RTX 4060 Ti Vs RTX 2080: Should You Upgrade?

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Uzair Qureshi

At Tech4Gamers, I proudly wear the title of Comparisons Specialist. Focused on CPUs and GPUs, I bring forth a wealth of hands-on experience and a keen eye for detail to provide our audience with the latest insights and analyses.

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In this comparison of the RTX 4060 Ti vs RTX 2080, I will test both GPUs in gaming benchmarks to see how they perform against each other. My main goal? To help you select the right GPU for your rig. 

Key Takeaways

• The RTX 4060 Ti was about 20% faster than the RTX 2080, as per my testing at 1440p without DLSS enabled.
• The TDP RTX 4060 Ti is also 34% lower than that of the RTX 2080, making it a more power-efficient card.
• The DLSS 3 frame generation of the RTX 4060 Ti can double the framerate of games in which it is supported.
• The RTX 2080 can be bought for almost half the price of the RTX 4060 Ti.

RTX 4060 Ti Vs RTX 2080

Comparison Table

Architectural Differences

1. Process Size: The RTX 2080 has an older and less complex 12nm manufacturing process, whereas the RTX 4060 Ti uses a modern 5nm manufacturing process.
2. Clock Speeds: The RTX 2080 has a base clock speed of 2310MHz, while it can boost slightly higher to up to 2535MHz. The RTX 2080, however, has a much lower base clock at 1515MHz and a lower boost clock as well at 1710MHz.
3. VRAM: The RTX 4060 Ti comes in two VRAM configurations, one at 8GB and one at 16GB, for a 100-dollar price hike. The RTX 2080, however, is stuck with 8GB of GDDR6 VRAM.
4. TDP: The newer and more power-efficient design of the RTX 4060 Ti allows it to have a low TDP of 160W, whereas the RTX 2080 utilizes much more power at 215W.
5. Other Features: The greater number of Tensor and RT Cores on the RTX 4060 Ti along with their more refined technology, blows the RTX 2080’s first-generation implementation out of the water.

Benchmarks

Now that we know how the hardware of the two cards has changed, this part of the RTX 4060 Ti vs RTX 2080 comparison will concern itself with explaining the difference in real-world gaming performance between these two GPUs.

The benchmarks shown in this section were conducted using a testbench designed to eliminate CPU bottlenecking in these cards using the 1440p resolution, and the specifications of this testbench are written below:

• CPU – AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
• RAM – 2x16GB DDR4 3600MHz G.Skill 
• SSD – Samsung 980 Pro
• Power Supply – CORSAIR RM850i 850W
• CPU Cooler – Zalman CNPS10X Performa
• OS – Windows 10 Pro
• MOBO – ASUS ROG X570 Crosshair VIII Hero

I conducted these tests accurately, measuring the pure performance capabilities of both cards by not utilizing ray tracing or DLSS.

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla

• In the immersive world of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, my gaming experience with the RTX 4060 Ti was nothing short of impressive. This powerful GPU effortlessly delivered an average of 70 FPS, surpassing its predecessor, the RTX 2080, which could only muster around 60 FPS.
• As I delved deeper into the game, I noticed that even in challenging moments, the RTX 4060 Ti maintained remarkable consistency with 1% lows of 58 FPS, ensuring a smooth and immersive gameplay experience. On the other hand, the older RTX 2080 struggled slightly, achieving the 1% low of 54 FPS.
• What’s more, temperature control was an area where the RTX 4060 Ti truly shone. Even during intense gaming sessions, it managed to keep its cool, with temperatures peaking at a comfortable 64°C. In contrast, the RTX 2080 tended to heat up more, reaching a higher temperature of 66°C.

