Review of the Palit GeForce RTX 4080 Super GamingPro OC video card (16 GB)

There is a lull in the video card market: buyers are adapting to a significant increase in equipment prices due to the lowering of the threshold for duty-free import of goods to 200 euros. As a result, many mid- and high-end video cards supplied through unofficial channels have become more expensive. Thus, prices for video cards in official retail, subject to 20% VAT, and on marketplaces have become almost equal.

Today we will look at the second-level video card in terms of performance among modern 3D accelerators — GeForce RTX 4080 Super from Palit. This is a model from the GamingPro series, known for the ability to customize the cooling casing.

Before moving on to detailed tests, we will provide brief information about the performance of the family to which this accelerator belongs, as well as about its competitors. All data will be subjectively assessed by us on a seven-point scale.

We have repeatedly noted that when using top-end video cards at 2.5K and even 4K resolutions in classic games, performance is often limited not by the video card, but by other system components, in particular the central processor. This is true for the Palit graphics card, as well as for all cards based on the GeForce RTX 4080 Super. With this card you can enjoy full comfort in games with resolutions up to 4K at maximum graphics settings (without ray tracing), and in some games even at 8K resolution you can achieve acceptable performance.

Enabling ray tracing reduces performance, but the scaling technologies from Nvidia, AMD and Intel, already implemented in almost all games with ray tracing, perfectly compensate for this decrease in speed. Therefore, for such a powerful video card as the GeForce RTX 4080 Super, the conclusions about the possibility of comfortable gaming in 4K resolution remain relevant. At 8K resolution with ray tracing active, even turning on DLSS 3 may not provide sufficient comfort, but overall it is still playable.

Palit Microsystems (trademark Palit) was founded in 1988 in Taiwan. The headquarters are located in Taipei, the major logistics center is in Hong Kong, and the European sales office is in Germany. Manufacturing factories are located in China. The company has been present on the Russian market since 1995, first selling products without a brand (Noname), and under the Palit brand since 2000. In 2005, Palit acquired the Gainward trademark and assets, forming the Palit Group holding company. An additional office was opened in Shenzhen for sales in China. Currently, Palit Group includes several trademarks and brands.

We compare this video card with a lower-level model from the same manufacturer to ensure their similarities. In fact, the only difference is one power phase.

The core is marked AD103-400, the release date is the 40th week of 2023.

On the right side of the video card you can see seats that resemble connectors for 8-pin power connectors. In fact, they are designed to connect powerful external fans in systems using professional versions of such video cards. Both gaming and professional video cards use the same GPUs, differing only in the amount of memory, configuration of work units and software.

The total number of power phases for the Palit GeForce RTX 4080 Super GamingPro OC video card is 14 (12+2).

Green indicates the core power supply circuit, red indicates the memory supply circuit. All PWM controllers are located on the reverse side of the PCB.

The uP9512R PWM controller (uPI Semiconductor) controls 12 phases of core power.

The power supply for the memory chips is controlled by the uP9529Q PWM controller (uPI Semiconductor).

The power converter uses DrMOS transistor assemblies — in this case NCP302150 (On Semi), each of which is rated at a maximum of 50 A.

Also on the back of the board there is a uP5650Q (uPI Semi) controller, which is responsible for monitoring the card (monitoring voltages and temperatures).

The task of controlling the backlight is assigned to the Holtek controller.

The standard memory frequency corresponds to the reference one, the Boost core frequency is 2.2% higher than the reference one, and the maximum core frequency is only slightly higher than the reference one. As a result of tests in games, the performance increase compared to the reference card averaged 2%.

The power consumption of the Palit card in tests reached 302 W, with a peak value of 329 W.

The power consumption limit of this card can be raised to 103%. I manually overclocked, increasing the power limit to the maximum, and reached frequencies of 2895/25616 MHz, which provided an average increase in performance in games at 4K resolution by almost 4% relative to reference values. The card's power consumption increased to 309 W, peaking at 312 W.

Power is supplied to the Palit card via a 16-pin PCIe 5.0 connector (12VHPWR).

The card is supplied with an adapter for such a connector from two ordinary 8-pin ones (well known to everyone).

Despite the relatively low power consumption of this card, it is recommended to use a full ATX 3.0 power supply with a 12VHPWR connector and a cable suitable for newer generations of video cards with 16 pins.

Let us note the significant dimensions of this model, especially its thickness: 6.3 cm. This leads to the fact that the video card occupies 4 slots in the system unit.

The GeForce RTX 4080 Super video card does not support multi-graphics configuration via SLI technology and does not have a special connector on the top end for this purpose.

The operation of the card is controlled using the specialized ThunderMaster program.

We observe the presence of a cooler with direct air flow through the rear of the radiator. The basis of the cooling system is a large multi-section nickel-plated radiator with heat pipes that distribute heat throughout the radiator.

The heat pipes are soldered to a large nickel-plated copper plate, which cools both the core and memory chips through thermal pads. To cool the VRM power converters, a separate sole is provided on a massive frame, which is attached to the radiator and also serves to strengthen the entire structure.

The backplate serves as PCB protection and is integrated into the overall design concept.

Above the radiator there is a casing with three fans with a diameter of 100 mm. Each fan has 9 blades and operates at the same speed (by default), but through the ThunderMaster program you can configure the operation of the central and two outer fans separately.

