Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Founders Edition (Ampere)

[Xlucine]

I've got a question about your testing methodology -

You mention your test setup uses a Fractal Design Define 7 Clear Tempered Glass case. I notice that case has a flexible design of the roof section and can be either closed or open.

The founders edition has a unique fan design where one fan will blow air directly toward the roof of the case instead of hitting the PCB and being mostly deflected.

The case setup may therefore have some impact on the cooling performance in comparison to partner cards that use a more traditional design with fans (mostly) having their airflow stopped by the PCB.

Could you tell us if the vented panel on the case is open or closed, and what setup you are using in terms of case fans, e.g. any exhaust fans in the roof?

The CPU AIO is exhausting through the case roof:
https://hexus.net/tech/features/syst...est-platforms/

[Taniniver]

The CPU AIO is exhausting through the case roof:
https://hexus.net/tech/features/syst...est-platforms/

Thanks Xlucine, that's useful info. 360mm AIO exhaust through the roof, and from the photos I also see a single rear exhaust fan and two front intake. That looks similar to my own setup except I also have two intake fans in the base (Phanteks Enthoo Primo case).

The couple of partner cards Hexus have reviewed so far (Asus GeForce RTX 3080 TUF Gaming OC and MSI GeForce RTX 3080 Gaming X Trio) both outperformed the founders edition in both temperature and noise levels.

It looks like the founders edition having that single fan blowing directly toward the roof doesn't offer significant benefit over the more traditional triple fan setup, even with a fair amount of case airflow heading out through the roof.

[Sparx]

Odd that despite the huge investment in the FE cooler - and apparent cost of $150 per cooler... That it cools 'ok' but AIBs like Asus/Gigabyte entry cards, can keep Ampere at 62-68c load. That's a huge 10c cooler!

I was dying to get the FE on launch day, obviously didn't get one like everyone else (cough notify, cough out of stock) but now I'm really trying to get my hands on either the Asus TUF or Gigabyte Eagle GPU.

[Jelman]

the FE is actually a good card this time round, nvidia seem to be getting better.

Before i would have passed over the FE but this time around it was my first choice.

[Orcworm]

Odd that despite the huge investment in the FE cooler - and apparent cost of $150 per cooler... That it cools 'ok' but AIBs like Asus/Gigabyte entry cards, can keep Ampere at 62-68c load. That's a huge 10c cooler!

I was dying to get the FE on launch day, obviously didn't get one like everyone else (cough notify, cough out of stock) but now I'm really trying to get my hands on either the Asus TUF or Gigabyte Eagle GPU.

It's a bit of a shame to be honest, for all the hype it got.

It's a great change over the usual blower style rubbish that the founders cards have to be fair, but I wish they'd have offered a 3 slot founders cooler on the 3080 at least as an option.