Now that the RTX 4080 cards are available, I'll go serious with my new build. I'm determined the GPU will be a RTX 4080. As a sidenote, I usually buy my machines for a 5-years term and don't upgrade in-between (which worked so far as I keep an eye on balanced parts).

I have been with EVGA for several generations which were clear winners but are no longer an option after their divorce from Nvidia, unfortunately.

That machine will be specifically for MSFS, and notably VR (Reverb1 at present, but might be swapped at a point).

Can anyone with more hardware experience than me suggest which make to buy those days? Or, if anyone has a special suggestion, that would be very welcome. I read somewhere, factory OC shouldn't be overestimated, does this apply? 

Thank you for every suggestion, maybe I'm not alone with the choice.

Michael

I used to always buy EVGA but switched to Asus with no regrets. 

EVGA does not make graphic cards anymore.

I always took the cheapest versions from GIGABYTE without much blingbling and i was always happy.

Had a ASUS 1080 TI, then a GIGABYTE 3070 and currently the GIGABYTE 3080 TI.

Edited November 18, 20223 yr by Paladin2005

Asus!

Good luck finding one.  They all sold out in the us in a matter of minutes for the first batch at least.

Hi,

thanks for the suggestions.

1 minute ago, ryanbatc said:

Good luck finding one.  They all sold out in the us in a matter of minutes for the first batch at least.

Seem to be available here in Germany

https://geizhals.de/?cat=gra16_512&v=e&hloc=at&hloc=de&fcols=9816&sort=p&bl1_id=30&xf=545_ASUS~9816_03+05+17+-+RTX+4080

Kind regards, Michael

Here in Switzerland on stock since days. Does not sell so fast as the last generation.

I always pick MSI for GPUs.

Asus, Gigabyte, MSI - all good. I have had them all over the years and not much between them other than different cooling systems, but even then there was not much difference in temperatures.  I have used EVGA as well, but as stated, seems like they fell out with Nvidia.

As I use mine mainly of a night, quietness of the cooling systems (fans) is a big thing for me.  Haven't water-blocked a GPU for years.  I don't like all the plumbing!  

40 minutes ago, Paladin2005 said:

Here in Switzerland on stock since days. Does not sell so fast as the last generation.

I guess it's just us silly Americans buying GPUs for 1500 usd.  I have a decent salary but that's just far too much for me.  I'm looking at AMD now.

When it comes to cooler designs, Gigabyte and Palit/Gainward seem to have done the best job this generation.

While off-topic, if you're set on getting the RTX 4080, I would recommend waiting as long as possible for two reasons:

1. The uncertain situation with the melting power adapter, and the blank screen which requires a manual firmware update to be fixed for cards that have been produced until now. With Lovelace we are still in early adopter territory.
2. The RTX 4080 is priced like that in order to help move Ampere stock (and there is tons of it). Since it really should have been a $700 card, it can be expected that pricing will drop as more people buy GPUs during the holiday season, and especially with AMD's offerings competing at a much better price.

It is a real shame EVGA ended the relationship with Nvidia, I had an EVGA 3080TI for a while and now the FTW3 3090 and they are both great cards. I would be looking towards an Asus card for my next one. I have used Asus components for many years. Next would be MSI & Gigabyte. My 1080TI was a Zotac card and I had endless issues with the fans so I don't think I'd ever buy another Zotac card. I ended up removing the standard fan housing and strapping 2 Noctua's directly on to the heatsink, made a huge difference.

7 minutes ago, ChaoticBeauty said:

While off-topic, if you're set on getting the RTX 4080, I would recommend waiting as long as possible for two reasons:

I read this suggestion before and it's certainly valid. However, holiday time is the only over the year were I have a few connected spare days - which I'll certainly need - for installing the new system with all bells and whistles. Thus, the machine has to be ready in advance.

You guys are certainly right that cooling may be an important factor. Notably thanks to @RJC68 for the non-suggestion.

Kind regards, Michael

23 minutes ago, ryanbatc said:

I guess it's just us silly Americans buying GPUs for 1500 usd.  I have a decent salary but that's just far too much for me.  I'm looking at AMD now.

Discussions in shop forums here are clear. ~1500 is just ~700 too much.

19 minutes ago, ChaoticBeauty said:

1. The RTX 4080 is priced like that in order to help move Ampere stock (and there is tons of it). Since it really should have been a $700 card, it can be expected that pricing will drop as more people buy GPUs during the holiday season

That's what puzzles me even more. I expected Ampere prices to fall after the 4090/4080 releases, but what I observe they are rather rising, at least here in Germany.

We certainly all agree these cards are insanely overpriced. Your $700 would be a true price indeed, but unfortunately we have to feed the leather jacket man. 

Kind regards, Michael