce GTX 1080
The GeForce RTX 2080 is dramatically faster, around 46% ahead of the GeForce GTX 1080. That gap is enough to move it up a tier: the GeForce RTX 2080 is comfortable at 1080p, while the GeForce GTX 1080 is better matched to entry-level 1080p. The GeForce RTX 2080 packs 2,944 CUDA cores versus 2,560 on the GeForce GTX 1080.
Price & Value
Pricing has the GeForce GTX 1080 at $160 USD, $115 USD under the GeForce RTX 2080's $275 USD. Despite being slower, the GeForce GTX 1080 offers the better performance-per-dollar (~18% better value), so budget-focused buyers should weigh it carefully. The GeForce GTX 1080 is trading below its $599 USD MSRP — a genuine deal. The GeForce RTX 2080 is trading below its $699 USD MSRP — a genuine deal.
Power & Efficiency
At 180W vs 225W, the GeForce GTX 1080 is the gentler load on your system. The GeForce RTX 2080's extra power draw buys more performance per watt, not just more heat — worth it if your PSU has the headroom. Its more modern Turing architecture on a TSMC 12nm process is part of why it does more with each watt.
Memory & Bandwidth
The GeForce RTX 2080'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 2080 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 2080?
Choose the GeForce RTX 2080 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 2080 better than the GeForce GTX 1080?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce GTX 1080 or the GeForce RTX 2080?
Is the GeForce RTX 2080 worth the extra $115 USD over the GeForce GTX 1080?
Which should you buy: GeForce GTX 1080 or GeForce RTX 2080?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1080 | GeForce RTX 2080 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Pascal | Turing |
| Process Node | TSMC 16nm | TSMC 12nm |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 2,560 | 2,944✓ |
| Ray Tracing Cores | — | 46 |
| Tensor / AI Cores | — | 368 |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1080 | GeForce RTX 2080 |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,607 MHz✓ | 1,515 MHz |
| Boost Clock | 1,733 MHz✓ | 1,710 MHz |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1080 | GeForce RTX 2080 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5X | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bus | 256-bit | 256-bit |
| Memory Speed | 10 Gbps | 14 Gbps✓ |
| Bandwidth | 320 GB/s | 448 GB/s✓ |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1080 | GeForce RTX 2080 |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 3.0 x16 | PCIe 3.0 x16 |
| TDP | 180 W✓ | 225 W |
| Power Connectors | 1x 8-pin | 1x 6-pin + 1x 8-pin |
| Released | May 2016 | Sep 2018 |