Help Choosing 4080 GPU - Advice Needed

[WarmEngine]

Alright, I've made up my mind to go 4080 but having a hard time narrowing the list down.  Is it really down to looks at this point and all perform equally or at a point that isn't noticeable?  I know Gigabyte has a 4 year warranty as opposed to the others at 3 years but the 2 cheaper ones have very mixed reviews while the others don't seem to have that fate on multiple sites.  The PNY seems to have the most positive with little to no negative.

 

PNY $1199: https://www.bestbuy.com/site/pny-nvidia-geforce-rtx4080-16gb-gddr6x-pci-express-4-0-graphics-card-with-triple-fan-and-dlss-3-black/6522940.p?skuId=6522940

 

Gigabyte Eagle $1199: https://www.bestbuy.com/site/gigabyte-nvidia-geforce-rtx-4080-eagle-16gb-gddr6x-pci-express-4-0-graphics-card-black/6525662.p?skuId=6525662
*Read a lot of complaints in the Newegg reviews about issues with all power connectors plugged into this one though causing it to not work so that's concerning*

PNY $1199: https://www.bestbuy.com/site/pny-nvidia-geforce-rtx-4080-16gb-gddr6x-pci-express-4-0-graphics-card-with-triple-fan-black/6528737.p?skuId=6528737

Other than a "-O" at the end of the model number it appears to be the same as the first one?  Maybe I'm missing something else though?

 

Gigabyte Eagle OC $1239: https://www.bestbuy.com/site/gigabyte-nvidia-geforce-rtx-4080-eagle-oc-16gb-gddr6x-pci-express-4-0-graphics-card-black/6525663.p?skuId=6525663
*Read a lot of complaints in the Newegg reviews about issues with all power connectors plugged into this one though causing it to not work so that's concerning*

 

MSI Ventus OC $1249: https://www.bestbuy.com/site/msi-nvidia-geforce-rtx-4080-16gb-ventus-3x-oc-16gb-ddr6x-pci-express-4-0-graphics-card/6524441.p?skuId=6524441

Gigabyte Gaming OC $1269: https://www.bestbuy.com/site/gigabyte-nvidia-geforce-rtx-4080-gaming-oc-16gb-gddr6x-pci-express-4-0-graphics-card-black/6524517.p?skuId=6524517

MSI Gaming X Trio $1294: https://www.bestbuy.com/site/gigabyte-nvidia-geforce-rtx-4080-gaming-oc-16gb-gddr6x-pci-express-4-0-graphics-card-black/6524517.p?skuId=6524517
 

Gigabyte Aero OC $1299: https://www.bestbuy.com/site/gigabyte-nvidia-geforce-rtx-4080-aero-oc-16gb-gddr6x-pci-express-4-0-graphics-card-white/6525660.p?skuId=6525660

[Eigenvektor]

3 minutes ago, WarmEngine said:

Is it really down to looks at this point and all perform equally or at a point that isn't noticeable?

There can be differences in cooling performance and noise levels. That's what reviews are for. Performance will typically be very close.

[WarmEngine]

3 minutes ago, Eigenvektor said:

There can be differences in cooling performance and noise levels. That's what reviews are for. Performance will typically be very close.

Every comparison video (and there aren't many surprisingly) puts them all very close within a few degrees.  Hence why I came here.  Hope that's OK.

[Eigenvektor]

1 minute ago, WarmEngine said:

Every comparison video (and there aren't many surprisingly) puts them all very close within a few degrees.  Hence why I came here.  Hope that's OK.

Of course it's OK If temps are very similar, I'd look at e.g. noise. If noise doesn't matter to you, go by price or e.g. length of warranty etc.

 

You can find comparisons mostly in non-video reviews. A good review site would be https://www.techpowerup.com/reviewdb/Graphics-Cards/NVIDIA/RTX-4080/

[RONOTHAN##]

17 minutes ago, WarmEngine said:

PNY $1199: https://www.bestbuy.com/site/gigabyte-nvidia-geforce-rtx-4080-aero-oc-16gb-gddr6x-pci-express-4-0-graphics-card-white/6525660.p?skuId=6525660

Think you got the wrong link for this one.

