Both the Nvidia graphics cards 3070 Ti and 3080 might have a lot to offer you, depending on your requirements. However, you might not find both of them equally suitable for your PC.
Choosing the right one is not so difficult if you consider the important aspects that matter. Also, that is a crucial step you must take to find the best graphics card for yourself.
The Nvidia 3070 Ti and 3080 have quite some similarities as well as differences, as we shall see. You might find a significant difference in their performance even though they are based on the same chip architecture.
Going through the comparisons given below for the Nvidia 3070 Ti vs 3080 should help you make a well-informed decision.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Ti Vs 3080: Comparison
You must compare the significant features of both graphic cards to reach the right conclusion. Here are the main points of difference you must know between the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Ti and 3080:
1. Memory
Are you looking for an optimal gaming experience on your computer? You must get a graphics card with a memory amount of at least 6 GB. So, both of the graphics cards in question fit that category and are suitable for gaming requirements.
The RTX 3070 Ti has 8 GB GDDR6X memory, while the original RTX 3080 has 10 GB memory. There is a newer version of the RTX 3080 that features a memory of 12 GB.
Even though 6 GB is the minimum amount of memory required for 1080p gaming, 8 GB is the preferable amount. So, both the RTX 3080 and the RTX 3070 Ti have at least the recommended amount of memory. Now, that makes both of them suitable for 1080p gaming on your computer.
You might want to opt for the RTX 3080 for running high-end games more comfortably. However, you must not choose graphics based on this aspect only. This is an important thing to keep in mind while discussing the topic of RTX 3070 Ti vs 3080.
2. Dimensions
If you have not considered the dimensions of the graphics cards in question, you must do that as well. It is quite an important consideration to make while choosing a graphics card after all.
Not all computers might have enough space for the RTX 3070 Ti or the RTX 3080. So, you must check which one of these graphics cards can fit into your device.
The GeForce RTX 3070 Ti from Nvidia has the dimensions 30.48 x 5.59 x 11.94 cm, as per the product information. As for the RTX 3080, it measures 28.5 x 11.2 x 4 cm.
What if one of them does not have suitable measurements for your computer? In that case, you have to choose the other one or look for more options in the market.
3. Heat Dissipation
You must always try to get a graphics card with low heat dissipation for your computer. After all, that will help you ensure a long life for the electronics or panels in the enclosure.
So, Thermal Design Power (TDP) is an important consideration to make before buying a graphics card. You will find it given in Watts on the product descriptions for all graphics cards.
The fewer Watts you have to use for a graphics card, the better it is for your computer. When it comes to the Nvidia GeForce RTX, has a TDP of 290 W. On the other hand, the RTX 3080 has a TDP of 320 W, which is significantly higher.
4. Ports
The ports featured on a graphics card are yet another important aspect to consider. After all, your monitor would usually support specific types of connections. You can also connect it to an incompatible port using an adapter if you want to. However, a lot of people would want to avoid the need to buy an adapter for this purpose.
The RTX 3070 Ti features an HDMI port and 3 DisplayPort 1.4a ports on it. On the other hand, the RTX 3080 has an HDMI 2.1 port and 3 DisplayPort 1.4a ports. The RTX 3080 might be more suitable for the latest monitors than the RTX 3070 Ti.
5. Clock Speed
The clock speed is a crucial factor in how smooth your gaming experience is. So, you must also consider this aspect while deciding on RTX 3070 Ti vs 3080. A higher clock speed means a smoother gameplay experience on your computer. The GeForce RTX 3070 Ti offers a base clock speed of 1575 MHz and boosts clock speed of 1770 MHz.
You get a 1440 MHz base clock speed and a 1710 MHz boost clock speed on the RTX 3080. So its starting clock speed and maximum clock speed are lower than those of the RTX 3070 Ti.
In other words, you might get smoother gameplay with the RTX 3070 Ti in most cases. The 10 GB RTX 3080 falls behind significantly when compared with the RTX 3070 Ti in this aspect. However, its 12 GB version has a higher clock speed than the RTX 3070 Ti.
3 Tips to Choose the Right Graphics Card For Yourself
Getting a suitable graphics card is not always as simple as picking the one with higher specifications. Here are the important tips you must follow while choosing one for your computer:
1. Do not Spend only on the Graphics Card
The graphics card is not the only component that matters for gaming purposes. You must also spend a good amount on your CPU to ensure the best experience. So, you might want to save some money on the graphics card.
2. Do Not Rely on Overclocking
A lot of people might buy graphics cards with lower clock speeds and then rely on overclocking. However, that is not the right way to proceed, as graphics cards usually do not let you overclock them much. So, you must simply buy one that has a higher clock speed, if that is required.
3. Consider Your Monitor’s Refresh Rate
Does your monitor offer you a high refresh rate? If yes, then getting a graphics card with a high refresh rate would be worth it. Otherwise, you would not see much difference in the performance if the monitor had a low refresh rate.
Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti Vs 3080: Conclusion
The Nvidia RTX 3080 has an overall better performance than the RTX 3070 Ti. However, that does not necessarily make it more suitable for your device as we have seen. You can still go for the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Ti if you want a decent gaming experience and to save some money.