RTX 3090 or RTX 3080 Ti - which one to keep ?

doopydug · 2 Nov 2021 at 14:11

I have two brand new graphics cards but only need one now, for my own system.

I don't play the latest games so both will probably be overkill for me however I have them now so, thats how its gonna go.

Question is - which one is most likely to run cooler at stock speeds ( I don't overclock) and / or give me less problems?

Inno3d iChill RTX3090 X4 or EVGA RTX 3080 Ti ULTRA FTW

Jay85 · 2 Nov 2021 at 14:15

probs the 3080ti, you don't have to worry about the memory chips on the back of the 3090 if you go with the 3080ti.

ToOo · 2 Nov 2021 at 14:35

Both are going to be more or less equally performant and it sound like value for money isnt really a concern if you have aib cards. So warranty support would probably be the deciding factor for me since there have been a non trivial number of issues with Ampere.
Off the top of my head we've had: pos caps Vs mlc stability issues, possibly faulty power phase design causing failures in new world, internal extension cables as a possible fire hazard, overheating memory, and leaking thermal pads. There are probably more I've forgotten.

doopydug · 2 Nov 2021 at 14:40

Thanks guys - both good points - anyone else?

Moley · 2 Nov 2021 at 14:43

Do you need the money? If so sell the one that is going to make you the most. Otherwise keep the best card - the 3090 - and sell the other. You can always undervolt the card to cool it and still get phenomenal performance.

doopydug · 2 Nov 2021 at 14:44

The money is not as important as which one will be the most reliable - not sure there is that a big leap in performance however?

Moley said:
Do you need the money? If so sell the one that is going to make you the most. Otherwise keep the best card - the 3090 - and sell the other. You can always undervolt the card to cool it and still get phenomenal performance.

ToOo · 2 Nov 2021 at 14:56

There isn't. It's 10240 cuda cores Vs 10496, they will benchmark within a few percent of each other at the same clock speed. Absolute performance winner is more likely to be determined by how good the silicon is and how well the cooler is mounted ( hopefully no finger sleeves )

Edit: actually, best answer is probably to try both and see which has less coil whine.

Poneros · 2 Nov 2021 at 15:44

How long do you want to keep the card for? If long (2-3+ years) then I'd consider the 3090 more strongly due to it having more VRAM and the x4 from Inno is usually pretty cool so there should be no worries with cooling.

delvey · 2 Nov 2021 at 15:54

You can extend the EVGA warranty to 10 years for about £45 within days FYI

Skynet5 · 2 Nov 2021 at 17:24

ToOo said:
There isn't. It's 10240 cuda cores Vs 10496, they will benchmark within a few percent of each other at the same clock speed. Absolute performance winner is more likely to be determined by how good the silicon is and how well the cooler is mounted ( hopefully no finger sleeves )

Edit: actually, best answer is probably to try both and see which has less coil whine.

reading through this, this was going to be my response too! I have zero coil while on my 3080FE. Just a fan with a unique noise. lol

doopydug · 2 Nov 2021 at 18:51

I agree that trying both would be the best option for me but one of them has to be sold and I would rather sell it with seal unbroken

turbot1984 · 2 Nov 2021 at 19:00

doopydug said:
I agree that trying both would be the best option for me but one of them has to be sold and I would rather sell it with seal unbroken

3080ti the one to sell. Otherwise you are left with second rung after owning the flagship?

Purgatory · 2 Nov 2021 at 19:20

If you keep cards for 3-5 years the 3090 is the keeper, if you plan to update next generation then the 3080ti. It really is that simple.

HangTime · 4 Nov 2021 at 02:17

No brainer to sell the 3080ti IMO, it is the more overpriced of the two.

Mr Mcgoo · 4 Nov 2021 at 11:32

i would keep the inno3d rtx 3090. they are some of the best 3090's you can get in terms of cooling. also if you want more money you could easily get more for the rtx 3080ti right now due to it being a newer while slightly less power card

subbytna · 4 Nov 2021 at 11:37

Moley said:
Do you need the money? If so sell the one that is going to make you the most. Otherwise keep the best card - the 3090 - and sell the other. You can always undervolt the card to cool it and still get phenomenal performance.

He doesn't if he's got both just sitting there

willhub · 4 Nov 2021 at 14:50

Sell 3090,you'll make more money.

THX1138 · 4 Nov 2021 at 15:18

keep the 3090 from a longevity point of view but if you like to upgrade more often then most sell the 3090 and stay with the 3080ti but in say 12 months time the 3080ti could take a bigger hit money wise selling on second hand.

doopydug · 4 Nov 2021 at 16:32

I don't upgrade often guys - so the decision was to keep the 3090 - in fact, it is now installed - cant believe it was about the same size as my 1080 ROG STRIX lol.

So, I am gonna sell the 3080 Ti any day now

Thanks for all the help - some interesting points of view

THX1138 · 5 Nov 2021 at 13:05

doopydug said:
I don't upgrade often guys - so the decision was to keep the 3090 - in fact, it is now installed - cant believe it was about the same size as my 1080 ROG STRIX lol.

So, I am gonna sell the 3080 Ti any day now

Thanks for all the help - some interesting points of view

Best option doopydug i would have gone for the 3090 myself.