 

Anyway, going off photos of the PCBs for each of these cards, the Gigabyte Eagle looks to be the best bang for the buck wise there (granted, didn't find one of the Ventus card, but the Gaming X Trio was worse than the Eagle so I doubt the Ventus would be much better). Realistically all of these cards will be within margin of error for everything else, so might as well try to get the one with the most efficient VRM. Out of the cards listed, that would be the one I'd probably go for. That said, just picking the one you think looks the coolest is also a very valid option. 

[WarmEngine]

12 minutes ago, Eigenvektor said:

A good review site would be https://www.techpowerup.com/reviewdb/Graphics-Cards/NVIDIA/RTX-4080/

Thanks.  I saw that come up but wasn't sure how reliable it was.

 

5 minutes ago, RONOTHAN## said:

Think you got the wrong link for this one.

 

Anyway, going off photos of the PCBs for each of these cards, the Gigabyte Eagle looks to be the best bang for the buck wise there (granted, didn't find one of the Ventus card, but the Gaming X Trio was worse than the Eagle so I doubt the Ventus would be much better). Realistically all of these cards will be within margin of error for everything else, so might as well try to get the one with the most efficient VRM. Out of the cards listed, that would be the one I'd probably go for. That said, just picking the one you think looks the coolest is also a very valid option. 

Fixed that link to the first PNY one in the original post.  I'm very new to this level of PC building (especially choosing parts).  What are you looking at on the PCB's?  I'm assuming whatever it is has to do with either the materials used and/or quality that is able to be determined by looking at them?

[RONOTHAN##]

1 minute ago, WarmEngine said:

What are you looking at on the PCB's?  I'm assuming whatever it is has to do with either the materials used and/or quality that is able to be determined by looking at them?

The biggest thing I'm checking is phase count. Pretty much every 4080 uses the same exact power components, a UPI uP9512R controller and NCP302150 power stages, and with all else being equal more phases is more better. That breaks down when you start looking at things that have different components (the Zotac 1080 Ti AMP! Extreme, for instance, is a 16 phase but has a substantially worse VRM than the 1080 Ti K|NGP|N which has a 10 phase), and capacitor configuration plays a bit of a role in it as well (the MSI card does have higher end capacitors, though they have less of them), but for the most part with this type of thing just looking for more of the same components is better. 

 

If you want to see more into the weeds type of GPU breakdowns, check out some Actually Hardcore Overclocking's PCB breakdowns, he goes into details about what's good and what's bad for motherboard and GPU PCB design. That said, it's not something you really need to worry about too much, everything should last through the warranty period, it's just that if all else is equal (price, cooler capability, etc.) I'd want the one with the best designed PCB. 

[xg32]

the gigabyte gaming oc had the lowest memory temps out of all cards tested when the cards launched per HUB, that could have changed anytime of course.

[WarmEngine]

18 hours ago, xg32 said:

the gigabyte gaming oc had the lowest memory temps out of all cards tested when the cards launched per HUB, that could have changed anytime of course.

Would you say it's worth $70 over the PNY because of that?

 

19 hours ago, RONOTHAN## said:

The biggest thing I'm checking is phase count. Pretty much every 4080 uses the same exact power components, a UPI uP9512R controller and NCP302150 power stages, and with all else being equal more phases is more better. That breaks down when you start looking at things that have different components (the Zotac 1080 Ti AMP! Extreme, for instance, is a 16 phase but has a substantially worse VRM than the 1080 Ti K|NGP|N which has a 10 phase), and capacitor configuration plays a bit of a role in it as well (the MSI card does have higher end capacitors, though they have less of them), but for the most part with this type of thing just looking for more of the same components is better. 

