[GPU_TALK!] 1080 TI; 5 year old legend still stands~~~ | Razer Insider
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We all want that excellent / high performing battlestation; although RTX 3080 TI is now released, the shortage of GPUs still goes on, thanks to scalpers who continue to purchase from Best Buy and Micro Centers and resell them at such ridiculous prices in Ebay.



In North America continent, nvidia RTX 3080 TI FE retail price is $1199.99 USD. Don't support the scalpers. They are the enemies to all gamers that seek GPU marketing justice.




If you are thinking of an alternative solution, GTX 1080 TI could be an answer and for many years to come.



GTX 1080 TI may lack the following features~~



  • Ray tracing (check out what games support Ray tracing)



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_games_with_ray_tracing_support



  • Deep Learning Super Sampling (check out what games support DLSS)



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_games_with_DLSS_support



  • Benchmark comparison to some of nvidia and radeon series



But the card still has the potential to play all the latest games and for many years to come. So if you are going to use the GPU for gaming, medium level video editing and rendering application etc, I would suggest the following configuration~~



  • Set your display resolution to 2K (this gives you flexibility in setting higher refresh rate. 4K to 8K can only do less than 60 Hz)

  • Open NVIDIA control panel and set the following configuration to optimize your GPU performance



Additionally, if you are purchasing a second hand GTX 1080 TI, learn how to breakdown the GPU and action the following~~~



  • Thoroughly remove the dust using air duster and paint brush

  • Use Isopropyl alcohol and tissue to remove any tough dirt, dust, old thermal paste etc

  • Renew the thermal paste and pad

  • Try not to lose the screws



4 year old legend still stands firm~~
I performed a benchmark test using Unigine Heaven Benchmark 4.0, with the following testing configuration~~







Received the following benchmark score








I compared my result to all others around the world, by visiting the following site~~~

https://benchmark.unigine.com/leaderboards/superposition/1.x/1080p-extreme/single-gpu/page-1



As of June 10th 2021, my benchmark score may not be the number 1 in the world, but comparing to all NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 TI FE under 1080p and ULTRA testing config~~~



With top temperature of 73 to 74 degrees Celsius, the legend still stands firm.
Let us talk about the features that GTX 1080 Ti does not come with, compared to some of the 2000 and 3000 series.



Ray tracing~

So, (simply) ray tracing is a rendering technique that simulates high degree of realistic imagery. Unfortunately, this is something GTX 1080 TI cannot support.



DLSS~

Also something GTX 1080 TI cannot support, but compared to Anti-aliasing, DLSS uses AI learning to generate certain pixels and frames more accurately.



Let us have a talk on DLSS vs Anti-Aliasing~

They have a similar role on "smoothing the surface" of an image. Of course DLSS does a better job, but does it matter when you are gaming?



Do you focus on every little dots of digital pixilation, or enjoy your avatar running crazy?

Do you have a very sensitive eye sight that picks up every poor pixelated image in front of you?



Let us discuss movie on 3 type of compact disks (DVD, BluRay & 4K UHD)~

The only difference is its image definition, some may come with bonus features. You are paying a little extra $$$ for that extra high degree realistic imagery. You cannot change the outcome of the storyline.



Back to gaming; in the end, the story of your avatar and the purpose of the gaming does not change.



By setting the GPU and monitor with the following configuration~~~



  • Display refresh rate greater then 150 Hz

  • G-Sync enabled

  • Graphic settings to HIGH or ULTRA

  • Max Anti-Aliasing



This will still deliver Good to Great level of image definition of the games you play.



Also, some of RTX 2000 and 3000 series use more electricity. Don't forget about who is paying the electricity bill.



Of course, if you can afford the best of the best, and those that enjoy OCing for the peak performance, rock on!

[left]GTX 1080 Ti still stands firm for those that still have not got their hands on a GPU.[/left]



Scalpers!!! don't you dare kill it
I have been using my NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 TI Founders Edition for a little over a month. I would like to talk about its goods and bads.



I will only go over the card itself, not compare it to its successors and predecessors. Some of the discussion will compare the GPU to its counterparts from ASUS, GIGABYTE (non FE).



BADS



Tiny screws

The card has a back plate which is locked in with 14 tiny size Cross head screws. The screw have 2 bad points



  • Screw head is fragile (the screw head can snap off if you apply too much torque/force)

  • Easy to lose it (it is tiny that I almost lost it)



Variety of screw heads

The GPU chassis of inside and outside is locked in together with 4 different screw head and size



  • 2 cross heads

  • 2 hex socket heads



I want 1 screw driver to handle all. You also have to make sure you use the correct screw driver heads, otherwise you can damage the screw head.



Lacking RGB feature

The card only comes with one lighting feature with the label "GEFORCE GTX" of NVIDIA green lighting.



Bad of Blow-in design (fan is too noisy)

I compared the fan noise with my GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 TI Gaming OC. At 87% fan speed, the GPUs fan rotate at the following rate~~~



  • GIGABYTE: 2190 RPM

  • NVIDIA FE: 4190 RPM



Due to its high speed, it is so much noisier.



Only 2 display port type

The card comes with the following display ports



  • 3x Display port

  • 1x HDMI



ASUS ROG STRIX GTX 1080 Ti Gaming OC come with an extra 1x DVI port



Dust build up on heat sink

Dust build is always inevitable. If you live in a very dusty environment, be sure you check and clean the internal heat sink.



What I discovered about the blow-in GPU design, is that the front of heat sink can build up a lot of dust that cause air blockage. Meaning majority of cold air gets blocked and does not cool the heat sink.
GOODS



Internal board components built with high quality parts

NVIDIA always build their GPU with best electronic parts, which can tolerate against heavy gaming for hours.



The front display shield density is greater then its AIBs.



Has better performance rating compared to its AIBs



The card circuit board is not exposed

I don't like circuit board being exposed in the open. This prevent dust build up on the circuit board.



Good of Blow-in design (how the hot air gets out)

We know computers and servers work better in cold and controlled dry and humid environment. Blow-in design lets the hot air out through the Display shield. Since the hot air from the GPU does not get encapsulated in the computer case, the GPU can work well even with an ordinary tower case.



Uses less electricity

NVIDIA requires 1x 6 pin and 1x 8 pin power plug. Some AIB cards require 2x 8 pin power plug which use a little more electricity.



Replacing the Thermal paste is easy

Some AIBs require the removal of the entire chassis & heatsink to replace the thermal paste. FE only need to remove some parts of chassis & heatsink to get to the GPU architecture.



Requires 1 size thermal pad

Choosing the correct thickness is important. 1 mm is all it needs.



Not heavy

The card does not need GPU support pole to support its weight. Which won't damage the PCI slot on the motherboard
Got my hands in the "original" NVIDIA's GTX 1080 TI Founders Edition



In NZ, finding an "original" founders edition is very RARE







A BULLION

An authentic Mona Lisa painting~~~
Awesome, thorough post! Before I got the holy grail of a 3060 Ti FE, I had my eyes on the 1080 Ti. Even in scalper days, the 1080 Ti is usually well-priced. The 10-series is so impressive. Even the 1060 holds up today! Thanks for the review!
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