NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080, built on the 16 nm Pascal architecture with the GP104 chip, sits at the 57th percentile of all GPUs in the database, holding an average benchmark score of 15,531. This places it in a curious middle ground: it is neither a top-tier enthusiast part nor a mainstream compromise, but rather a card whose performance profile is defined by narrow margins against a diverse set of competitors. The data reveals a GPU that is exceptionally well-rounded, with its nearest rivals separated by less than two percent in either direction, making it a fascinating study in benchmark positioning. Below is a detailed breakdown of how it stacks up, who should consider it, and what its power requirements mean for a system build.

How It Compares

The closest rival in terms of average score is the AMD Radeon R9 M380, which trails the GTX 1080 by a mere 0.2%. This delta is effectively negligible, indicating that in aggregate compute and graphics workloads, the two cards are statistically indistinguishable. However, the GTX 1080’s advantage lies in its modern feature set, including DirectX 12 (12_1) support and a 16 nm process node, whereas the R9 M380 relies on older architecture. Benchmark results indicate that while the raw scores are nearly identical, the GTX 1080 offers a more future-proof foundation for software that leverages newer APIs.

Against the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 690, the GTX 1080 comes out ahead by 1.3%. The GTX 690, a dual-GPU card from a previous generation, posts an average score of 15,730, which is higher than the GTX 1080’s 15,531 on paper. Yet the deltaPct of -1.3% for the GTX 1080 means the newer card actually scores lower in this aggregate metric. This is a classic case of multi-GPU scaling inflating the older card’s synthetic scores, but the GTX 1080’s single-GPU design avoids the frame pacing and driver overhead issues that plague dual-GPU setups. In real-world gaming, the data suggests the GTX 1080 provides more consistent performance, even if the raw average is slightly lower.

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 Ti is the only rival that the GTX 1080 clearly outperforms, with a deltaPct of 1.5%. The GTX 660 Ti’s average score of 15,303 is 228 points lower, a modest but definitive gap. This comparison highlights generational progress: despite the GTX 660 Ti being a capable card in its own right, the GTX 1080’s 2560 shading units and 8 GB of GDDR5X memory provide a substantial advantage in memory bandwidth (320.3 GB/s) and raw compute throughput (8.873 TFLOPS). The GTX 1080 is simply a more robust platform for modern workloads.

Finally, the AMD Radeon Pro W5500 posts the highest average score among the rivals at 15,786, giving it a 1.6% lead over the GTX 1080. This workstation-oriented card edges out the GTX 1080 in aggregate benchmarks, likely due to optimized drivers for professional applications. However, the GTX 1080 counters with a higher boost clock of 1733 MHz and a wider memory bus (256 bit), which makes it competitive in gaming scenarios where the Pro W5500’s professional optimizations are less relevant. The delta is small enough that the choice between these two hinges on use case rather than raw capability.

Who Should Consider It

The GTX 1080’s benchmark scores suggest it is a versatile card suited for high-refresh-rate 1080p gaming and solid 1440p performance. Its PassMark G3D score of 15,586 and 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 1,560 indicate that it can handle demanding titles at high settings without compromise. For gamers targeting 1080p with 144 Hz monitors, the GTX 1080 provides ample headroom, delivering frame rates that can fully utilize such displays in most esports and AAA titles. The 8 GB GDDR5X memory ensures that texture-heavy games at this resolution do not run into VRAM limitations.

At 1440p, the GTX 1080 remains a strong contender, though the data suggests it is at the edge of its comfort zone for ultra settings in the most demanding releases. The texture rate of 277.3 GTexel/s and pixel rate of 110.9 GPixel/s are sufficient to maintain playable frame rates, but users may need to dial back anti-aliasing or shadow quality in the latest titles. The card’s 57th percentile ranking relative to all GPUs reinforces this positioning: it is better than most, but not at the summit of performance. For 4K gaming, the GTX 1080 is not recommended, as the FP32 throughput of 8.873 TFLOPS is insufficient to drive 4K at high settings in modern games without significant compromises.

For compute-oriented users, the GTX 1080 delivers a PassMark GPU Compute score of 7,614 and a Geekbench OpenCL score of 55,724, making it suitable for light rendering, video encoding, and machine learning inference tasks. The Vulkan score of 65,164 is particularly strong, indicating good performance in Vulkan-based applications. However, users needing substantial FP16 performance should note the 138.6 GFLOPS (1:64) figure, which is severely limited compared to FP32, making the card unsuitable for workloads that rely heavily on half-precision math.

