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Back when Nvidia was about to release the RTX 4080, it announced that this GPU would come in two different versions, a 16GB and a 12GB model. The public disliked the announcement so much that Nvidia had to entirely backpedal on the idea and eventually un-launched the 4080 12GB to later call it (with some necessary tweaks) the RTX 4070 Ti.
In this post, we will compare how much of an improvement the 4080 proves to have over the 4070 Ti. We will look at specs, behavior, price, and performance, so you can make a better-informed decision on which card to purchase.
Before we start with the comparison, we must advise that these are different GPUs. Nvidia lowered the original 4080 12GB features to be able to call it 4070 Ti and not leave too many specs on the table. So, we have a flagship GPU aimed more at professional use and the first gaming sweet spot under Nvidia’s 40 series lineup.
RTX 4070 Ti vs RTX 4080: Specs
To begin this comparison we want to address the importance of memory size in content creation, gaming, and professional scenarios. This is especially important for gaming and other graphics-intensive applications, where the GPU needs to store large textures, 3D models, and other data in order to render images on the screen.
The fact the RTX 4080 has 16GB of VRAM and the 4070 Ti has only 12GB marks a big difference in the amount of data both GPUs can process.
In gaming scenarios, the 4080 will be capable to run games at higher resolutions and with more complex settings, such as ray tracing, without running out of memory. While in the content creation field, the 4080 will be capable of working on more complex projects with that memory.
| RTX 4070 Ti | RTX 4080 | |
| Memory size | 12GB GDDR6X | 16GB GDDR6X |
| Memory bus | 192 bit | 256 bit |
| Bandwidth | 504.2 GB/s | 716.8 GB/s |
| Base Clock speed | 2310 MHz | 2205 MHz |
| Boost clock speed | 2610 MHz | 2505 MHz |
| Higher floating-point performance | 40.09 TFLOPS | 48.74 TFLOPS |
| RT Cores | 60 | 76 |
| TDP | 285 W | 320 W |
| MSRP | 799 USD | 1,199 USD |
The difference doesn´t end there. The RTX 4080 has also a larger memory bus, meaning it can transfer more data between the memory of the GPU. The 4080 has a memory bus of 256 bits while the 4070 Ti’s bus width is 192 bits. This allows both units to reach bandwidths of 716.8 GB/s and 504.2 GB/s respectively. The 4080 has a 30% faster bandwidth than the 4070 Ti.
The difference in these specs, within the same series and architecture, marks a huge difference in performance and overall results, as we will see in a moment. The last aspect to talk about is the total cost of power these cards will output.
In this case, the RTX 4070 Ti is a more power-efficient GPU with a TDP of 285W, while the 3080 has a power consumption of 320W. This means the RTX 4080 requires a larger PSU for the full rig.
RTX 4070 Ti vs RTX 4080: Price
Comparing the price of Nvidia GPUs should always start with a question mark. Team Green tends to overprice its GPUs. However, it has the power to do so because it offers, at the moment, the strongest and fasted graphics cards on the market.
The 4080 was launched with an MSRP of $1,199, $500 less than the flagship 4090, while the 4070 Ti was dropped under an MSRP of $799. The price of both GPUs has swollen since they dropped, as normal, but even then we would’ve loved to see a lower cost on these units.
Nonetheless, we can’t let slide the fact that these are incredibly efficient and powerful units. Even the 4070 Ti, which is a mid-range GPU, delivers the best performance than the 30-series flagship, something that had never happened before in that price range.
RTX 4070 Ti vs RTX 4080: Performance
The varied memory size and speed on these two cards mark the difference in performance. The RTX 4080 is capable of moving bigger sets of data thanks to the larger memory size and bus, and it can do it much faster too.
For gaming environments, this will translate into a more smooth experience in 4K resolutions. On the other side, in productivity work, you’ll be able to perform more demanding tasks in less time; rendering would be less of an issue with the RTX 4080.
In multiple benchmarks, the RTX 4080 has shown an incredible advantage over the 4070 Ti in 4K gaming. We could see up to a 30% FPS delivery with the former. In this case, the 3rd-gen ray tracing and DLSS play a big role in increasing the FPS, but the 4070 Ti just doesn’t have enough power to reach the 4080 performance. In 1440p, we might see a lees deep inclination to the 4080, though. At this resolution, we start to see how the PU bottlenecks and decreases performance. So, the 4070 Ti reduces the gap – but it still can’t beat it.
Final thoughts
In conclusion, the RTX 4080 is a more powerful GPU than the RTX 4070 Ti. It has more CUDA cores, higher floating-point performance, and a wider memory bus. Additionally, it also has a higher memory size, which can be useful for gaming at higher resolutions or running more demanding applications. However, it also has a higher TDP (320W) than the RTX 4070 Ti (285W), which means it may require more power to run and may generate more heat.
It’s important to keep in mind that these specifications are not the only factor that determines the performance, as other factors such as the settings and resolution used in the game, as well as the performance of the rest of the system, can also affect the overall performance of the card.
Ultimately, the RTX 4080 is a more powerful GPU that will provide better performance in games and other demanding applications, but it comes with a higher price tag and higher power requirements. If you are looking for a more cost-effective option and have a lower power supply, the RTX 4070 Ti may be a better choice. However, if you are a gamer looking for the best possible performance and willing to invest in a higher-end GPU, the RTX 4080 is the way to go.
