MSI GeForce RTX 5080 Expert specifications and in-depth review

MSI GeForce RTX 5080 Expert

Manufacturer: MSI

The MSI GeForce RTX 5080 Expert is a high-performance graphics card designed for demanding tasks such as gaming and creative work. With a base GPU clock speed of 2295 MHz, it offers impressive speeds for handling graphically intensive applications.

Equipped with 16GB of GDDR7 VRAM, the card supports an effective memory speed of 30000 MHz and a maximum memory bandwidth of 960 GB/s. It features advanced technologies including DirectX 12 Ultimate, ray tracing support, and Intel Resizable BAR, ensuring excellent compatibility and performance for modern software and games.

Pros
  • Supports DirectX 12 Ultimate, offering compatibility with the latest gaming and graphics technologies.
  • Equipped with 16GB of GDDR7 VRAM and 960 GB/s memory bandwidth, ensuring smooth performance in memory-intensive applications.
  • Offers up to four supported displays, allowing for flexible multi-display setups.
  • Has ray tracing support, delivering realistic lighting and reflections in compatible games and applications.
  • PCIe 5.0 support ensures future-proof compatibility with next-gen motherboards and high-speed data transfer.
Cons
  • Lacks support for air-water cooling, which may limit cooling options for users needing advanced thermal management.
  • No USB-C, DVI, or mini DisplayPort outputs, limiting display connectivity options compared to more versatile GPUs.
  • No RGB lighting, which might be a downside for users who prefer visually customizable components.
Who is this for?

The MSI GeForce RTX 5080 Expert is ideal for users seeking a high-performance graphics card for gaming, content creation, and professional applications. Its 16GB of GDDR7 VRAM and high memory bandwidth make it well-suited for demanding tasks like 4K gaming, real-time rendering, and complex simulations. The card also supports ray tracing and DirectX 12 Ultimate, which are essential for users who want to experience cutting-edge visual effects and smooth performance in the latest software and games. Additionally, the multi-display support allows for flexible configurations, making it perfect for users who need multiple monitors for productivity or immersive experiences.

Who is this NOT for?

This graphics card may not be suitable for users looking for extreme customization options or compact designs. It lacks RGB lighting and does not support air-water cooling, which might be a limitation for enthusiasts or those building high-performance systems with specialized cooling setups. Additionally, its large size (319 mm in width) and lack of USB-C, DVI, or mini DisplayPort outputs could make it a poor fit for users who require more versatile connectivity or need a smaller form factor for tight spaces.

Performance:

GPU clock speed 2295 MHz
GPU turbo 2617 MHz
pixel rate 293.1 GPixel/s
floating-point performance 56.28 TFLOPS
texture rate 879.3 GTexels/s
GPU memory speed 1875 MHz
shading units 10752
texture mapping units (TMUs) 336
render output units (ROPs) 112
Has Double Precision Floating Point (DPFP)

The MSI GeForce RTX 5080 Expert delivers impressive performance with a GPU clock speed of 2295 MHz, which can boost up to 2617 MHz with GPU Turbo. It achieves a pixel rate of 293.1 GPixel/s and a floating-point performance of 56.28 TFLOPS, making it suitable for demanding tasks. The card also features a texture rate of 879.3 GTexels/s, along with 10752 shading units and 336 texture mapping units (TMUs), ensuring high-quality rendering and smooth graphics performance. It also supports Double Precision Floating Point (DPFP) for more precise calculations in professional applications.

Memory:

effective memory speed 30000 MHz
maximum memory bandwidth 960 GB/s
VRAM 16GB
GDDR version GDDR7
memory bus width 256-bit
Supports ECC memory

The MSI GeForce RTX 5080 Expert is equipped with 16GB of GDDR7 VRAM, providing ample memory for high-resolution textures and demanding applications. With an effective memory speed of 30000 MHz and a maximum memory bandwidth of 960 GB/s, it offers fast data transfer rates for smooth performance in graphically intensive tasks. The card also features a 256-bit memory bus width and supports ECC memory for enhanced data integrity and reliability.

Features:

DirectX version DirectX 12 Ultimate
OpenGL version 4.6
OpenCL version 3
Supports multi-display technology
supports ray tracing
Supports 3D
supports DLSS
has XeSS (XMX)
AMD SAM / Intel Resizable BAR Intel Resizable BAR
has LHR
has RGB lighting
supported displays 4

The MSI GeForce RTX 5080 Expert is packed with advanced features, including support for DirectX 12 Ultimate and ray tracing, which enable immersive gaming and high-quality visuals. It also supports multi-display technology, allowing for multiple screens to be connected, and offers up to four supported displays. Additionally, the card is compatible with Intel Resizable BAR and supports DLSS for enhanced performance in supported games, while also providing 3D stereoscopic support for a more dynamic visual experience.

Ports:

has an HDMI output
HDMI ports 1
HDMI version HDMI 2.1b
DisplayPort outputs 3
USB-C ports 0
DVI outputs 0
mini DisplayPort outputs 0

The MSI GeForce RTX 5080 Expert offers a versatile range of output options, including 1 HDMI 2.1b port and 3 DisplayPort outputs for seamless connectivity with multiple monitors. However, it does not include any USB-C, DVI, or mini DisplayPort outputs, providing more traditional display options. This setup supports a variety of display configurations for an immersive visual experience.

General info:

GPU architecture Blackwell
release date August 2025
Thermal Design Power (TDP) 360W
PCI Express (PCIe) version 5
semiconductor size 5 nm
number of transistors 45600 million
Has air-water cooling
width 319 mm
height 150 mm

The MSI GeForce RTX 5080 Expert is built on the Blackwell GPU architecture and features a 5 nm semiconductor size for efficient performance. With a Thermal Design Power (TDP) of 360W, it requires robust cooling solutions. The card is compatible with PCIe 5.0 and houses a total of 45.6 billion transistors, offering significant computational power. Its dimensions are 319 mm in width and 150 mm in height, though it does not support air-water cooling solutions.

Final Verdict

The MSI GeForce RTX 5080 Expert is a powerful graphics card designed for users who demand high performance in gaming and professional applications. With its impressive 16GB of GDDR7 VRAM and support for advanced features like ray tracing and DirectX 12 Ultimate, it excels in handling graphically intensive tasks. While it may not be the best fit for users looking for extensive customization or compact designs, its robust feature set and multi-display capabilities make it a strong choice for those seeking cutting-edge performance and reliability in their systems.

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