The RTX 3080 has been announced and we’ve been able to absorb the specifications and potential performance of this latest series of GPUs from Nvidia. If the promises made in the keynote presentation are even close to met this GPU will define a new standard in graphics card capability. This is a $699 card that significantly outperforms the $1,200 RTX 2080 Ti launched just 2 years ago. The release date is scheduled for 17th September so now is the time to get your order placed and consider the rest of the PC you’ll need to support this epic GPU.
The RTX 3080 specifications indicate that it will be capable of high-framerate 4k gaming with settings on Ultra. The Tech demos and gaming demos show unprecedented detail and fidelity, all the while retaining smooth frame rates. NVidia has doubled the shader core, ray tracing core and tensor core performance over the outgoing Turing series RTX cards, whilst memory capacity is 10GB of GDDR6X VRAM. Nvidia has made great strides in their DLSS 2.0’ algorithms and using AI to achieve the next level in gaming graphics. The 7th most powerful supercomputer in the world, Nvidias ‘Selene’, is fed 16K resolution static renders of scenes from games: This trains a neural network that forms part of the driver package for RTX GPU’s. When you’re playing the game the Tensor cores use the neural network to upscale a lower resolution output to a native 4K image, and the output is actually higher quality than the native resolution would be. It also runs at a higher frame rate because of the lower computational loads for the GPU rendering at the lower initial resolution. This is truly next-generation technology and allows for jaw-dropping effects and post-processing without dropping frame rates.
To experience the full potential of the RTX 3080 you’ll need a high end supporting system capable of delivering information to the GPU and producing high frame rates. We’ve considered all the options in concert with the anticipated performance demands of the RTX 3080 and this is the result: PremiumBuilds Best RTX 3080 Gaming PC Build Guide.
- Related: Best CPUs for RTX 3080 Builds
RTX 3080 Gaming PC Build – The Parts List
| Component | Selection | Price |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core i7-10700K | $394 |
| CPU Cooler | NZXT Kraken X53 | $129 |
| Motherboard | Gigabyte Z490 AORUS ULTRA | $289 |
| Graphics Card | Nvidia RTX 3080 Founders Edition | $699 |
| Memory | Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 | $129 |
| Storage | ADATA XPG SX8200 Pro 2 TB M.2-2280 NVME SSD | $229 |
| Case | Lian Li PC-O11 Dynamic | $139 |
| Power Supply | Corsair RMx (2018) 750 W 80+ Gold | $129 |
| Monitor | Asus ROG Strix XG27UQ | $799 |
| Total: | $2936 |
CPU: Intel Core i7-10700K
The RTX 3080 is undoubtedly going to set new levels in gaming performance so we’ve gone to the high-end Intel CPU’s to ensure that the System has the processing power to keep up. The Core i7-10700K is an 8=core CPU with multithreading and a 5.1GHz boost clock. The per-core advantage of Intel means that these CPU’s offer significantly more headroom over their AMD equivalents and when a GPU as powerful as the RTX 3080 exists, that performance gap matters. Whilst it lacks PCIe 4.0 and the RTX 3080 is PCIe 4.0-ready this isn’t an issue as the PCIe specification is both forwards and backwards compatible. Nvidia has confirmed that their innovative ‘RTX I/O’ storage technology that allows the GPU to access data on SSD’s directly doesn’t require on PCIe 4.0. This CPU gives excellent performance and will ensure the RTX 3080 has all the game data it needs to produce spectacular results.
CPU Cooler: NZXT Kraken X53
The i7-10700K is still a 14nm process chip, and with high clock rates its power demands are large. This necessitates a strong cooler for the 10700K and the NZXT Kraken X53 fits the bill well. This 240mm AIO uses a liquid coolant and pump to draw heat away from the CPU. The cold plate head uses NZXT’s infinite mirror surface and is gorgeous to look at with configurable RGB and the NZXT logo. The cold plate itself uses copper for maximum thermal conductivity. This CPU cooler has both the looks and performance to do this build justice.