Cyberpunk 2077

• When playing Cyberpunk 2077, my gaming journey with the RTX 4060 Ti revealed a substantial leap in performance compared to the RTX 2080. With the newer GPU delivering an impressive average framerate of 76 FPS. In contrast, the RTX 2080 seemed to struggle to keep up, offering a noticeably slower average of 62 FPS.
• The 1% lows, which measure the consistency of performance, clearly favored the newer GPU. It held firm with minimum framerates of 66 FPS. Meanwhile, the RTX 2080 dipped below the 60 FPS mark, providing the 1% lows of just 54 FPS.
• When it came to thermal management, both GPUs maintained their cool composure. The 4060 Ti impressively averaged at around 65°C, keeping the GPU’s temperature well within control. In contrast, the RTX 2080 ran ever so slightly warmer, reaching a peak temperature of around 66°C.

Watch Dogs Legion

• In my observations with Watch Dogs Legion, the performance gap between the RTX 4060 Ti and the RTX 2080 continued to widen. The older card, the RTX 2080, maintained an average frame rate of 65 FPS, while the RTX 4060 Ti impressively achieved an average frame rate of around 95 FPS, showcasing a substantial performance advantage.
• Not only did the RTX 4060 Ti excel in terms of average performance, but it also had a significant edge in terms of 1% lows, boasting a minimum frame rate of around 79 FPS, compared to the RTX 2080, with a minimum frame rate of approximately 44 FPS.
• Furthermore, in line with what we’ve seen in previous games, the RTX 4060 Ti demonstrated better thermal management, reaching a peak temperature of 63°C, while the RTX 2080 ran slightly warmer with a peak temperature of 65°C.

Red Dead Redemption 2

• In my experience with Red Dead Redemption 2, the contrast in performance between the newer card, the RTX 4060 Ti, and the aging RTX 2080 was quite evident. The RTX 4060 Ti delivered a much smoother gaming experience with an average frame rate of 92 FPS, while the RTX 2080 struggled to keep up, providing a considerably lower average of only 63 FPS.
• When it came to 1% lows, it was clear that age didn’t favor the RTX 2080 either. The older card exhibited a minimum frame rate of just 44 FPS, while the RTX 4060 Ti confidently maintained a frame rate of approximately 78 FPS, even in graphically intense scenarios.
• Similar to previous observations, the temperatures also favored the RTX 4060 Ti as it ran slightly cooler, with a peak temperature of around 64°C, whereas the aging RTX 2080 operated at a slightly warmer peak of 65°C.

Doom Eternal

• In my hands-on experience with this exceptionally well-optimized game, it was intriguing to observe how closely both cards performed in terms of average frame rates. The RTX 4060 demonstrated an average frame rate of 156 FPS, while the RTX 2080 wasn’t far behind, delivering a slightly lower average of around 151 FPS.
• However, the more significant variance was evident in their 1% low frame rates. Interestingly, despite the gap, it was quite challenging to feel or notice this difference during actual gameplay. The RTX 4060 Ti maintained a minimum frame rate of 137 FPS, while the RTX 2080 dipped slightly lower with a frame rate of 126 FPS.
• What caught my attention was the thermal performance of these cards. The RTX 4060 Ti experienced a notable temperature increase, reaching a peak of 74°C, while the RTX 2080 managed to keep its temperature in check, peaking at a cooler 63°C.

Horizon Zero Dawn

• In my testing, the RTX 4060 Ti maintained its lead in Horizon Zero Dawn, showcasing an average frame rate of 115 FPS, while the aging RTX 2080 fell slightly behind with an average of 105 FPS.
• As per my observation, the 1% lows were also quite close in this game, with the RTX 4060 Ti holding a minimum frame rate of 90 FPS and the RTX 2080 not far behind with a minimum frame rate of 84 FPS. This subtle difference would likely go unnoticed by most gamers during their gameplay.
• Interestingly, the thermal dynamics took a turn in this particular game. The RTX 4060 Ti, according to my testing, ran notably warmer, reaching a temperature of 65°C, whereas the RTX 2080 from the 80 series maintained a cooler peak temperature of 60°C.

