Premium segment graphics cards always attract attention. And the new ASUS ROG STRIX GeForce RTX 3080 is no exception. After all, this is not just another gaming card from an expensive segment. It is a unique creation by Taiwanese craftsmen who delight customers year after year with technologically advanced devices.
Why ASUS ROG STRIX GeForce RTX 3080?
ASUS is a brand. If something is going wrong in the smartphone and tablet market for the company, then in the world of computer technology, the Taiwanese brand has no competitors. So far, no other manufacturer has managed to surpass ASUS in innovations in PC component manufacturing and hardware efficiency.
Although ASUS products are priced higher, this small difference will pay off in the long run. An efficient cooling system prevents chips from burning out during overclocking. Software can always provide accurate readings and tune the adapter for the system. Every detail is carefully thought out, and all components are in their places.
And notice, ASUS products are chosen by eSports athletes not for their appearance. Any PC component is a well-thought-out and efficient system aimed at long-term and high-performance use. ASUS stands for quality. It is perfection in everything. Even on the secondary market, ASUS graphics cards and other boards are more likely to find a new owner.
ASUS ROG STRIX GeForce RTX 3080: Specifications
| GPU | GeForce RTX 3080 (GA102) 8 nm |
| Installation interface | PCI Express x16 4.0 (and lower) |
| GPU operating frequency, MHz | OC Mode: 1440—1815(Boost)—1980(Max)
Gaming Mode: 1440—1785(Boost)—1965(Max) |
| Memory frequency: physical, effective (MHz) | 4750, 19000 |
| Bus width | 320 bits |
| Number of GPU compute blocks | 68 |
| Number of operations per block | 128 |
| Total number of ALU/CUDA blocks | 8704 |
| Number of blocks | Texturing (BLF/TLF/ANIS): 272
Rasterization (ROP): 96 Ray Tracing: 68 Tensor: 272 |
| Physical dimensions of the graphics card | 300×130×52 mm |
| Number of slots required in the block for the card | 3 |
| Power consumption of the graphics card | Peak in 3D: 360 W
In 2D mode: 35 W Sleep mode: 11 W |
| Video outputs | 2×HDMI 2.1, 3×DisplayPort 1.4a |
| Maximum number of signal receivers (monitors, TVs) operating simultaneously |
4 |
ASUS ROG STRIX GeForce RTX 3080: Review
The first thing that catches the eye when first encountering the graphics card is the cooling system. As is typical for all STRIX series graphics cards, it has 3 fans. There is one innovation that ASUS detailed on its official website, which many sellers did not notice.
The fan blades have increased in length from 88 to 95 millimeters. The two outer fans have 11 blades each and rotate counterclockwise. The middle fan has 13 blades and rotates clockwise. This system is designed to reduce turbulence in the cooling system. Now, at maximum speeds, the graphics card does not vibrate or whine like an airplane during takeoff. The airflow power is enough even to cool a noticeably overclocked chip.
Another interesting innovation will delight owners performing upgrades of outdated systems. The graphics card can be connected to three 8-pin power connectors, or just 1 or 2, depending on how the card will be used. Some may process video, not play. Power connectors have LED indicators. If the power is insufficient, the owner will see a red indicator burning. Generally, if three connectors are provided, connect three corresponding cables from the power supply. If cables are missing, buy a new PSU.
Overall Impressions of ASUS ROG STRIX GeForce RTX 3080
The gaming graphics card was purchased for games on monitor Asus TUF Gaming VG27AQ. Naturally, the first thing was to determine performance at 2K resolution (2560×1440) with a 165Hz refresh rate. Also, to check ray tracing (RT) and DLSS functionality. By the way: DLSS is an anti-aliasing algorithm that can instantly increase the resolution of any image that does not meet the nominal parameters.
The impression of ASUS ROG STRIX GeForce RTX 3080 is mixed. Achieving the desired 165Hz in games proved very difficult. Of course, this applies to demanding games. To fully utilize the monitor’s capabilities, 2-3 RTX 3080 graphics cards need to be installed. By the way, greetings to all owners of Samsung Odyssey G7 trying to get 240Hz on an old GTX 1070 or GTX 1080ti. The maximum is 120Hz, and even that is not guaranteed.
We managed to squeeze out the coveted 165Hz at 2K resolution from ASUS ROG STRIX GeForce RTX 3080 only in the game Death Stranding. It’s truly breathtaking. A gorgeous picture, with no frame drops even in fast motion. There is information that we will see 165Hz in Battlefield V and DOOM Eternal, but they are not in our list of favorite games.
In other games, such as Assassin’s Creed, GTA V, The Witcher III, and Gears 5, we could only play in Full HD at a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz. The most unpleasant moment happened with our favorite game Metro: Exodus. The graphics card could not deliver more than 100Hz at maximum quality.
Should You Buy ASUS ROG STRIX GeForce RTX 3080?
In terms of price-quality ratio and performance-operability, the ASUS ROG STRIX GeForce RTX 3080 can confidently be considered the leader. It is truly a quiet, fast, and cool card. The manufacturer has taken care of every detail, creating a cool and efficient cooling system. The hardware and software parts of the card work exceptionally well. And rest assured, even after the 36-month manufacturer warranty expires, the graphics card will serve for a couple more warranty periods.
If you have extra money, you can consider a more powerful chip like RTX 3090. However, given the shortage of cards due to Bitcoin mining, it’s uncertain whether you will be able to quickly get the top graphics card after prepayment. The competitors offer a decent solution with AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT. But due to the absence of RT and DLSS technology, after acquaintance, AMD products are not very interesting to look at.
