The NVIDIA RTX 5080 delivers promise for high‑end 4K and 1440p gaming with DLSS 4 and Multi‑Frame Generation (MFG) support. But how fast is it, and is it worth the upgrade over RTX 4080 Super or even 4090? Below is a detailed breakdown of its gaming performance and efficiency.
🕹️ Raster Gaming Performance (Without RT or Frame Gen)
Even without advanced upscalers, the RTX 5080 delivers strong native frame rates:
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At 1440p in Dying Light 2 (Ultra, RT off), it averages around 149 FPS, closely matching RX 7900 XTX and outperforming RTX 4080 Super.
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According to rankings compiled by Tom’s Hardware, RTX 5080 achieves ~178.5 average FPS at 1440p and ~133.9 at 4K—representing ~90% of 4090’s raw speed.
These results place RTX 5080 in the top-tier 50‑class range—ideal for high‑refresh gaming.
🌟 DLSS 4 + Frame Generation (MFG) Impact
Enabling DLSS 4 and MFG unlocks huge frame‑rate gains:
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In F1 24 (1440p), RTX 5080 jumps from ~133 FPS at native to 219 FPS with frame gen.
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In titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Black Myth, Alan Wake II, Multi‑Frame Generation pushes smooth 4K gameplay above 200 FPS, with benchmarks commonly showing 5–6× speedups over baseline.
These graphics confirm that DLSS 4 + MFG transforms RTX 5080 into a powerful 4K machine (see Figure 1 & Figure 3).
🔍 Ray Tracing Performance with DLSS Off
Ray tracing results without DLSS show modest uplift:
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Metro Exodus RT Ultra at 4K: ~6% faster than RTX 4080 Super.
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Alan Wake II and Cyberpunk 2077 saw only 6–12% improvements over the 4080 Super at 4K RT settings.
RTX 5080’s RT gains are real but not transformative unless assisted by DLSS or MFG.
⚡ Power Efficiency & Performance-per-Watt
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At 4K Final Fantasy XIV, RTX 5080 delivers up to 0.75 FPS/W, edging ahead of RTX 4080 Super despite a higher power draw (~298 W vs 268 W).
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Idle GPU power is remarkably low at around 12.75 W, lower than RTX 4080, 4090, or 5090.
This makes RTX 5080 an efficient choice for high‑performance builds.
🗣️ Community & Review Sentiments
Reddit user impressions align with performance data:
“I’m able to play literally any game at 4K with MultiFrameGen ×4 and get 230+ FPS with all settings maxed out.”
Other commentary:
“You could use MFG, but then with the 5080’s base frame rate so low at 4K 120 it adds latency.”
These reinforce that frame generation transforms RTX 5080’s usability, though there may be input sensitivity concerns in competitive or fast‑paced titles.
✅ Summary Table
| Feature / Game Scenario | RTX 5080 Performance |
|---|---|
| Native raster 1440p | ~149 FPS in games like Dying Light 2 |
| Relative to RTX 4090 | ~90% at 1440p (raw performance) |
| DLSS 4 + MFG effect | Up to 5–6× frame rate increases |
| Ray Tracing (no DLSS) | ~6–12% gain over RTX 4080 Super |
| Efficiency at 4K | Top among tested GPUs (~0.75 FPS/W) |
| Idle Power | Very low (~12.75 W) |
| Best Use Case | DLSS-enabled 4K gaming with high FPS |
🔍 Visual Benchmark Breakdown
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Figure 1 (turn0image3): DLSS 4 + MFG benchmarks with major titles showing massive frame-rate uplift.
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Figure 2 (turn0image7): Multiplayer title comparison at 4K showing RTX 5080 ahead of 4080 Super and closing on 4090.
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Figure 3 (turn0image8): AI/productivity benchmarks & GPU relative scaling.
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Figure 4 (turn0image1): Dragon’s Dogma 2 RT performance at 4K, showing 5080 leading ahead of competitors.
🎯 Conclusion: Is the RTX 5080 Worth It?
The RTX 5080 delivers excellent 4K gaming capability, elevated by DLSS 4 and Multi‑Frame Generation. It operates near 4090 performance at a more accessible price, while maintaining better power efficiency.
That said, using DLSS/MFG introduces potential input latency concerns that impact competitive play. Without DLSS support, its RT gains over 4080 Super remain modest. But for cinematic 4K gaming with modern upscalers, it's a compelling pick—especially for those upgrading from the 40-series or prioritizing high FPS and visual fidelity.