 

If you want to see more into the weeds type of GPU breakdowns, check out some Actually Hardcore Overclocking's PCB breakdowns, he goes into details about what's good and what's bad for motherboard and GPU PCB design. That said, it's not something you really need to worry about too much, everything should last through the warranty period, it's just that if all else is equal (price, cooler capability, etc.) I'd want the one with the best designed PCB. 

Wow.  Thanks for all of the information.  I'm a noob when it comes to all of that but you've given me some things to read tonight to educate myself a bit more.  Thank you!

[xg32]

2 hours ago, WarmEngine said:

Would you say it's worth $70 over the PNY because of that?

 

Wow.  Thanks for all of the information.  I'm a noob when it comes to all of that but you've given me some things to read tonight to educate myself a bit more.  Thank you!

it's a tough call, more a case of just avoiding the models with 100+ C memory hotspots, performance wise they are all very close

[Slayerking92]

Whichever one that will fit in your case.

[WarmEngine]

@xg32

@RONOTHAN##

 

Random curveball.  Some 4090's just came into stock at Best Buy.

MSI Gaming X Trio $1649:  https://www.bestbuy.com/site/msi-nvidia-geforce-rtx-4090-gaming-x-trio-24g-24gb-ddr6x-pci-express-4-0-graphics-card/6528915.p?skuId=6528915

 

Gigabyte Gaming OC $1699:  https://www.bestbuy.com/site/gigabyte-nvidia-geforce-rtx-4090-gaming-oc-24gb-gddr6x-pci-express-4-0-graphics-card-black/6521518.p?skuId=6521518

 

PNY $1669 (May Be Sold Out Now):  https://www.bestbuy.com/site/pny-nvidia-geforce-rtx-4090-24gb-gddr6x-pci-express-4-0-graphics-card-with-triple-fan-black/6528738.p?skuId=6528738

 

Boost Clock Comparison:

PNY: 2565

Gigabye: 2535

MSI: 2520

 

Gigabyte has a 4 year warranty and the others have a 3 year warranty.

 

Any thoughts and/or opinions on these two? 

 

 

[RONOTHAN##]

12 minutes ago, WarmEngine said:

@xg32

@RONOTHAN##

 

Random curveball.  Two different 4090's just came into stock at Best Buy.

MSI Gaming X Trio $1649:  https://www.bestbuy.com/site/msi-nvidia-geforce-rtx-4090-gaming-x-trio-24g-24gb-ddr6x-pci-express-4-0-graphics-card/6528915.p?skuId=6528915

 

Gigabyte Gaming OC $1699:  https://www.bestbuy.com/site/gigabyte-nvidia-geforce-rtx-4090-gaming-oc-24gb-gddr6x-pci-express-4-0-graphics-card-black/6521518.p?skuId=6521518

 

Any thoughts and/or opinions on these two?

 

 

They're both fine. The Gigabyte card runs a little cooler and has a slightly better designed PCB, but both cards are fine so I wouldn't blame you for wanting to save $50. 

[WarmEngine]

5 minutes ago, RONOTHAN## said:

They're both fine. The Gigabyte card runs a little cooler and has a slightly better designed PCB, but both cards are fine so I wouldn't blame you for wanting to save $50. 

Extra year of warranty for that $50 too.  Never had to RMA a GPU but at $1700 the re-assurance is nice I suppose.
 

How do the manufactures rank as far as quality these days?  I know they all have issues with various cards (luck of the draw) but is one known for being really solid or no?  PNY is the one I can't find a lot of information on.

[RONOTHAN##]

Just now, WarmEngine said:

How do the manufactures rank as far as quality these days?  I know they all have issues with various cards (luck of the draw) but is one known for being really solid or no?

Changes every generation. ASUS is usually in the top two, especially with their Strix line, but even that's not a guarantee and realistically you should be shopping based off reviews for specific models, not by going for a specific brand. 

[Slizzo]

To be fair I have had multiple Gigabyte cards over the years, never had any issues. However, I will say, I have seen many many complaints of their warranty service if that is something that you are concerned about.