Quick Answer
The GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER and the GeForce GTX 1080 Ti are high-performance graphics cards from different generations. The RTX 2070 SUPER generally offers newer features like ray tracing and DLSS, while the GTX 1080 Ti typically provides more raw memory bandwidth and VRAM. In rasterized gaming performance, they are often considered closely matched.
GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER vs GeForce GTX 1080 Ti: Full Comparison
Introduction
Comparing the GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER and the GeForce GTX 1080 Ti is a common exercise for PC builders and upgraders, as these two cards from different eras often appear in similar performance conversations. This comparison aims to clarify their architectural differences, feature sets, and gaming capabilities. By examining aspects like core technology, performance in modern games, and feature support, readers can better understand which card’s characteristics align with their specific needs.
Architecture and Core Technology
The fundamental difference lies in their underlying architecture, which dictates their capabilities beyond simple frame rates.
- GeForce GTX 1080 Ti: Based on the Pascal architecture, this card is focused on traditional rasterization performance. It utilizes CUDA cores for processing and lacks dedicated hardware for real-time ray tracing.
- GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER: Built on the newer Turing architecture. Its key technological advancement is the inclusion of dedicated RT Cores for ray tracing and Tensor Cores for AI-driven features like DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling).
This generational shift means the RTX 2070 SUPER is designed for a newer rendering paradigm, while the GTX 1080 Ti represents the peak of the pre-ray tracing era.
Gaming Performance
In traditional rasterization gaming (without ray tracing or DLSS), the performance between these two cards is often very close. The outcome can vary significantly depending on the game title, resolution, and graphical settings.
- At 1080p and 1440p: Both cards are typically capable of delivering high frame rates in most titles. The performance difference in many games is often within a few percentage points.
- At 4K: The GTX 1080 Ti’s larger 11GB VRAM and wider memory bus can provide an advantage in some memory-intensive scenarios, potentially leading to more consistent performance. However, the RTX 2070 SUPER’s 8GB of faster GDDR6 memory is also highly capable.
- With Ray Tracing & DLSS: This is where the RTX 2070 SUPER holds a distinct advantage. It can run games with real-time ray tracing effects enabled, and DLSS can help recover performance lost from those demanding effects, a feature set unavailable on the GTX 1080 Ti.
Features and Technologies
The feature gap is a major differentiator driven by their architectural generations.
- Ray Tracing: Exclusive to the RTX 2070 SUPER. This allows for more realistic lighting, shadows, and reflections in supported games.
- DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling): Exclusive to the RTX 2070 SUPER. This AI-based technology can boost performance and image quality by rendering at a lower resolution and upscaling.
- NVENC Encoder: The RTX 2070 SUPER features a more efficient, improved NVENC encoder, which is beneficial for content creators and streamers.
- VR Support: Both cards offer robust virtual reality support, though newer VR titles may begin to leverage RTX-specific features.
Power and Efficiency
The manufacturing process and architectural improvements give the newer card an efficiency advantage.
- GeForce GTX 1080 Ti: Manufactured on a 16nm process. It typically has a higher Thermal Design Power (TDP), often around 250 watts, which can result in higher heat output and power consumption.
- GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER: Manufactured on a more advanced 12nm process. It generally has a slightly lower TDP, typically around 215 watts, offering better performance per watt.
This efficiency difference can influence power supply requirements and system cooling needs.
Comparison Table
| Feature | GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER | GeForce GTX 1080 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Turing | Pascal |
| GPU Core | TU104 | GP102 |
| CUDA Cores | 2560 | 3584 |
| RT Cores | 40 (2nd Gen) | Not Available |
| Tensor Cores | 320 (for DLSS/AI) | Not Available |
| VRAM | 8 GB GDDR6 | 11 GB GDDR5X |
| Memory Bus | 256-bit | 352-bit |
| Memory Bandwidth | ~448 GB/s | ~484 GB/s |
| Base/Boost Clock | ~1605 MHz / ~1770 MHz | ~1480 MHz / ~1582 MHz |
| TDP (Typical) | ~215 Watts | ~250 Watts |
| Key Technologies | Real-Time Ray Tracing, DLSS, NVENC (Improved) | Traditional Rasterization, NVENC |
| Manufacturing Process | 12nm FinFET | 16nm FinFET |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which is faster for gaming, the RTX 2070 SUPER or GTX 1080 Ti?
In traditional gaming without ray tracing, they are generally very close in performance, with the winner varying by game. The GTX 1080 Ti may have an edge in some memory-bound scenarios at higher resolutions, while the RTX 2070 SUPER benefits from newer driver optimizations in many recent titles.
Does the GTX 1080 Ti support ray tracing?
No. The GTX 1080 Ti lacks the dedicated RT Cores required for hardware-accelerated ray tracing. Some games may offer a software-based ray tracing mode on GTX cards, but the performance impact is typically very severe, making it impractical for gameplay.
Is the extra VRAM on the GTX 1080 Ti important?
It can be, depending on use. For gaming at 4K with maximum texture settings in very demanding modern titles, 11GB of VRAM can provide more headroom and prevent texture-related stuttering compared to 8GB. For 1440p or 1080p gaming, 8GB is typically sufficient.
What is the main advantage of the RTX 2070 SUPER?
Its main advantages are support for modern features: real-time ray tracing for more realistic visuals and DLSS for boosting performance (and sometimes image quality) in supported games. It is also typically more power-efficient.
Final Thoughts
The GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER and GTX 1080 Ti represent two different philosophies in graphics card design. The GTX 1080 Ti remains a powerful card focused on raw rasterization performance with a larger memory buffer. The RTX 2070 SUPER, while similar in traditional performance, introduces a new suite of features that define modern gaming visuals, such as ray tracing and AI-enhanced rendering. The choice between them often hinges on the value placed on these next-generation features versus the potential benefits of higher VRAM capacity in specific scenarios. Both are capable of delivering a high-quality gaming experience, but their paths to achieving it differ significantly.