Power and Cooling

The GTX 1080 carries a TDP of 180 W, a figure that reflects its efficient 16 nm Pascal architecture. For a card of its performance class, this is a moderate power draw, allowing it to be paired with a suggested PSU of 450 W. The power delivery is handled by a single 8-pin connector, which is a straightforward requirement for most modern power supplies. The dual-slot cooling solution is adequate for this TDP, with the card’s dimensions of 267 mm in length, 112 mm in height, and 40 mm in width (10.5 x 4.4 x 1.6 inches) ensuring compatibility with most mid-tower cases.

The 180 W TDP means that the GTX 1080 does not demand an overly robust cooling solution, but users should ensure adequate case airflow to prevent thermal throttling under sustained load. The boost clock of 1733 MHz is reliant on thermal headroom, and in poorly ventilated cases, the card may not sustain its maximum boost frequency. The memory clock of 1251 MHz (10 Gbps effective) also generates heat, though the GDDR5X modules are well-integrated into the overall thermal design. For most users, a quality 450 W PSU from a reputable brand is sufficient, though those with power-hungry CPUs may want additional headroom, even if the suggested PSU rating is 450 W.

FAQ

Q: What is the launch MSRP of the GTX 1080?

A: The launch MSRP is 599 USD.

Q: Does the GTX 1080 support DirectX 12?

A: Yes, it supports DirectX 12 with a feature level of 12_1, alongside OpenGL 4.6 and Vulkan 1.4.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth of the GTX 1080?

A: The card has a memory bandwidth of 320.3 GB/s, achieved through 8 GB of GDDR5X memory on a 256-bit bus.

Q: How does the GTX 1080 compare to the GTX 690 in synthetic benchmarks?

A: The GTX 690 has a higher average score of 15,730, which is 1.3% above the GTX 1080’s 15,531. However, the GTX 1080’s single-GPU design offers more consistent performance in games.

Q: What is the TDP and recommended PSU for the GTX 1080?

A: The TDP is 180 W, and the suggested PSU rating is 450 W. Power is supplied via a single 8-pin connector.

Q: Is the GTX 1080 suitable for 4K gaming?

A: No, the data indicates that its performance, including an FP32 throughput of 8.873 TFLOPS and a PassMark G3D score of 15,586, is better suited for 1080p and 1440p gaming rather than 4K.

Benchmark Performance

The GTX 1080’s benchmark suite reveals a card that performs admirably across a range of tests, with a few notable strengths and weaknesses. In Geekbench Vulkan, it scores 65,164, which is its highest benchmark result, indicating strong performance in Vulkan-based games and compute workloads. The Geekbench OpenCL score of 55,724 is also respectable, showcasing its utility in general-purpose GPU computing. The Geekbench Metal score of 23,824 is lower, reflecting the fact that Metal is primarily an Apple API and not a target for Windows-based GeForce cards.

In PassMark tests, the GTX 1080 shows a clear hierarchy: DirectX 9 scores 211, DirectX 11 scores 124, and DirectX 12 scores 55. This pattern suggests that the card is well-optimized for legacy APIs but struggles with the overhead of DirectX 12, likely due to driver maturity or architectural limitations. The DirectX 10 score of 93 is similarly modest. The PassMark G3D score of 15,586 is the most representative of overall gaming performance, and it aligns closely with the card’s average benchmark score of 15,531.

The 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 1,560 is a more modern benchmark, and it positions the GTX 1080 as a mid-range performer in the current landscape. The PassMark G2D score of 888 indicates solid 2D performance, which is less relevant for gaming but useful for desktop productivity. The pixel rate of 110.9 GPixel/s and texture rate of 277.3 GTexel/s are consistent with the card’s 64 ROPs and 160 TMUs, providing a balanced throughput for rasterization. Compared to its nearest rivals, the GTX 1080’s deltas are tight: it is 0.2% faster than the R9 M380, 1.5% faster than the GTX 660 Ti, but 1.3% slower than the GTX 690 and 1.6% slower than the Radeon Pro W5500. These narrow margins underscore that the GTX 1080 is a card defined by consistency rather than extremes, offering dependable performance that sits squarely in the upper-middle tier of the GPU hierarchy.