The next generation of graphics is finally here. Today NVIDIA takes the wraps off its latest Turing GPU architecture and RTX platform, which combine industry-leading gaming and VR performance with real-time ray tracing and artificial intelligence. This new standard in PC graphics is available in the GeForce RTX 2080 Ti and RTX 2080 GPUs, which we’ve deployed in ROG Strix, ASUS Dual, and ASUS Turbo cards designed for different kinds of builds. Although each one is distinct, they all amp up the cooling to help this awe-inspiring GPU reach its full potential.

Meet the new boss

Turing is all about hybrid rendering that mixes different techniques and hardware to produce the best picture. In addition to featuring a vast array of CUDA cores used for traditional rasterization, it has dedicated RT cores for ray tracing and separate Tensor cores for AI acceleration. The RT cores can be used to add ray-traced effects to rasterized scenes, while the Tensor cores speed up noise removal, allowing higher-quality lighting, shadows, and reflections in real time. Numerous games are slated to take advantage of these new capabilities, including Battlefield V, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, and Metro Exodus, just to name a few.

Among the new GeForce GPUs, the RTX 2080 Ti is the most powerful. It packs 4352 CUDA cores with a 1350MHz base clock and 1545MHz Boost frequency. The GeForce RTX 2080 still has plenty of muscle with 2944 cores, and they’re clocked even higher at 1515MHz base and 1710 Boost. Both chips are paired with loads of the latest GDDR6 memory. You get 11GB on the RTX 2080 Ti, where a 352-bit bus delivers 616GB/s of bandwidth, and 8GB on the RTX 2080, whose 256-bit interface yields 448GB/s. To put the speed of GDDR6 into perspective, consider that the last generation’s GeForce GTX 1080 Ti uses GDDR5X memory to hit 484GB/s on a 352-bit bus. The RTX 2080 comes within striking distance despite having a much narrower path to memory.

ROG Strix builds a better GeForce RTX

The Republic of Gamers has been making graphics cards for more than a decade, and our expertise shows in the new ROG Strix GeForce RTX 2080 Ti and RTX 2080. Both use a custom circuit board engineered to wring every last drop of performance from the GPU. NVIDIA’s latest GPU Boost algorithm aggressively pursues higher frequencies, but the VRM needs to be able to keep up. With up to a sweet 16 phases on the RTX 2080 Ti, the ROG Strix cards have copious power on demand for both automatic clock scaling and manual overclocking. Premium alloy chokes and solid polymer capacitors ensure the GPU is fed with pristine power.

Components are affixed with robotic precision by Auto-Extreme Technology, a fully automated production process that removes human error to achieve greater consistency. Soldering all the different parts in place typically takes two passes, but Auto-Extreme Technology uses a single pass that reduces thermal stress on the components. This approach eliminates harsh chemicals and reduces the amount of power needed for production, making the whole process more environmentally friendly. It also eliminates the sharp points from traditional through-hole components, resulting in a smoother circuit board that’s easier to handle.

Graphics cards endure accumulated physical stress that manifests in visible sagging, so we reinforced the Strix with a beefy frame that resists torsional twisting and lateral bending. The frame significantly strengthens the card’s structural integrity, which is further bolstered by the metal plate on the back.

Aura Sync RGB lighting illuminates the backplate and shroud with customizable colors and effects that are easy to synchronize with compatible components. If you prefer to strike from the shadows, stealth mode turns off the LEDs at the touch of a button, laying bare the card’s dark side. You get the best of both worlds: a personalized glow when you want it and a blacked-out look when you don’t.

Enhancing cooling from surface to system

Effective cooling is essential to sustaining high clock speeds when the action gets heavy, so we upgraded the heatsink and fans to improve thermals. Dissipating heat starts with the MaxContact surface that mates with the GPU. Precision machining produces a smoother slug with double the contact area of conventional coolers, improving thermal transfer. Heat is then distributed across a vast array of heatsink fins with 20% more surface area than the previous generation. All the extra metal is housed in a monstrous 2.7-slot design optimized for maximum cooling performance with minimal acoustic accompaniment.

The heatsink works so well on its own that the Strix can operate in complete silence for day-to-day desktop tasks and even light gaming. Our 0dB tech keeps the fans off until the GPU temperature reaches 55°C.

