Quick answer
The RTX 4080 is a A-tier graphics card in our GPU tier list (gaming score 80, RTX 4090 = 100), built for 4K gaming. With a fast CPU it averages about 200 FPS at 1080p, 136 FPS at 1440p and 84 FPS at 4K in a typical AAA game at high settings. 16GB of VRAM is enough for ultra textures at 1080p, 1440p and 4K. Its maker recommends a 750W power supply.
RTX 4080 Specs
| Spec | RTX 4080 |
|---|---|
| Maker | NVIDIA |
| Architecture | Ada Lovelace |
| VRAM | 16GB GDDR6X |
| Memory bus | 256-bit |
| Boost clock | 2505 MHz |
| CUDA Cores | 9,728 |
| Board power | 320W |
| Maker’s recommended PSU | 750W |
| Upscaling / frame generation | DLSS 4 upscaling and DLSS 3 Frame Generation (2x) |
| Released | 2022 |
| ComputingSkill gaming score | 80 (A tier) |
Specs: RTX 4080 official page. Scores are ComputingSkill’s gaming index, positioned from publicly reported review averages, not our own benchmarks (methodology).
RTX 4080 Gaming Performance (Estimated FPS)
Average FPS from the FPS Calculator’s formula for a typical AAA game, paired with the Ryzen 7 9800X3D so the card is the limit wherever it can be. Figures marked * are held back by the CPU instead. Ray tracing, upscaling and frame generation are not included; they are estimates, not benchmarks.
| Settings | 1080p | 1440p | 4K |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low | 202* | 202* | 143 |
| Medium | 202* | 177 | 109 |
| High | 200 | 136 | 84 |
| Ultra | 160 | 109 | 67 |
| Esports titles, high | 565* | 408 | 252 |
In the GPU tier list the RTX 4080 sits in A tier: 4K gaming at high settings. In games that support it, DLSS 4 upscaling and DLSS 3 Frame Generation (2x) can raise these frame rates, at some cost in image quality or input latency. How upscaling and frame generation work.
Is 16GB of VRAM Enough on the RTX 4080?
16GB of VRAM is enough for ultra textures at 1080p, 1440p and 4K. The rule is the GPU VRAM Calculator’s minimum for each resolution and texture level (1080p: 6GB at high, 8GB at ultra; 1440p: 8GB / 10GB; 4K: 12GB / 14GB). Short on VRAM, a game stutters or swaps textures rather than simply losing frames.
Best CPU for the RTX 4080
At 1080p, the Core i9-14900K is the most modest current CPU that runs the RTX 4080 without a noticeable CPU bottleneck (under 15% in our engine, typical AAA game at high settings). At 1440p the card does more of the work, so the Ryzen 7 5700X is already enough. A faster CPU still helps in esports and CPU-heavy games, where the CPU sets the frame rate far more often.
| CPU | 1080p | 1440p | 4K | Pair page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core i3-12100F | CPU ~49% | CPU ~25% | GPU-limited | — |
| Ryzen 5 5600 | CPU ~45% | CPU ~19% | GPU-limited | — |
| Core i5-12400F | CPU ~42% | CPU ~14% | GPU-limited | — |
| Ryzen 5 7600 | CPU ~29% | Balanced | GPU-limited | — |
| Ryzen 7 5800X3D | CPU ~26% | GPU-limited | GPU-limited | Full pairing |
| Core i5-14600K | CPU ~24% | GPU-limited | GPU-limited | — |
| Ryzen 7 7700X | CPU ~22% | GPU-limited | GPU-limited | Full pairing |
| Core i7-13700K | CPU ~20% | GPU-limited | GPU-limited | Full pairing |
| Ryzen 7 7800X3D | CPU ~8% | GPU-limited | GPU-limited | — |
| Ryzen 7 9800X3D | Balanced | GPU-limited | GPU-limited | — |
“GPU-limited” is normal and means the card is the part working hardest. A CPU % is how much of the card goes unused. Check any other pair in the PC Bottleneck Calculator.
What PSU Does the RTX 4080 Need?
The RTX 4080’s maker recommends a 750W power supply, and the card itself draws up to about 320W. With a Core i9-14900K, the PSU Calculator estimates a full-load draw of about 654W for the whole PC and recommends a 900W unit (30% headroom, rounded up). A power-hungry CPU such as a Core i9 needs more, so check your exact parts.
Similar Graphics Cards
| Graphics card | Score | VRAM | FPS 1440p high | Board power | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RTX 5080 | 88 | 16GB | 150 | 360W | 2025 |
| RX 7900 XTX | 85 | 24GB | 145 | 355W | 2022 |
| RTX 4080 | 80 | 16GB | 136 | 320W | 2022 |
| RTX 5070 Ti | 79 | 16GB | 134 | 300W | 2025 |
| RX 9070 XT | 78 | 16GB | 133 | 304W | 2025 |
Head-to-head comparisons: RTX 4080 vs RTX 5080.
Try the RTX 4080 with your own CPU, resolution and settings in the FPS Calculator, or see which games it runs in Can I Run It.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the RTX 4080 good for 1440p gaming?
Yes. Its gaming score of 80 clears the 1440p line (50) our PC Upgrade Calculator uses, and it averages about 136 FPS at 1440p high in a typical AAA game with a fast CPU.
What CPU should I pair with the RTX 4080?
For 1080p, at least a Core i9-14900K to avoid a noticeable CPU bottleneck; at 1440p, a Ryzen 7 5700X is enough. Faster CPUs help in esports and strategy games.
What power supply does the RTX 4080 need?
Its maker recommends 750W. With a Core i9-14900K our PSU Calculator suggests 900W for the whole PC.
Is 16GB of VRAM enough on the RTX 4080?
16GB of VRAM is enough for ultra textures at 1080p, 1440p and 4K.