Your PC in instalments (up to 12x)
By the FlowUP team, gaming PC builder in Genappe (Belgium) · Updated 29 September 2026
In short: the RTX 4080 remains a very good card in 2026: in rasterisation, it matches the RTX 5070 Ti (117.5 vs 116.8 average FPS at 1440p on Tom's Hardware). But it was replaced by the RTX 50 at the start of 2025, and it doesn’t benefit from the DLSS 4 multi-frame generation, which is reserved for the RTX 50. So, brand new, it’s no longer interesting compared with a 5070 Ti or a RTX 5080, which is about 9% faster. Second-hand, it holds its own if its price is significantly lower than a brand-new 5070 Ti.
The RTX 4080 in 2026: where does it stand?
Released in late 2022 for $1,199, the GeForce RTX 4080 was followed in January 2024 by the RTX 4080 SUPER, a little faster and launched at $999. Both are based on the Ada Lovelace architecture, with 16 GB of GDDR6X. In early 2025, NVIDIA introduced the RTX 50 generation (Blackwell): the RTX 5080 in January, the RTX 5070 Ti in February.
Today, you mostly find used RTX 4080s or in refurbished PCs. So the question is no longer “should you invest in a 4080?”, but “does a used 4080 work out better than a new RTX 50?”.
In 2026, the RTX 4080 is mainly compared with the RTX 5070 Ti and the RTX 5080.
RTX 4080, RTX 5070 Ti or RTX 5080: performance
| Graphics card | 1440p ultra | 4K ultra | 1440p ray tracing | US launch price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RTX 4080 (16 GB) | 117.5 FPS | 67.5 FPS | 68.4 FPS | $1,199 (2022) |
| RTX 4080 SUPER (16 GB) | 118.6 FPS | 69.4 FPS | 69.5 FPS | $999 (2024) |
| RTX 5070 Ti (16 GB) | 116.8 FPS | 68.6 FPS | 66.2 FPS | $749 (2025) |
| RTX 5080 (16 GB) | 128.3 FPS | 77.4 FPS | 74.0 FPS | $999 (2025) |
| RX 9070 XT (16 GB) | 116.5 FPS | 65.8 FPS | Not measured here | $599 (2025) |
Source: Tom's Hardware, graphics card ranking (averages in rasterisation on 11 games and in ray tracing, without upscaling), updated 24 June 2026 and viewed on 29 September 2026. US launch prices excluding tax.
The numbers speak clearly: the RTX 4080 and the RTX 5070 Ti are on the same level, in rasterisation and in ray tracing (the 4080 even keeps a slight edge in ray tracing). The RTX 5080 takes about 9% at 1440p and 15% at 4K. What these averages don’t show is DLSS 4: on the RTX 50, multi-frame generation can display up to three generated frames per rendered frame, whereas the RTX 4080 is limited to one. In supported games, the difference in perceived smoothness becomes important.
Should you still buy an RTX 4080?
- Brand new: no. At the same performance level, a new RTX 5070 Ti launched at a far lower price and brings the full DLSS 4 and better efficiency.
- Second-hand: yes, at the right price. If a used RTX 4080 or 4080 SUPER costs a lot less than a new 5070 Ti, then it’s a good deal for 1440p and 4K with DLSS. Check the condition, the history and the remaining warranty.
- For 4K: go for the RTX 5080. It’s the only one of the three to exceed an average of 75 FPS in native ultra 4K, and DLSS 4 does the rest.
When it comes to the power supply, NVIDIA recommends 750 W for an RTX 4080 or an RTX 5070 Ti, and 850 W for an RTX 5080, for a complete setup. See how to choose your power supply.
Today, our high-end PCs are built with RTX 50.
To compare the entire range, read are the RTX 50 worth the cost?, our article 4K gaming PC and the guide how to choose your graphics card in 2026.
Our PCs at the level of an RTX 4080 or higher
Rainbow V2 PC: RTX 5070 Ti
The performance of an RTX 4080, with DLSS 4 and its multi-frame generation.
Solana PC: RTX 5080
RTX 5080 16GB, Ryzen 5 7500X3D or Ryzen 7 9800X3D, and DDR5: 4K with DLSS 4 and 1440p at very high FPS.
Orion PC: RTX 5080 and Ryzen X3D
RTX 5080 and Ryzen 7 X3D in a HYTE Y60 case: 4K and high FPS without compromise.
FAQ: RTX 4080
Is the RTX 4080 still good in 2026?
Yes. It matches the RTX 5070 Ti in rasterisation and ray tracing, and remains comfortable at 1440p and 4K with DLSS.
RTX 4080 or RTX 5070 Ti?
Same level of raw performance. Brand new, the 5070 Ti wins: lower launch price and the DLSS 4 multi-frame generation. Second-hand, the 4080 holds its own if it’s significantly cheaper.
RTX 4080 or RTX 5080?
The RTX 5080 is about 9% faster at 1440p and 15% at 4K, with full DLSS 4. For a new purchase aimed at 4K, it’s the best choice.
Does the RTX 4080 have DLSS 4?
It makes use of the DLSS 4 image improvements (super resolution and reconstruction), but not multi-frame generation, which is reserved for RTX 50. It remains limited to generating a single frame.
What power supply for an RTX 4080?
NVIDIA recommends a 750 W power supply for a complete setup (850 W for an RTX 5080).
