Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 3080 graphics card has taken the gaming world by storm with its impressive performance and cutting-edge features. However, with great power comes great responsibility, and understanding its power draw is crucial for optimal performance and longevity. In this detailed guide, we’ll dive deep into the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 power draw, answering important questions gathered from all over the internet and providing you with valuable insights based on our team testing and research.
Get To Know
Nvidia RTX 3080 GPU Specifications
First, let’s understand and get to know the NVIDIA RTX 3080. It boasts a robust set of specifications that enable it to handle even the most demanding games and applications:
  Best Choice | MSI Gaming GeForce RTX 3080 LHR 10GB GDRR6X 320-Bit HDMI/DP Nvlink Torx Fan 3 Ampere Architecture OC Graphics Card (RTX 3080 Ventus 3X 10G OC LHR) Specifications Architecture: Ampere Memory Speed: 19 Gbps |
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Nvidia RTX 3080 VS Predecessors G3D Mark Scores
| GPUs | Avg G3D Mark |
|---|---|
| GeForce RTX 3080 | 25,441 |
| GeForce RTX 3070 | 22,502 |
| GeForce RTX 3060 Ti | 20,632 |
| GeForce RTX 3060 | 17,210 |
| GeForce RTX 2060 | 14,100 |
| GeForce GTX 1070 | 13,517 |
| GeForce GTX 1060 | 10,071 |
| Radeon RX 580 | 8,915 |
| GeForce GTX 1650 | 7,851 |
| GeForce GTX 1050 Ti | 6,297 |
Average Video Card Test Suite Results of GeForce RTX 3080
Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080, is a highly sought-after graphics card renowned for its exceptional performance in the gaming realm. However, before you dive into your gaming adventures, it’s crucial to assess whether your power supply can handle the demands of this powerful GPU.
| Test | Frames/Sec |
|---|---|
| DirectX 9 | 254 FR |
| DirectX 10 | 184 FR |
| DirectX 11 | 207 FR |
| DirectX 12 | 100 FR |
| GPU Compute | 15529 Ops/Sec |
Now that you have an idea about the specifications and the potential of NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080, let’s explore the power draw of the RTX 3080, ensuring you have the necessary information to optimize your build and avoid any power-related issues.
How Many Watts Does an RTX 3080 Draw?
Under peak load, the RTX 3080 graphics card draws approximately 320 watts of power. However, during idle periods, the power draw significantly reduces to around 10 watts when connected to a single monitor, or 20 watts when multiple monitors are in use. If you’re watching videos, the power draws slightly increase to approximately 27 watts.
The real power draw occurs when you engage in gaming activities, where the average power draw ranges between 320 and 340 watts, depending on the intensity of the game and the settings employed.
It’s important to note that the maximum power rating isn’t indicative of the card’s continuous power draw. In certain situations, the components may experience momentary spikes, and anecdotal evidence suggests the RTX 3080 has been observed drawing up to 377 watts during such occurrences.
This highlights the importance of having an adequately powered and robust power supply that can handle these spikes effectively.
How Many Watts Does an RTX 3080 Draw Per Hour?
During gaming sessions, the RTX 3080 graphics card consumes approximately 320 to 340 watt-hours per hour, equivalent to 0.32 to 0.34 kilowatt-hours per hour.
For the average gamer, who spends around 8.5 hours per week playing games, this results in an approximate weekly power consumption of 2.5 kilowatt-hours solely from the graphics card. It’s essential to consider the overall power draw of your entire PC system when calculating the hourly energy usage.
Understanding the Difference Between the RTX 3080 and RTX 3080 Ti
The RTX 3080 Ti represents an upgraded version of the RTX 3080, boasting additional CUDA cores—10,240 compared to the 8,704 in the RTX 3080.
Consequently, the RTX 3080 Ti delivers significantly more power and performance, approaching the capabilities of the top-tier RTX 3090. In terms of gaming performance, upgrading to the RTX 3080 Ti may provide a roughly 10% increase in frame rates when playing at maximum settings.
