MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Gaming X 8G Review

Test Setup

Our GPU test rig uses Intel's X99 platform. Specifically, we use the Asus Rampage V Extreme paired with an Intel Core i7-5960X. This combination gives us 40 PCI-E 3.0 lanes to play with, meaning that even if we test 4-way SLI set-ups, we'll have available the maximum possible bandwidth. With eight cores and 16 threads via HyperThreading, the CPU ensures even the most multi-threaded games won't be bottlenecked, and we've overclocked it to 4.2GHz as well with a baseclock of 127.3MHz, a multiplier of 33 and a vcore of 1.25V, further alleviating CPU bottlenecks. The CPU is paired with 16GB (4 x 4GB) of Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 clocked at 2,667MHz and cooled by a Corsair Hydro Series H75.

The rig is powered by the Corsair AX1500i, which has enough wattage and 8-pin PCI-E power connectors to deal with any multi-GPU set-up we care to throw at it. It's all housed inside a Corsair Graphite Series 760T, which is spacious enough for 4-way set-ups with any card. The final component is an OCZ Vector 180 960GB SSD, giving us plenty of space for game installs.

Our results come from a mix of built-in benchmarks and custom, manually-played sections, depending on the game. We typically use FRAPS to record the average and minimum frame rates, but may use a game's own benchmark measurement tools in the event FRAPS doesn't work (e.g. with certain DX12 titles). All benchmarks are repeated at least three times to ensure consistency. We test at 1,920 x 1,080 (1080p) and 2,560 x 1,440 (1440p), as well as at 3,840 x 2,160 (4K) with higher end cards. The operating system is an up-to-date copy of Windows 10 64-bit.

Test System

• CPU: Intel Core i7-5960X at 4.2GHz (33 x 127.3MHz)
  
• Motherboard: Asus Rampage V Extreme
  
• Memory: 4 x 4GB Corsair Vengeance LPX 2,800MHz DDR4 (at 2,667MHz)
  
• PSU: Corsair AX1500i
  
• SSD: OCZ Vector 180 960GB
  
• Case: Corsair Graphite Series 760T
  
• CPU cooler: Corsair Hydro Series H75
  
• Operating system: Windows 10 64-bit

AMD Graphics Cards

• AMD Radeon RX 480 8GB - 1,266MHz GPU, 8GHz GDDR5 (Radeon Software Crimson 16.6.2 Beta)
• AMD Radeon R9 Fury X 4GB - 1,050MHz GPU, 1GHz HBM (Radeon Software Crimson 16.6.1)
  
• Sapphire Radeon R9 390X Nitro 8GB - 1,080MHz GPU, 6GHz GDDR5 (Radeon Software Crimson 16.6.1)
  
• Sapphire Radeon R9 380 ITX Compact 4GB - 1,000MHz GPU, 5.8GHz GDDR5 (Radeon Software Crimson 16.6.1)

Nvidia Graphics Cards

• EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 FTW 8GB - 1,721MHz GPU (1,860MHz boost), 10GHz GDDR5X (GeForce 368.39)
  
• MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Gaming X 8G 8GB - 1,708MHz GPU (1,847MHz boost), 10GHz GDDR5X (GeForce 368.39)
  
• Asus GeForce GTX 1070 Strix 8GB - 1,657MHz GPU (1,860MHz boost), 8GHz GDDR5 (GeForce 368.39)
  
• Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 Ti 6GB - 1,000MHz GPU (1,075MHz boost), 7GHz GDDR5 (GeForce 368.22)
  
• Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 4GB - 1,126MHz GPU (1,216MHz boost), 7GHz GDDR5 (GeForce 368.22)
  
• Asus GeForce GTX 970 DirectCU Mini 4GB - 1,088MHz GPU (1,228MHz boost), 7GHz GDDR5 (GeForce 368.22)
  
• Palit GeForce GTX 960 Super JetStream 2GB - 1,279MHz (1,342MHz boost), 7.2GHz GDDR5 (GeForce 368.39)