The RTX 4080 is based on Nvidia’s Ada Lovelace architecture. It features 9,728 cores with base / boost clocks of 2.2 / 2.5 GHz, 16 GB of memory, a 256-bit memory bus, 76 3rd gen RT cores, 304 4th gen Tensor cores, DLSS 3 and a TDP of 320W. Performance gains will vary depending on the specific game and resolution. With a 4080 tier card 1080p in-game fps will often get CPU bottlenecked which prevents the GPU from delivering higher fps. At higher (often sub-optimal) resolutions (1440p, 4K etc) the 4080 will show increasing improvements compared to lesser cards. When fps are not CPU bottlenecked at all, such as during GPU benchmarks, the 4080 is around 50% faster than the 3080 and 25% faster than the 3090-Ti, these figures are approximate upper bounds for in-game fps improvements. The 4080 has an MSRP of $1,200 USD. Since PC gamers rarely buy AMD GPUs, Nvidia only have themselves to compete with. AMD continue to burn their credibility with PC gamers. Following a series of over-hyped releases which were heavily promoted on youtube, forums, reddit and twitter, consumers have little interest in the Radeon brand. As time goes on, AMD’s “Advanced Marketing” has a decreasing impact on consumers. Meanwhile, Nvidia remains focused on novel goals such as better graphics (RT/DLSS), frame consistency, game compatibility and driver stability. Consumers looking for better value should wait a few more months for the 4060 / 4070 models by which time AMD's 7900 series will also probably be heavily discounted. Alternatively, shoppers looking to buy in the near term should consider the last gen. 3060-Ti, which offers excellent real-world (1080p) performance at a fraction of the price ($400 USD).[Nov '22GPUPro]
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Nvidia’s 3080 GPU offers once in a decade price/performance improvements: a 3080 offers 50% more effective speed than a 2080 at the same MSRP. Given the widespread issues AMD users are facing with 5000 series GPUs (blue/black screens etc.), it is unlikely that AMD would have posed a rational threat to Nvidia’s market share this year. Nvidia’s price cuts are likely related to upcoming console updates. The seven year old hardware in both the Xbox One and Playstation 4 is due an update later this year. Whatever the motivation behind Nvidia’s price cuts, Christmas has come early for PC gamers who can look forward to an unparalleled gaming experience in class leading titles such as Cyberpunk 2077. At ultra settings, with ray tracing enabled, Cyberpunk 2077 redefines the boundaries of immersive gaming. It makes GTA5 look like Tetris in comparison. The combination of RTX+DLSS delivers stunning graphics that are several tiers higher than both AMD's best discrete GPUs and the upcoming consoles. In terms of real world performance, Nvidia’s 3000 series has more or less put AMD’s Radeon group in checkmate. Nonetheless, AMD’s marketers are capable of delivering elaborate BS albeit whilst struggling to keep a straight face. Their marketing infrastructure outsold Intel in the CPU market despite a 15% performance deficit. Without an appropriate social media marketing strategy, Nvidia will probably lose considerable market share, for all the wrong reasons.[Sep '20GPUPro]