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey

• Concluding the gaming benchmarks with Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. The RTX 4060 Ti demonstrated a significant advantage over the aging RTX 2080. The newer card maintained an impressive average frame rate of 98 FPS, whereas the older RTX 2080 struggled to keep up, offering an average of around 75 FPS.
• The gap in 1% lows was even more noticeable in this game than in the averages. The RTX 2080 reached a minimum frame rate of 60 FPS, while the RTX 4060 Ti boasted relatively high 1% lows of 88 FPS.
• Interestingly, the RTX 4060 Ti ran warmer in this game by a significant margin, with a peak temperature of around 73°C, whereas the RTX 2080 managed to keep its cool at a temperature of 62°C.

Overall Gaming Performance

Now that we’ve measured the performance of the RTX 4060 Ti vs RTX 2080 on a game-to-game basis, this part of the comparison will highlight the averages of these values, indicating what you’d get with each card if you decide to purchase it.

Framerate

• On average, the RTX 4060 Ti had a framerate of 100 FPS, whereas the RTX 2080 had a framerate of 83 FPS. This means that the RTX 4060 Ti has a 20% lead over the RTX 2080 in raw performance. 
• Coming to 1% lows, the RTX 4060 Ti allowed around 85 FPS, whereas the RTX 2080 had lows of 66 FPS. This means that the RTX 4060 Ti is prone to less stuttering while playing graphically intense games.
• The results I found today were irrespective of any upscaling software like DLSS. If I used DLSS, the RTX 4060 Ti would only strengthen its lead because of its frame generation technology.
• Ray tracing was also not utilized in this comparison, though it is safe to assume that the 3rd gen RT cores coupled with the higher base performance of the RTX 4060 Ti will definitely make it a better option for ray-traced gaming.

Temperature

• The RTX 4060 Ti had an average peak temperature of 67°C, whereas the RTX 2080 had a temperature of 65°C.
• The temperatures measured for the RTX 4060 Ti were higher than 2080, but they were not reason for concern.
• Both cards performed well within safe margins of temperature.

Price To Performance 

• The RTX 4060 Ti 8GB has a price-to-performance ratio of 0.25 frames/dollar, according to the games I tested today.
• The RTX 2080 has about twice the price-to-performance ratio of the RTX 4060 Ti at 0.48 frames/dollar.

Price And Availability

The RTX 4060 Ti can be had new for $399 for the 8GB variant, whereas the 16GB variant has an MSRP of $499.

The RTX 2080 only came in one variant with a launch MSRP of $699, but it can be had for around $170 on the used market because of its considerable age.

The RTX 4060 Ti should be easily found in computer part retailers near you, but the RTX 2080 might be hard to find because of its age. Still, you should be able to find both of them at any online retailer of your choice.

RTX 2080 Vs RTX 4060 Ti: Which One Would I Recommend?

In my opinion, I’ve covered all aspects of these cards that might affect your purchasing decision. Now, it’s time to reach a conclusion. 

As per my testing, the RTX 4060 Ti is an easier recommendation out of the two. It has about 20% more performance than the RTX 2080 in terms of raw horsepower. The lead of performance of the RTX 4060 Ti will only grow if we consider its frame generation technology.

It has a newer architecture, ensuring longer driver support. The RTX 4060 Ti also has a 34% lower TDP than the RTX 2080, making it the more power-efficient graphics card of the two.

The 2080, however, is the more cost-efficient graphics card, as it has almost twice the performance per dollar of the RTX 4060 Ti, making it a solid choice for gamers who are on a budget. If you can not afford the 4060 Ti, then I’d definitely recommend you to check it out.

The DLSS 2 technology on the RTX 2080, though not as useful as the frame generation technology on the RTX 4060 Ti, still goes a long way in bettering the gaming experience of your system.

Pros And Cons

Uzair Qureshi

[Comparisons Specialist]

I’m a passionate computer hardware expert specializing in CPUs and GPUs. With a lifelong curiosity for hardware and extensive hands-on experience, I provide valuable insights, practical advice, and in-depth analysis on these components. Engaging with the hardware community, I exchange knowledge and stay at the forefront of technological advancements.

Get In Touch: uzair@tech4gamers.com