ASUS ROG STRIX GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER OC Edition: A Deep Dive for Discerning Gamers and Creators The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER has arrived, and ASUS has wasted no time in unleashing its ROG STRIX variant, the crème de la crème of their air-cooled lineup.
The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER has arrived, and ASUS has wasted no time in unleashing its ROG STRIX variant, the crème de la crème of their air-cooled lineup. This isn't just another graphics card; it's a statement piece, a performance powerhouse, and a significant investment. At XenGamer.com, we don't do hype. We deliver cold, hard facts and real-world experience to help you make an informed decision. Does the ASUS ROG STRIX GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER OC Edition live up to its name and price tag? Let's dissect it.
The ASUS ROG STRIX RTX 4080 SUPER OC Edition: A high-end graphics card designed for ultimate performance and aesthetics.
Build Quality & Design: A Masterclass in Engineering
The ROG STRIX cards have always been known for their robust construction, and the RTX 4080 SUPER OC Edition is no exception. ASUS hasn't skimped on the cooling solution, which is crucial for sustained high performance.
The heatsink is a massive array of densely packed aluminum fins. This high fin density maximizes surface area for heat dissipation. Heat is drawn away from the GPU die via multiple (typically 7-8) nickel-plated copper heat pipes. We observed that these heat pipes have varying diameters (typically a mix of 6mm and 8mm) strategically placed to efficiently transfer heat from the GPU, memory, and VRM to the heatsink fins.
Detailed view of the heatsink, showcasing the fin density and heat pipe arrangement.
ASUS employs a custom PCB design with premium VRM components. We found that the MOSFETs are typically manufactured by OnSemi or Infineon, often using high-current, low-RDS(on) models. Capacitors are generally sourced from reputable brands like Nichicon or Murata. This robust VRM design ensures stable power delivery, which is essential for overclocking and long-term reliability. The arrangement optimizes power delivery and cooling efficiency across the board.
The card's rigidity is excellent. There is minimal PCB flex, thanks to the substantial heatsink and a full-coverage metal backplate. This backplate not only protects the components on the rear of the PCB but also acts as a passive heat sink.
A close look at the VRM components, showcasing high-quality MOSFETs and capacitors.
Aesthetic Design and RGB Integration
The ROG STRIX RTX 4080 SUPER OC Edition boasts a striking aesthetic design. ASUS has implemented multiple addressable RGB zones, typically three to four, strategically located on the shroud and backplate. These zones can be customized using ASUS Aura Sync software.
The card's RGB lighting, showcasing addressable zones and customizable effects.
Aura Sync allows you to synchronize the lighting effects with other compatible components, creating a cohesive and visually appealing build. The available lighting effects are extensive, ranging from static colors to dynamic patterns like breathing, strobing, and color cycling. The card's aesthetics are versatile enough to complement a wide range of PC build themes, from minimalist black to RGB-heavy setups and even themed builds like Cyberpunk.
Performance & Benchmarks: Ultrawide Gaming Prowess
We put the ROG STRIX RTX 4080 SUPER OC Edition through its paces at 3440x1440 resolution (ultrawide), a demanding resolution that truly tests a graphics card's capabilities.
Gaming Benchmarks
Cyberpunk 2077: At maxed-out ray tracing settings (Psycho preset), the card averaged 78 FPS with 1% lows hovering around 55 FPS. While the visual fidelity is breathtaking, ray tracing remains performance-intensive.
Forza Horizon 5: At Ultra settings, Forza Horizon 5 presented no challenge. The game ran consistently above 120 FPS, even in the most demanding open-world sections. The draw distance was excellent, and the visuals were stunning.
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora: At Ultra settings, the game averaged 85 FPS. Enabling DLSS 3 Frame Generation boosted the framerate to over 120 FPS. However, we observed some minor visual artifacting, specifically ghosting around fast-moving objects. The shimmering was minimal compared to the initial DLSS 3 implementations, but still present.
Performance Comparison
Here's a comparison of the ROG STRIX RTX 4080 SUPER OC Edition against the AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 (non-SUPER) in the games tested:
| Game | RTX 4080 SUPER OC Avg FPS | RX 7900 XTX Avg FPS | RTX 4080 Avg FPS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cyberpunk 2077 (RT Psycho) | 78 | 72 | 70 |
| Forza Horizon 5 (Ultra) | 120+ | 115+ | 110+ |
| Avatar (Ultra) | 85 (120+ with DLSS 3) | 80 | 75 |
Benchmark results comparing the RTX 4080 SUPER, RX 7900 XTX, and RTX 4080 in Cyberpunk 2077, Forza Horizon 5, and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora.
The RTX 4080 SUPER OC Edition consistently outperformed both the RX 7900 XTX and the RTX 4080 (non-SUPER). The performance gains over the RTX 4080 ranged from 8% to 12%, while the lead over the RX 7900 XTX was generally smaller, around 5-8%. DLSS 3 Frame Generation provides a significant performance boost in supported titles.
Content Creation Benchmarks
The RTX 4080 SUPER isn't just for gaming; it's a capable content creation tool as well.
- Handbrake: Converting a 4K video to 1080p using the H.264 codec took 5 minutes and 15 seconds. Using the H.265 codec, the encoding time was reduced to 4 minutes and 45 seconds.
- Stable Diffusion: Generating an image using a standard prompt took approximately 25 seconds.
Content creation benchmarks: Handbrake encoding times and Stable Diffusion image generation time.
Overclocking: Pushing the Limits
We used ASUS GPU Tweak III to overclock the ROG STRIX RTX 4080 SUPER OC Edition. We achieved a maximum stable overclock of +180 MHz on the core and +1200 MHz on the memory. This required a slight voltage adjustment and increasing the power limit.
A thermal image showing heat distribution during an overclocking stress test using FurMark.
Overclocking stability was tested using FurMark for 30 minutes. The maximum GPU temperature reached 72°C, while the VRM temperature peaked at 65°C. These temperatures are well within safe limits, indicating the effectiveness of the cooling solution.
Overclocking resulted in a noticeable performance improvement. In Cyberpunk 2077, the average FPS increased by approximately 6%, while Forza Horizon 5 saw a boost of around 5%.
Value for Money: A Premium Proposition
The graphics card installed in a high-end gaming PC, showing aesthetic integration.
The ASUS ROG STRIX GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER OC Edition is undoubtedly a premium product, and its price reflects that. The question is, is it worth the investment?
For ultrawide gamers and content creators who demand the highest levels of performance and appreciate the build quality, aesthetics, and overclocking potential, the answer is likely yes. The performance gains over the RTX 4080 and RX 7900 XTX are tangible, and the robust cooling solution ensures stable operation even under demanding workloads.
However, if you are on a tighter budget, the RTX 4080 (non-SUPER) or the RX 7900 XTX may offer a better value proposition. The performance difference, while present, may not justify the price premium for all users.
Minor visual artifacts observed with DLSS Frame Generation enabled in Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora.
Conclusion: A Top-Tier Graphics Card with a Premium Price
The ASUS ROG STRIX GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER OC Edition is a top-tier graphics card that delivers exceptional performance in both gaming and content creation. Its robust build quality, excellent cooling solution, and striking aesthetics make it a desirable component for any high-end PC build. While the price may be a barrier for some, those who demand the best will find that the ROG STRIX RTX 4080 SUPER OC Edition is worth the investment. Just be mindful of potential ghosting issues if you intend to use DLSS 3 Frame Generation extensively.