Final words and conclusion
Final words
The Palit GeForce RTX 4080 GamingPro OC is a custom-designed graphics card that represents NVIDIA's latest commitment to the performance segment. Despite being a step down from the company's flagship GameRock series, the GamingPro series offers all the essential features for each GPU and boasts a sleek design that will appeal to gamers who appreciate a visually striking build. In terms of pricing, it is expected to be closer to the manufacturer's suggested retail price of $1199. NVIDIA is placing a significant emphasis on the use of DLSS, with the inclusion of vastly improved Tensor cores that aid in the new DLSS 3.0, which currently offers a 2x performance increase. With correct implementation in future games, NVIDIA claims that a 3x or 4x performance boost is possible. However, there is ongoing debate about the value of frame injections beyond higher framerates. Ultimately, the visual quality displayed on the monitor is what counts, and in this regard, the GeForce RTX 4080 delivers. One obstacle that high-end graphics cards from NVIDIA face is pricing. Starting at $1199 and likely reaching prices of 1300 EUR, these cards are becoming increasingly unaffordable for most consumers. Additionally, the new power connector may raise concerns as bending the cable too close to the connector, combined with poor quality, can lead to hazardous situations. To avoid this, it is recommended to bend the cable 3-4cm above the connector level. Despite these concerns, all cards tested to date have been checked with FLIR imaging, and no issues have been observed on our side.
Performance
You've seen the numbers, and we've already let the cat out of the bag. It all comes down to gaming performance and, of course, rendering quality. Yes, the RTX 4080 provides more value for the money than seen from the 4090, as we're getting close to raw performance levels that easily enable gaming at 4K resolution. Most enthusiast gamers play at UWHD, QHD, or UHD monitor resolutions. This card is designed for precisely that kind of gamer.
The new rasterizer engine surpasses previous performance limitations through the utilization of 9K shading processors. The RTX 40 series boasts a new generation of ray tracing and Tensor cores that are more powerful than previous models. Despite a lower count of RT and Tensor cores, the overall performance of each unit is significantly improved due to their proximity to the shader engine. Tensor cores are difficult to measure, but initial observations indicate they are performing well, as demonstrated by the impressive results of DLSS3. In conclusion, the GeForce RTX 4080 is suitable for use at resolutions ranging from 2K (2560x1440) to 4K (3840x2160).
GeForce RTX 4080 versus GeForce RTX 4070 Ti
Recently, NVIDIA released the GeForce RTX 4070 Ti series. However, this review of the 4080 was completed before the release of the 4070 Ti cards, resulting in the absence of comparison data in the charts. Despite this, it is worth noting that the 4070 Ti may be a more attractive option for some consumers. To provide an objective comparison, a chart will be included in this review. Despite this, it should be noted that the 4080 is significantly faster, with performance increases reaching up to 28%.
Cooling & noise levels
The cooling design of this product, intended for enthusiasts and utilizing high levels of power, is exemplary. When operating at full load, the GPU consumes approximately 325 Watts, a direct correlation to the amount of heat generated within a closed chassis. The sound level, measured at 34 dBA, is incredibly silent. Under heavy stress, the temperature of the card is expected to reach 60-65°C, with the potential for slight variation based on the efficiency of airflow within the case. Thermal imaging using FLIR technology reveals no significant concerns.
Energy
We touched the topic a bit; the power draw under intensive gaming for GeForce RTX 4080 is high, especially when energy prices are soaring; this product isn't a good example. We measured it to be close to the 325 Watt range. This is the tradeoff for a bit more bite in performance for this graphics card model in particular. Gaming wise that number will fluctuate a bit; however, 275+ Watt it'll do in no time. We expect the board partner cards to show higher numbers as they get more TGP allowance.
Coil whine
Much like the 3080, the GeForce RTX 4080 does exhibit coil squeal. Is it annoying? It's at a level you can hear it. In a closed chassis, that noise would fade away in the background. However, you can hear minor coil whine/squeal with an open chassis. Graphics cards all make this in some sort or form, especially at high framerates this can be perceived. It's as good as it can get, and we have not been bothered by it.
Pricing
The reference/founder edition of NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 4080 costs USD 1199, which is too much for most of us to pay for something that can be used to play PC games. This product is so unique that it has its market. NVIDIA might have been able to charge even more for the product and still sell many of them. AIB will cost even more. Now, I can say all kinds of rude things about prices, but these products will still sell no matter what I say. Expect a 50 USD price premium for this GamePRO OC model.
Tweaking
The card performs well, but it does not have additional performance available on the power limiter. To achieve this, a more premium product is needed. However, the card's default power budget allows for extra performance. The clock frequency can be increased by +125~150 MHz, resulting in a GPU boost clock of 2900~3000MHz (frequencies may vary depending on the game title as they are dynamic). The memory can also be tweaked to 24+ Gbps, which provides a significant increase in performance of approximately 5% in challenging GPU situations, as measured against the performance of the founder edition reference. While these results are satisfactory, they are not exceptional.
Maker Feature on RTX 40 GamingPro series
Palit recently started enabling users to add their 3D-printed design on the cooler cover. Users can download the 3D files Palit provided on the website, and 3D print the cover to paint or create add-on elements on it. Simply removed the 4 screws on the front cooler, users can install the customized 3D-printed design on the GamingPro, and create the one and only graphics card that belongs to themselves. Palit provides two versions of 3D files. For 3D editing pros, the “Creator Version” offers a plain cover without any pre-design on it. Users can take it as basement to design their own cover and show their creativity. For general users, the "Painting Version" comes with pre-designed patterns. You could print the files through 3D printing house, and paint the cover that fits their own style. Learn More & Download 3D Files: https://www.palit.com/maker/
Conclusion
The Palit GeForce RTX 4080 GamingPRO OC is a highly-performing graphics card from the ADA Lovelace generation. It boasts a higher TGP (total graphics power) of 16 GB of graphics memory and a luxurious triple fan cooling system. This combination of features makes it one of the most powerful graphics cards available in the market, capable of delivering exceptional performance for even the most demanding gaming and professional applications. The 16 GB of graphics memory provides a significant boost in memory bandwidth and capacity to support high-resolution textures, large models, and other memory-intensive applications. The triple fan cooling system provides an efficient and quiet cooling solution, making it a great choice for those who value both performance and aesthetics. In terms of cost optimization, Palit has used a PCB design that is similar to the reference design and a cooler that incorporates plastic to reduce manufacturing costs. This strategy makes the card more affordable while still delivering good performance. In terms of aesthetics, the card's design is a matter of personal preference. Overall, the Palit GeForce RTX 4080 GamingPRO OC is a great option for anyone looking for a high-performance graphics card that can handle demanding tasks with ease. The card comes equipped with three DisplayPort and one HDMI for video output, and it starts at a price of $1199. If you have the budget and play games in Ultra HD or at least at a resolution of 2560x1440, it's a great addition to any enthusiast-class gaming rig. In comparison to the mighty RTX 4090, the RTX 4080 is a more economical product series offering massive performance. Pricing information for Palit's RTX 4080 Ti Gaming Pro OC has not yet been made available, but it is expected to sell for around a $50 premium over the NVIDIA suggested retail price of $1249. It will be interesting to see how GPU prices evolve over the next few months, as AMD's Radeon RX 7900 XT and XTX are interesting alternatives if you don't care about raytracing and DLSS. If our anticipated pricing of $1250 is correct, we highly recommend this product over more premium products that carry a $250 premium.
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