ServeTheHome’s September 2019 review found NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER Founders Edition faster than the original RTX 2080 but behind the RTX 2080 Ti in its tested workloads. The card paired 8 GB of memory with a measured 250-watt full-load draw in the review’s test setup. Those are historical results—not a current ranking or buying recommendation—and the review’s workstation conclusions depend on workload, memory needs, and multi-card cooling.
What ServeTheHome tested—and what its results mean
William Harmon’s review evaluated the RTX 2080 SUPER Founders Edition in compute, graphics, rendering, power, and cooling tests. Its platform included an ASUS WS C621E SAGE motherboard, two Intel Xeon Gold 6134 processors, 192 GB of Micron memory, a Samsung PM961 1 TB SSD, and Windows 10 Pro Workstation. Because the system used server-class Xeon CPUs, its results should be compared with other runs using compatible methods and platforms, not treated as a universal measure of gaming or workstation performance.
The review covered Geekbench 4 compute, LuxMark’s OpenCL benchmark based on LuxRender, AIDA64 GPGPU OpenCL workloads, hashcat64 GPU password hashing, SPECviewperf 13 application graphics tests, and rendering. ServeTheHome said it retained fresh out-of-box results in its comparison graphs rather than silent or overclocked results. Read the compute benchmark discussion with those methodological limits in mind.
Performance: between the RTX 2080 and RTX 2080 Ti in this review
Across the comparisons it reported, the 2080 SUPER landed above the outgoing RTX 2080 and below the RTX 2080 Ti. That summarizes this review’s results; it does not establish how the card ranks against newer GPUs, nor does it predict performance in every application. GPU compute, rendering, and professional graphics workloads can respond differently to software, drivers, CPU platform, and available video memory.
#1 Best Overall
- Powered by NVIDIA Turing with 3072 CUDA Cores and overclocked 8GB GDDR6 256-bit memory
- Supports up-to 4 Monitors with 3x DisplayPort 1. 4 and 1x HDMI 2. 0 ports
- Dual Axial-Tech 0db Fans increase airflow through the heatsink and boasts IP5X dust-resistance
- Protective Backplate features a durable aluminum construction to prevent PCB flex and trace damage
- GPU Tweak II makes monitoring performance and streaming in real time easier than ever, and includes additional software like Game Booster, XSplit Gamecaster, WTFast and QuantumCloud
NVIDIA listed a 1815 MHz boost clock and 15.5 Gbps GDDR6 memory, with 496.1 GB/s of memory bandwidth. These are manufacturer specifications, not ServeTheHome benchmark findings. NVIDIA described the boost clock as 105 MHz higher than the original RTX 2080. The review also discussed a 1650 MHz GPU clock and boost up to 1815 MHz in its GPU-Z coverage. See NVIDIA’s 2019 launch announcement for the manufacturer’s specifications and launch context.
VRAM is a key workstation distinction
The reviewed RTX 2080 SUPER has 8 GB of memory, compared with 11 GB on the RTX 2080 Ti discussed in the article. That capacity gap can matter when a project’s scene, dataset, or model needs more GPU memory than the card can provide; faster processing does not make a workload fit in insufficient VRAM. For applications that fit within 8 GB, the SUPER may still be a viable compute or rendering option, but ServeTheHome’s review does not establish that it is the better current purchase.
The review framed workstation choice around price/performance and memory capacity: use one RTX 2080 SUPER, step up to an RTX 2080 Ti, or consider two RTX 2080 SUPER cards. Two GPUs only help when the application can use multiple devices effectively, and their combined memory should not be assumed to act as one larger pool. The review’s price comparisons date to 2019; they are not present-day value guidance.
Rank #2
- Chipset: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Super
- Boost Clock: 1830 MHz
- Video Memory: 8GB GDDR6
- Memory Interface: 256-bit
- Output: DisplayPort x 3 (V1.4)/ HDMI 2.0B x 1
Founders Edition dimensions, outputs, and power connections
The physical details below apply to the Founders Edition sample reviewed by ServeTheHome, not every partner-board RTX 2080 SUPER. Board partners may use different dimensions, cooling systems, and connectors.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute| Feature | Reviewed Founders Edition |
|---|---|
| Form factor and cooling | Dual-slot, dual-fan design |
| Dimensions | 10.5 inches long by 4.556 inches tall |
| Display outputs | Three DisplayPort 1.4, one HDMI 2.0b, and USB-C |
| Auxiliary power | One 8-pin and one 6-pin connector |
Check the exact card’s measurements against the case clearance and slot layout, and confirm that the power supply has the correct connectors and capacity. Do not assume an adapter or cable is suitable without checking its compatibility with both the specific GPU and PSU. The review’s specifications and test setup provide its sample details.
Power and cooling in ServeTheHome’s test
Using AIDA64 to stress the GPU and HWiNFO to monitor it, ServeTheHome recorded 250 watts at full load and 14 watts at idle. These figures describe its 2019 test setup and measurement approach, not guaranteed consumption for every workload or partner model. They are also not a substitute for checking the board maker’s PSU guidance.
Rank #3
- Chipset: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080
- Video Memory: 8GB GDDR6
- Memory Interface: 256-bit
- Max. Resolution: Support 4x Display Monitors
- Input: 2x 8pin PCI-E Power Connectors
The review describes the Founders Edition’s dual-fan arrangement as exhausting hot air out the back. For denser multi-card configurations it points to blower-style designs as a possible fit, but airflow, temperatures, and exhaust behavior depend on the particular card and chassis. The power, cooling, and final discussion covers its configuration observations.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Historical launch context—not a current price verdict
NVIDIA announced the RTX 2080 SUPER at a starting price of $699 and said it would be available beginning July 23, 2019. That was the manufacturer’s launch pricing and availability, not a current retail price. The review’s value comparisons should likewise be read as period-specific: current availability, condition, warranty, and pricing have not been established here.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
