The gap changes with resolution.
Graphics card differences grow with resolution, because higher resolutions load the GPU harder.
| Resolution | RTX 4080 | RTX 5080 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p | 100 | 100 | 0% |
| 1440p | 100 | 100 | 0% |
| 4K | 100 | 100 | 0% |
In a real build with a Ryzen 5 9600X.
Specs alone don’t tell you which to buy. Here is what each one does when it’s actually paired up, at 1440p.
| Game (1440p, paired with the Ryzen 5 9600X) | RTX 4080 | RTX 5080 |
|---|---|---|
| League of Legends | 365 fps | 365 fps |
| Counter-Strike 2 | 313 fps | 313 fps |
| Grand Theft Auto V | 156 fps | 156 fps |
| Elden Ring | 128 fps | 128 fps |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 98 fps | 98 fps |
| Starfield | 97 fps | 97 fps |
Modelled from benchmark data, not measured for every pairing. Our published error rate is 21.6% mean absolute error.
So which should you buy?
Whichever is cheaper on the day. There is roughly 0% between them at 1440p, which you will not notice in a game.
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Common questions.
Straight answers on the RTX 4080 versus the RTX 5080.
Is the RTX 4080 better than the RTX 5080?
They are close enough to call a tie. At 1440p the RTX 4080 scores 100 on our index against 100 for the RTX 5080 — a gap of about 0%, which is inside the margin where you would not feel a difference while gaming. Buy whichever is cheaper or easier to find.
Does the RTX 4080 or RTX 5080 bottleneck a Ryzen 5 9600X?
Paired with a Ryzen 5 9600X at 1440p, the RTX 4080 build comes out balanced, and the RTX 5080 build comes out balanced. Being GPU-bound is the healthy outcome — it means the graphics card is the part working hardest.
Is it worth upgrading from the RTX 5080 to the RTX 4080?
No. A 0% index gap will not be visible in games, and the money is better spent on the other side of the build — usually the GPU.
Which is better value, the RTX 4080 or the RTX 5080?
On performance per dollar at MSRP, the RTX 5080 wins. The RTX 4080 lists at $1199 for an index of 100, and the RTX 5080 at $999 for 100.
Check either one against your build.
Pick a GPU and its counterpart, and get a verdict at all three resolutions in under 30 seconds.