However, it’s important to note that the RTX 3080 Ti draws more power than the RTX 3080.
| GPU | Idle (W) | Idle (Dual-Screen) | Video Streaming | Gaming | Max (W) | Highest (W) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RTX 3080 | 10 W | 20 W | 27 W | 320-340 W | 340 W | 377 W |
| RTX 3080 Ti | 16 W | 30 W | 28 W | 355-360 W | 360 W | 457 W |
Nvidia RTX 3080 VS Nvidia RTX 3080 Ti
Product | Best Choice   |   |
GPU | MSI Gaming GeForce RTX 3080 LHR 10GB GDRR6X | MSI GeForce RTX 3080 Ti 12GB GDRR6X |
GPU Arch | Ampere | Ampere |
CUDA Cores | 8704 | 10240 |
Boost Clock | Up to 1710 MHz | Up to 1665 MHz |
VRAM | 10 GB GDDR6X | 12 GB GDDR6X |
Memory Interface | 320-bit | 384-bit |
Memory Speed | 19 Gbps | 19 Gbps |
Memory Bandwidth | 760 GB/s | 912 GB/s |
Ray Tracing Cores | Yes | Yes |
Tensor Cores | Yes | Yes |
Display Outputs | 3 x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x HDMI 2.0b | 3 x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x HDMI 2.0b |
Max Resolution | 7680 x 4320 | 7680 x 4320 |
Recommended PSU | 750W | 750W |
Power Connectors | 2 x 8-pin | 2 x 8-pin |
More information |
Power Supply Requirements for an RTX 3080
To ensure your system can effectively support the power requirements of an RTX 3080, a minimum 750-watt power supply is recommended.
However, it’s advisable to opt for an 850-watt power supply to accommodate potential power spikes during demanding gaming sessions.
When purchasing a power supply in this wattage range, it’s crucial to prioritize efficiency by selecting at least an 80+ Gold certified unit. This guarantees optimal power usage and reduces wastage.
Best 750 WATT Power Supply for RTX 3080
  Best Choice | Corsair RMX Series, RM750x, 750 Watt, 80+ Gold Certified, Fully Modular Power Supply Specifications Model Name: RMx |
Best 850 WATT Power Supply for RTX 3080
  Best Choice | EVGA 220-G5-0850-X1 Super Nova 850 G5, 80 Plus Gold 850W Specifications Model Name: SuperNOVA G5 |
Determining the Required RTX 3080 Power Cables
The RTX 3080 graphics card requires 8-pin PCIe power cables connected directly from the power supply. Depending on the specific model, two or three cables may be necessary. It’s essential to ensure that all ports on the RTX 3080 are adequately supplied with power for the card to function correctly. When purchasing an RTX 3080, consider the number of PCIe cables your power supply can support, and be prepared to upgrade or remove any other PCI cards if necessary. Matching custom-colored cables are also available for those seeking aesthetic coherence.
Our Expert Recommendations
Based on our team’s research and findings, understanding the power draw of the RTX 3080 is essential for optimizing your gaming experience and ensuring your system can handle the demands of this high-performance graphics card.
By investing in an appropriately sized power supply, adhering to efficiency ratings, and connecting the necessary power cables, you can fully unleash the potential of the RTX 3080 while maintaining system stability.
Be mindful of your overall power draw, consider the power needs of other components in your build, and enjoy the immersive gaming experience facilitated by the RTX 3080’s remarkable performance capabilities.
FAQs
Q: Is a 650-watt PSU sufficient for an RTX 3080?
A: A 650-watt power supply may technically run an RTX 3080, but it’s not recommended. Most graphics card manufacturers recommend a minimum 750-watt PSU for the RTX 3080, with some suggesting an 850-watt PSU.
Q: Can an RTX 3080 be used for crypto mining?
A: Yes, an RTX 3080 can be utilized for crypto mining, specifically for mining Ethereum.
Q: Can an RTX 3080 run games at 4K with 144fps?
A: Achieving a consistent 4K resolution with frame rates close to 144fps on an RTX 3080 depends on the specific game. While some games may achieve this level of performance, most will typically deliver frame rates closer to 70fps, even with the powerful hardware provided by the RTX 3080.
Q: How many monitors can the RTX 3080 support?
A: The RTX 3080 can support up to four monitors simultaneously, utilizing a combination of HDMI and DisplayPort connections.