Motherboard: Gigabyte Z490 AORUS Ultra
The i7-10700K is a power-hungry chip and needs a solid underpinning motherboard to ensure it can run at full speeds. The Gigabyte Z490 Aorus Ultra brings an attractive feature set and high-performance voltage delivery circuity at a $290 price point. It has a true 12-phase design omitting doublers and uses 60 Amp power stages to ensure it can deliver ample current without overheating or voltage instability. The VRMs are cooler with finned heat sinks and a heat pipe. This is essential in allowing the i7-10700K to maintain high boost clocks or an overclock. Additional features include Wi-Fi 6, 2.5GB Lan, and a high-quality ALC 1220 Audio codec chip. A word of caution regarding the LAN: Intel’s I225V 2.5GB Ethernet controller had problems with poor connection quality in the first revisions. This has now been corrected with a 3rd revision so ensure you’re getting recent stock of this motherboard and you won’t have issues. The board includes 3 full-length PCIe 3.0 slots and three M.2 slots SSD’s. Aesthetically this board is highly attractive with near full shielding with integrated RGB and a backplate for structural rigidity.
Memory: Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory
A build of this potency needs 32Gb RAM to ensure there are no performance issues even with the most demanding upcoming games. As open-world games expand and become more complex to take advantage of next-generation cards like the RTX 3080, demands on RAM will only increase. Microsoft Flight 2020 recommends 32Gb currently. We’ve chosen Corsair’s Vengeance RGB Pro due to the simple and clean RGB light bar on the rear and guaranteed compatibility with the motherboard. The 3200MHz speed represents a sweet spot of price to performance, with limited memory scaling on Intel CPU’s.
Storage: ADATA XPG SX8200 Pro 2TB
Games are getting ever bigger but thankfully fast NVMe drives are becoming more affordable. This 2Tb drive from ADATA, the XPG S8200 Pro, matches the speeds of the very highest performance drives through the use of TLC NAND memory and the Silicon Motion SM2262EN controller, but significantly undercuts them on price. It has an endurance of 640TBW, and 5 years warranty so you can be assured it is long-lasting. Now all of your games can be ‘on the fast drive’, and it’s equally suited to video editing and other disc intensive workloads so if your PC is more than just a games machine we have that covered too.
Case: Lian Li PC-O11 Dynamic
A build with high-quality parts deserves to be showcased. That’s why we’ve opted for the Lian Li PC-O11 Dynamic. This innovative case places the Motherboard and GPU in one compartment, and the power supply and drives hidden in a separate side compartment for the cleanest looks. Cooling is provided by vents through form the showcase side so the NZXT AIO will take pride of place. Tempered glass construction displays the build from all angles and build quality is exceptionally high with Lian-Li being class leaders in their choice of materials and manufacturing processes.
Power Supply: Corsair RMx (2018) 750W 80+ Gold
Nvidia specifies a 750W power supply to cope with the 320W power demand of the RTX 3080 plus additional components. We’ve specified a very high tier unit, the Corsair RMx 750W. This is a gold-efficiency rated PSU with a fully modular construction: you only attach the cables your build needs. Combined with the Lian-Li case this allows you to specify full custom cables to really personalise the look of your PC – Corsair even sell their own cable packs in a variety of styles. This PSU fully populates the 2 EPS connectors on the Gigabyte motherboard to ensure the i7-10700K has ample power supply. The GPU power adaptor cable is supplied with the RTX 3080, or else the partner boards have retained the standard PCIe power cable sockets. Fan stop technology ensures silent operation when the PSU is under light load and the Corsair RMx is backed by a 10-year warranty for peace of mind.
Monitor: Asus ROG Strix XG27UQ 27.0″ 4K 144 Hz Monitor
Finally, we come to the monitor for this RTX 3080 Build. 4K gaming has been promised for years now but the RTX 3080 is the first consumer GPU that truly delivers. For that reason, we’ve opted for the ASUS Rog Strix XG27UQ, a top tier 4K monitor with 144hz refresh rates and Adaptive Sync. The IPS panel combines the benefits of fast response times and vibrant colours. This monitor carries DisplayHDR 400 and Professional colour gamut certification as a hallmark of its panel quality. With 1ms quoted response time and 144hz refresh rate, you can finally enjoy high FPS 4k gaming with minimal lag, at maximum settings. This is a monitor that will truly do justice to the immense capability of the RTX 3080.
Conclusion
The RTX 3080 looks set to bring 4K gaming into the mainstream. This $699 GPU promises to achieve what products at nearly twice the price haven’t managed up until now. With this PC build you’ll be able to enjoy next Gen titles like CyberPunk 2077, Assassins Creed Brotherhood and Death Stranding as they were envisaged by their creators: Glorious 4K, RTX on, full effects and at buttery smooth framerates. You’ll be at the forefront of this generation leap in graphics technology thanks to the prodigious power of the RTX 3080, and the supporting system we’ve recommended for you.
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