ASUS GeForce RTX 5080 Prime EVO 16GB GDDR7

The ASUS PRIME GeForce RTX 5080 EVO posts a PassMark G3D score of 35,666, putting it in the 94th percentile for raster performance, and it absolutely crushes 4K gaming. The 16GB of GDDR7 at 960 GB/s and 10,752 CUDA cores make it a powerhouse, but the 18th percentile affordability ranking means you'll pay dearly for the privilege. If you've got the cash, it's a fantastic upgrade. If not, the price spread of $1,500 to $2,500 in the US alone should give you pause.

Let's talk raw numbers. The RTX 5080 EVO packs 10,752 CUDA cores, 336 Tensor cores, and 84 RT cores, with a boost clock of 2,655MHz in default mode and 2,685MHz in OC mode. That's a lot of silicon, and it shows. The PassMark G3D score of 35,666 puts it well above average for raster performance, and our ray tracing score of 98.3 out of 100 makes it one of the best on the market for RT workloads. The 16GB of GDDR7 memory running at 960 GB/s means you won't hit VRAM bottlenecks at 4K in most titles, though the 89th percentile VRAM ranking suggests there are cards with more headroom if you're doing heavy AI or production work.

Compute performance is equally strong. The card pushes 56.28 FP32 TFLOPS and 56.28 FP16 TFLOPS, which lands it in the 93rd percentile for compute in our database. AI performance is rated at 1,801 AI TOPS, which is impressive but sits at the 85th percentile, so it's a standout but not the absolute best for AI workloads. The 360W TDP is manageable, and the triple-fan Axial-Tech design with MaxContact and a phase-change thermal pad keeps things cool under load. Owners consistently report cool thermals, and the 92nd percentile thermal ranking backs that up. The 2.5-slot design at 304mm length also means it fits in more compact builds than some of the chunkier 5080 variants.

Against the Gigabyte AORUS GV-N5080AORUS M-16GD, the ASUS PRIME holds its own on raw performance but trades blows on cooling and aesthetics. The AORUS tends to run slightly cooler with its beefier cooler design, but the ASUS PRIME's 2.5-slot form factor gives it an edge for smaller builds. The MSI Ventus RTX 5070 Ti 16G VENTUS 3X PZ OC is a step down in raw power, with fewer CUDA cores and lower clock speeds, but it's also significantly cheaper, making it the smarter buy if you're gaming at 1440p instead of 4K. The ZOTAC APOCALYPSE ZT-B50800C-10P is another 5080 variant that competes closely on specs, but the ASUS PRIME's build quality and thermal solution give it a slight edge in our testing. The Sapphire NITRO+ 11322-01-40G is an AMD card, so it's a different beast entirely, but if you're considering it, you're probably looking at raster performance per dollar, and the ASUS PRIME wins on ray tracing and DLSS 4 support. The PNY ARGB OC VCG508016TFXXPB1-O is a solid alternative with similar specs, but the ASUS PRIME's cooler design and SFF-ready form factor make it the more versatile choice for compact builds.

Here's where things get tricky. The RTX 5080 EVO is a phenomenal performer, but the value story depends entirely on where you buy it. US listings range from $1,500 to $2,500, which is a $1,000 spread for the exact same card. That's not a small difference, and it means some retailers are charging a massive premium for no reason. Canadian buyers face an even wider gap, with prices running from CAD 2,999 to CAD 5,200, a CAD 2,201 difference. If you're shopping in the US, the lower end of that range is where this card makes sense. At $1,500, you're getting near-flagship performance for a lot less than a 5090. At $2,500, you're paying too much, and you should look elsewhere or wait for prices to settle. The card's 18th percentile affordability ranking confirms what the price tags already tell you: this is a luxury purchase, not a budget pick.

The ASUS PRIME GeForce RTX 5080 EVO posts a PassMark G3D score of 35,666, which lands it in the 94th percentile for raster performance in our database. That's a serious number, and it translates to a card that chews through 4K gaming without breaking a sweat. The 16GB of GDDR7 on a 256-bit bus pushes 960 GB/s of bandwidth, so texture-heavy titles and high refresh rate monitors won't leave this thing gasping. Our internal scoring puts it at 99.3 out of 100 overall, with 1440p gaming at 98.6 and ray tracing at 98.3. Those are top-of-the-charts numbers, plain and simple.

But here's the thing. This card sits in the 18th percentile for affordability, and the price spread tells the story. US listings run from $1,500 to $2,500, and Canadian buyers are looking at anywhere from CAD 2,999 to CAD 5,200. That's a huge gap depending on where you shop. The performance is undeniably there, but you're paying a premium for it, and not every buyer needs to. If you're coming from an older GPU and want a massive 4K upgrade, this card delivers. If you're pinching pennies, the math gets uncomfortable fast.

If you're gaming at 1440p or lower, this card is overkill, and you're paying a premium for performance you won't fully use. The 18th percentile affordability ranking is no joke, and with US prices ranging from $1,500 to $2,500, you could grab a 5070 Ti and still have cash left over for a monitor upgrade. The efficiency ranking of 58th percentile also means this card draws real power, so if you're running a smaller PSU or care about energy costs, look elsewhere. And if you're doing serious AI or LLM work, the 80.4 out of 100 AI score and 85th percentile AI ranking suggest there are better options for that specific workload. This card is a gaming beast, not an AI workstation card.

The ASUS PRIME GeForce RTX 5080 EVO is a top-tier 4K gaming card with the numbers to prove it. A PassMark G3D score of 35,666 and a 98.3 ray tracing score put it among the best GPUs we've tested, and the 16GB of GDDR7 at 960 GB/s means it won't choke on modern titles. Owners love the cool thermals and overclocking headroom, and the 2.5-slot design is a genuine advantage for SFF builds. But the price is a real hurdle. With US listings ranging from $1,500 to $2,500 and Canadian prices hitting CAD 5,200 at the high end, this card demands a serious financial commitment. If you have the budget and want a massive 4K upgrade without jumping to a 5090, this is a fantastic choice. If you're stretching your wallet, the value just isn't there, and you'd be better served by a 5070 Ti or waiting for prices to normalize.