When they spin up, the all-new Axial-tech fans generate more airflow than the previous generation without increasing noise. We made the hub smaller to leave room for larger blades that push more air with each revolution, and we added a barrier ring that helps the fan direct air downward and hold its shape at high speed. These enhancements increase air pressure through the heatsink and allow the fan to reach higher RPMs with the same acoustic footprint. IP5X-certified dust protection seals the internals to extend the fan’s lifespan, so you can enjoy efficient cooling over the long run.

The fans on the card are only one part of a PC’s cooling, so the Strix RTX 2080 has dual FanConnect II headers compatible with standard DC and PWM system fans. Traditional case cooling is limited to reacting to CPU or motherboard temperatures, which isn’t ideal for gaming loads that stress the GPU. With FanConnect II, system cooling responds immediately to changes in both the CPU and GPU temperature, resulting in optimal cooling for all workloads.

Our GPU Tweak II helps you get the most out of your card by exposing full control over fan profiles, overclocking settings, and even a configurable OSD. You can also toggle between predefined performance and quiet modes using a physical switch on the card. The switch shifts between BIOS profiles with different fan curves that affect how the GPU dips into Boost territory.

Plug in to next-gen displays and headsets

The awesome power of the GeForce RTX series is perfect for demanding VR experiences, so the platform is primed for the next generation of headsets. It supports the open VirtualLink standard, which combines four DisplayPort lanes, USB 3.1 Gen 2, and 27W of power delivery in a single Type-C connector that simplifies setup for future VR gear. If you want to hook up an existing headset, dual HDMI 2.0b outputs provide greater flexibility connecting a monitor or big-screen TV simultaneously.

Dual DisplayPort 1.4 outputs expand your options to include G-Sync monitors like the ROG Swift PG27UQ. With a 4K panel capable of reaching refresh rates up to 144Hz, plus support for bandwidth-hungry HDR, the PG27UQ perfectly complements the Strix GeForce RTX 2080 Ti.

Double up with the ASUS Dual

The ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 2080 Ti and RTX 2080 offer a more straightforward take on NVIDIA’s new Turing GPUs that dramatically enhances the cooling for this class of card. Like the Strix, they stretch over 2.7 slots to maximize heatsink size. Compared to their Cerberus predecessor, the total surface area has increased by over 50%.

Patented Wing-blade fans generate ample airflow over the humongous heatsink. They feature the same 0dB tech as the Strix, allowing silent operation with lighter loads, and they have the same IP5X-certified dust resistance, which protects the internals to improve long-term durability.

Built to last, the Dual RTX 2080 Ti and RTX 2080 are reinforced by an aluminum plate that protects the traces on the back of the card. Like the Strix, they’re subjected to a demanding 144-hour validation process that uses both popular games and punishing stress tests.

The new ASUS Turbo really blows

Massive heatsinks and multiple fans work well in larger cases with room to spare, but they’re not always ideal for smaller form factors and multi-GPU setups with tightly packed cards. The Turbo was created specifically for those environments, and the latest version offers a big cooling upgrade.

We subtly reshaped the shroud to improve airflow when the blower is blocked by adjacent graphics cards or case panels, raising portions to create a buffer, and angling a larger section to channel more air toward the fan intake. The rear I/O panel has also been redesigned to allow more air to flow more freely out the back of the chassis.

At 80 mm in diameter, the new fan is much larger than the 60-mm unit in the previous generation. It generates more airflow regardless of the situation and spins on dual ball bearings that double the lifespan of traditional sleeve bearings. IP5X-certified dust protection seals the mechanism against infiltration to help it last even longer.

Select models available for pre-order today

Our first GeForce RTX 2080 Ti and RTX 2080 graphics cards will start shipping in mid-September, and you can reserve yours now in select regions. Four models are available for pre-order from the North American retailers listed in the table above. The ROG Strix GeForce RTX 2080 OC Edition is priced at $869.99 USD and $1,149 CAD, while the ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 2080 OC Edition rings in at $839.99 USD and $1,099 CAD. Both are factory overclocked, as is the Dual GeForce RTX 2080 Ti OC Edition at $1,239.99 USD and $1,649 CAD. The Turbo GeForce RTX 2080 Ti runs at stock speeds for $1,209.99 USD and $1,599 CAD.

Additional models will hit shelves in the coming months, including a hot-clocked version of the ROG Strix GeForce RTX 2080 Ti. Check with your local ASUS ROG representative for details on availability and pricing in your region.