The radiator fins are made using Y Formula Fins technology, where each fin has a different rotation angle, optimized for better airflow. This design not only improves the heat transfer process, but also significantly increases the surface area for heat exchange.

The fans stop at low load on the video card if the GPU temperature drops below 50 degrees and the memory chip temperature drops below 80 degrees. When you start the computer, the fans start working, but after loading the video driver, the operating temperature is checked and they automatically turn off.

After a two-hour test under maximum load, the maximum core temperature did not exceed 67 degrees Celsius (the highest point was 78 degrees Celsius), and the temperature of the memory chips was 66 degrees Celsius. This is an excellent result for a video card of this level. The card's power consumption reached 302 W. Let us remind you that the safe temperature limit for GDDR6X memory is 105 degrees Celsius.

During manual overclocking, the heating and noise parameters remained virtually unchanged (67/78/66 °C), the maximum consumption increased to 309 W (up to 312 W at peak).

We filmed and sped up 50 times the 8-minute warm-up

The maximum heating was observed in the central part of the PCB and at the PCIe and power connectors.

Do not forget that the heat generated by the card remains inside the system unit, so using a case with good ventilation is highly desirable.

The noise measurement technique involves the use of a soundproofed and attenuated room with minimal reverberation. The system unit in which the video card noise is measured does not have built-in fans and is not a source of mechanical noise. The background noise level is 18 dBA — this is the total noise in the room and the level of the sound level meter itself. Measurements are taken at a distance of 50 cm from the video card at the level of the cooling system.

Measurement modes include:

1. Idle mode in 2D: the system is loaded with an Internet browser with the site iXBT.com, a Microsoft Word window and several Internet communicators.
2. 2D Movie Mode: Uses SmoothVideo Project (SVP) for hardware decoding with intermediate frame insertion.
3. 3D mode with maximum load on the video card: FurMark test is performed.

The noise level is assessed as follows:

• less than 20 dBA: relatively silent
• 20 to 25 dBA: very quiet
• from 25 to 30 dBA: quiet
• from 30 to 35 dBA: clearly audible
• from 35 to 40 dBA: loud, but tolerable
• above 40 dBA: very loud

In 2D idle mode, the temperature did not exceed 35 °C, the fans did not spin, and the noise level was consistent with the background level of 18 dBA.

When watching a movie with hardware decoding, nothing changed.

At maximum load in 3D, temperatures reached 67/76/66 °C (core/hot spot/memory). The fans ran at a maximum speed of 1393 rpm, resulting in a noise level of 28.7 dBA — that's quiet.

Backlight modes are controlled, including turning it off, using the ThunderMaster utility.

It is also possible to save the selected mode on the map itself. This means that after setting the backlight once using the program, the user does not have to run it again.

It is also possible to use the cable supplied by the manufacturer to synchronize the backlight with the motherboard. This allows you to control the backlight using the motherboard utility.

Note that the card will automatically recognize the connection of the specified cable, and the backlight will be synchronized by default, without the need to launch the ThunderMaster utility.

This model (and several others from Palit) offers a feature that may be of interest to modding enthusiasts.

This is the “Maker” concept, which allows you to create your own CO housing design.

Owners of GeForce RTX 40 video cards from the entire GamingPro series can download casing design samples from the Palit website.

Moreover, you can add something of your own, change the template, be creative, save it as projects, then take them to 3D printing or print them on your 3D printer, then color them...

Then you just need to unscrew the four screws on the front cover, remove the holders and install your version of the casing.

In addition to the card itself, the package includes a power adapter and a cable for synchronizing the backlight with the motherboard (the manufacturer did not include a collapsible stand in the kit).

The Palit GeForce RTX 4080 Super GamingPro OC (16 GB) is the flagship graphics card that ranks second in the current lineup and is slightly superior to the GeForce RTX 4080. It is intended to replace the GeForce RTX 4080 and occupy a position higher than the GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Super.

The maximum power consumption of the card is up to 302 W. The cooling system is highly efficient, powerful and at the same time operates almost silently. Due to consumption restrictions, overclocking does not provide significant benefits. The dimensions of the model are 33 cm in length and 13 cm in height, and the thickness of the card occupies 4 slots in the case. Video outputs include 3 DisplayPorts and 1 HDMI port, which is standard.

Palit GeForce RTX 4080 Super GamingPro OC offers a 16-pin PCIe 5.0 power connector. The kit includes an adapter adapter for connecting PCIe 2.0, but it is recommended to use ATX 3.0 power supplies with PCIe 5.0 support for reliable operation. The power adapter must be used without bending directly after the 16-pin connector.

The GamingPro series features stylish lighting that can sync with the motherboard and also offers the option of replacing the plastic cooler shroud. Using the Author concept and suggested 3D design models, you can create a unique card look using a 3D printer and paints.

The manufacturer provides a 3-year warranty on the card.

The GeForce RTX 4080 Super is great for gaming at resolutions up to 4K with high graphics settings, both without and with ray tracing enabled, even without DLSS support.

The card supports HDMI 2.1 for 4K output at 120 FPS or 8K resolution, as well as hardware decoding of AV1 video data and RTX IO technology for fast data transfer directly to the GPU. However, DisplayPort support is limited to version 1.4a, which puts the GeForce slightly behind competitors in the Radeon RX 7000 family that support DisplayPort 2.1 UHBR13.5.