GTX 1080 Ti vs RTX 2080

PascalvsTuringUpdated 35 days ago

The RTX 2080 claims victory for prevalent machine learning use cases like training and inference. It provides 13 percent more compute at 10.1 TFLOPS over 8.9 TFLOPS, twice the bandwidth at 616 GB/s versus 320 GB/s, and cloud pricing from $0.05 per hour against $0.60 per hour.

GTX 1080 Ti from $0.30/hrRTX 2080 from $0.13/hr

Specifications Compared

SpecGTX-1080RTX-2080
TDP180W215W
VRAM8-11 GB8-11 GB
CUDA Cores2,5602,944
Memory TypeGDDR5XGDDR6
ArchitecturePascalTuring
Form FactorsPCIePCIe
InterconnectNVLink
FP16 Performance8.9 TFLOPS10.1 TFLOPS
FP32 Performance8.9 TFLOPS10.1 TFLOPS
Memory Bandwidth320 GB/s616 GB/s

Performance Analysis

Compute throughput marks a key distinction: the RTX 2080 achieves 10.1 TFLOPS in FP16 and FP32, exceeding the GTX 1080 Ti's 8.9 TFLOPS by 13 percent. In machine learning training, this benefits FP16-optimized models with quicker convergence; for inference, it accelerates real-time predictions on large batches. The FP16 to FP32 parity on both GPUs suits mixed-precision workflows without penalties. Memory bandwidth doubles from 320 GB/s on the GTX 1080 Ti to 616 GB/s on the RTX 2080, allowing larger batch sizes in training and reducing latency in data-intensive inference. Higher bandwidth mitigates bottlenecks in models with high memory traffic, such as transformers. The RTX 2080's NVLink enables scaled multi-GPU training, unlike the GTX 1080 Ti's lack of interconnect. Although TDP rises 19 percent to 215W, Turing's architecture yields superior efficiency per watt for sustained cloud runs.

Live Cloud Pricing

Real-time prices from 25+ providers. Updated every 60 seconds.

GTX 1080 Ti

ProviderGPU ModelVRAMHost SpecsRegionPriceStatusAction
LeaderGPU
LeaderGPU
4×NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080
8GB VRAM
$0.30/GPU/hr
$1.20/hr total (4×)
Available
LeaderGPU
LeaderGPU
8×NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti
11GB VRAM
$0.60/GPU/hr
$4.80/hr total (8×)
Available

RTX 2080

ProviderGPU ModelVRAMHost SpecsRegionPriceStatusAction
Vast.ai
Vast.ai
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Ti
11GB VRAM
$0.13/GPU/hr
Available

Compare real-time pricing across 25+ providers

When to Choose the GTX 1080 Ti

The GTX 1080 Ti fits legacy applications tuned specifically to Pascal architecture, where compatibility avoids rework. Its 180W TDP suits power-limited cloud environments that cap at lower draws than the RTX 2080's 215W. With pricing at $0.60 per hour across limited offers, it serves short-term tasks when RTX 2080 stock is unavailable.

When to Choose the RTX 2080

The RTX 2080 excels in modern deep learning due to 10.1 TFLOPS compute and 616 GB/s bandwidth, outperforming the GTX 1080 Ti's 8.9 TFLOPS and 320 GB/s. NVLink support aids multi-GPU scaling for distributed workloads. At $0.05 per hour starting and $0.07 average, it delivers unmatched value for extended training sessions.

Use Cases

LLM Training
RTX 2080

The RTX 2080's 10.1 TFLOPS FP16 performance and 616 GB/s bandwidth handle large language models with bigger batches than the GTX 1080 Ti's 8.9 TFLOPS and 320 GB/s. NVLink enhances multi-GPU scaling.

LLM Inference
RTX 2080

Higher 616 GB/s bandwidth on the RTX 2080 supports low-latency inference on voluminous models, surpassing the GTX 1080 Ti's 320 GB/s. Compute at 10.1 TFLOPS ensures faster token generation.

Fine-tuning
RTX 2080

RTX 2080's 13 percent compute edge at 10.1 TFLOPS accelerates fine-tuning iterations over GTX 1080 Ti's 8.9 TFLOPS. Cost at $0.05 per hour favors prolonged sessions.

Stable Diffusion
RTX 2080

Turing architecture and 616 GB/s bandwidth optimize diffusion model generation on RTX 2080 better than Pascal's 320 GB/s on GTX 1080 Ti. 8-11 GB VRAM suffices for both.

Scientific Computing
Either

Both deliver FP32 at similar ratios with 8.9 or 10.1 TFLOPS, suiting simulations. Choose RTX 2080 for bandwidth-intensive codes or GTX 1080 Ti for power-constrained setups.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which GPU has higher memory bandwidth, GTX 1080 Ti or RTX 2080?

The RTX 2080 provides 616 GB/s bandwidth with GDDR6 memory, double the GTX 1080 Ti's 320 GB/s using GDDR5X. This benefits batch processing in machine learning. Both offer 8 to 11 GB VRAM.

What are the cloud rental prices for GTX 1080 Ti and RTX 2080?

GTX 1080 Ti rentals start from $0.60 per hour, averaging $0.60 per hour across 1 offer. RTX 2080 starts at $0.05 per hour, averaging $0.07 per hour over 2 offers. The RTX 2080 offers better value.

Is the RTX 2080 faster than GTX 1080 Ti for ML training?

Yes, the RTX 2080's 10.1 TFLOPS FP16 exceeds the GTX 1080 Ti's 8.9 TFLOPS by 13 percent for training. Bandwidth at 616 GB/s versus 320 GB/s further speeds large-model runs.

Does GTX 1080 Ti support NVLink?

No, the GTX 1080 Ti lacks NVLink interconnect and uses PCIe only. The RTX 2080 includes NVLink for multi-GPU communication. This impacts scaled training setups.

What is the TDP difference between GTX 1080 Ti and RTX 2080?

The GTX 1080 Ti consumes 180W TDP, lower than the RTX 2080's 215W. Lower TDP suits constrained hosts, but RTX 2080 delivers more performance per deployment.

Which is better for FP32 workloads?

The RTX 2080 edges out with 10.1 TFLOPS FP32 against GTX 1080 Ti's 8.9 TFLOPS. Both maintain FP16 parity, fitting scientific and inference tasks.

Which is cheaper to rent, the GTX 1080 or the RTX 2080?

Cloud rental prices for both the GTX 1080 and RTX 2080 vary by provider, configuration, and availability. This page shows live pricing from 25+ providers updated every 60 seconds. Scroll to the Live Cloud Pricing section to compare current rates.

How much VRAM does the GTX 1080 have compared to the RTX 2080?

The GTX 1080 has 8 to 11 GB of GDDR5X memory. The RTX 2080 has 8 to 11 GB of GDDR6 memory.

Can I find GTX 1080 and RTX 2080 GPUs available to rent right now?

Yes. This page shows real-time availability across 25+ cloud GPU providers. The Live Cloud Pricing section displays only in-stock offers with current pricing.

What is the main difference between the GTX 1080 and the RTX 2080?

The GTX 1080 uses the Pascal architecture (2016) while the RTX 2080 uses Turing (2018). The RTX 2080 delivers 1.1x the FP16 throughput and 1.9x the memory bandwidth of the GTX 1080.

GTX 1080 Ti vs RTX 2080: 11GB vs 11GB | GPUPerHour