ASUS has launched the ROG Strix and TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 3080 12GB graphics cards, which boast two gigabytes of additional video memory above the previous generation.
The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30 graphics cards from ROG and TUF Gaming are already some of the most sought-after PC DIY components on the market, and these new cards set new standards with added VRAM. For the best 4K gaming experience today - and future proof as gaming's VRAM requirements tend to rise - these are the best GeForce RTX 3080 cards for any system.
The latest developments and innovations in air cooling set the ROG Strix GeForce RTX 3080 12GB apart from the competition. Like the previous model, this graphics card has a massive 2.9-slot heat sink, which is encased in an angular cover with an RGB-LED array on the left edge that can be addressed over the entire length. An opening on the sturdy, full-length metal backplate helps direct heat into the case's natural airflow.
Three Axial-Tech fans, which are arranged in a counter-rotating design, ensure a constant flow of air through the large-area lamellar block. With their higher number of blades, these fans offer both higher static pressure and higher airflow while being whisper-quiet. The outer fans use notched lock rings to prevent turbulence, and the central fan has a solid lock ring to allow direct airflow to the hottest parts of the heat sink. The fans switch to 0 dB mode for inconspicuous everyday use when idling or with low load. Thanks to the FanConnect II headers, the case fans can deliver a cool airflow precisely when it is needed.
The NVIDIA Ampere architecture offers massive performance improvements from generation to generation, in part due to increased power consumption. The redesigned ROG Strix heat sink and PCB enable the card to support this improved performance with a large amount of raw electrical power. In order to maximize overclocking possibilities and system stability, three eight-pin PCI-Express power connections draw power directly from the power supply to reduce the load on the mainboard, and a high-resolution circuit for detecting voltage spikes monitors the power supply for dips that could impair system stability.
The new TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 3080 12GB is more suitable for those who are looking for an inconspicuous yet powerful graphics card for their next DIY PC. The blackened cooling cover made of brushed aluminum on this potent card gives it a confident, simple style that can be easily combined with a variety of components - especially with the products of the TUF Gaming Alliance.
This cover houses a trio of Axial-Tech fans and sits on top of a massive 2.7-slot heat sink. As with the fans on the ROG Strix card, these fans can shut down to a 0dB mode when idle for quiet operation. A recess in the continuous aluminum backplate ensures that the heat flows into the natural airflow of the housing. For a touch of style, there's an Aura RGB LED accent on the card that can be synced with other Aura Sync devices.
Like the original TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 3080 card, the new variant with larger internal and external memory is designed for reliable performance. The Auto-Extreme assembly technology, which is used in both TUF Gaming and ROG Strix cards, precisely places and brazes the components to increase reliability and manufacturing quality - all without human intervention. In addition, the long-lasting, particularly robust capacitors in the subsystem for the power supply can withstand even the toughest conditions, and a 144-hour test process in the factory ensures that every card is immediately ready for use.
These graphics cards, the ROG Strix GeForce RTX 3080 12GB OC and the TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 3080 12GB OC, are now available for purchase at recommended retail prices of 1,639 and 1,519 euros, respectively.
