Is the EVGA GTX 1080 Ti 11GB Still Good in 2025? My Honest Take
The 11GB of VRAM is a real perk. It helps with high-resolution textures, larger photo stacks, and moderate 3D scenes. You avoid some stutter that hits 8 GB cards in certain games and creator apps. The tradeoff is power and heat. At about 250W, you need a decent PSU and airflow. EVGA’s iCX coolers help a lot on that front, which I cover below.
If you want ray tracing, DLSS, AV1, or next-gen efficiency, this card does not fit. If you want affordable 1080p performance with headroom for 1440p tuning, it is still a contender, as long as you pay the right price.
Real gaming at 1080p and 1440p, what I actually saw
At 1080p, high to ultra presets are fine across many titles from the last few years. Newer AAA games from 2024 and 2025 need a bit more care. I drop shadows, ambient occlusion, and post-process effects first. That gives smoother frame times, which matter more than peaks.
At 1440p, I stick to high for older games and medium to high for new ones. I turn down heavy screen-space effects and sometimes reduce texture quality if VRAM usage spikes with mods. For 4K, this card is a poor match for modern heavy releases. You can play older titles fine, but expect a lot of cuts on new ones.
The lack of DLSS hurts in many modern games. Upscalers like FSR help, but not every game includes them. Compared with RTX or RDNA 3 cards, you give up easy performance wins in newer engines.
Content creation with 11GB VRAM, where it helps and where it does not
The 11GB buffer still helps. Large textures, bigger timelines, and chunky RAW photo stacks feel less cramped. Modest 3D scenes and game dev prototypes benefit too. If you edit 1080p or light 1440p video, it works fine.
Where it falls behind is in AI and hardware acceleration. Newer RTX cards often speed up many creator apps and unlock AI features this card cannot run. If you do heavy 4K, complex color, AI effects, or advanced encoders, a newer GPU saves time and power.
Thermals and noise with EVGA iCX cooling
EVGA’s iCX coolers are well regarded. My sample stayed stable under long sessions, with fan noise that was present but not harsh. With clean intake filters and a reasonable fan curve, it held good temps.
If you buy used, plan to blow out dust and check pads and paste. On older units, a paste refresh can restore proper thermals, if you are comfortable doing it. Every used card has a different history, so expect some variance in noise and temps.
Power draw, size, and case airflow tips
This card pulls about 250W on its own. Pair it with at least a quality 650W PSU in a mixed system. Budget units with weak 12V rails can cause crashes under load.
It is large and heavy. A GPU support bracket helps prevent sag. For airflow, use front intake fans and top or rear exhaust. Keep cables tidy to avoid heat soak. A little airflow planning goes a long way with a 250W GPU.
Price, Value, and Better Options at the Same Budget
In November 2025, used EVGA GTX 1080 Ti cards usually land around $125 to $180 for standard air-cooled models, depending on condition. Some higher-end variants or pristine units go higher, but I would not chase them unless you know the exact history and temps. New or refurb units often list around $300 to $400, which does not make sense given modern options. The original MSRP was $699 back in 2017, so the used market is where the value lives.
At around $150 used, the 1080 Ti brings strong 1080p performance, workable 1440p with tuning, and 11GB of VRAM that still helps. The downside is power use, heat, and missing features. If you can find a modern midrange GPU at a similar price, you will get better efficiency and features, but that is not always possible in this budget. If you need performance per dollar right now, and you accept the tradeoffs, a clean used EVGA 1080 Ti remains a good stopgap.
Where it loses is at higher prices. At $300 or more, newer cards start to look far better. You gain DLSS or FSR 3 frame gen in some cases, faster encoders, lower power, and stronger ray tracing. If your budget climbs above $250, start comparing modern options instead.
What I would pay today, and what to avoid
- My target: $125 to $180 for a clean EVGA 1080 Ti with proof it works.
- What I avoid: $300+ new or refurb listings. At that price, newer GPUs beat it outright.
Quick buying tips:
- Check recent sold listings, not asking prices.
- Ask for temps under load and a short 3D test video.
- Look for artifacts, coil whine, odd fan noise, and a readable serial sticker.
- Prefer cards with stock BIOS and untouched coolers.
GTX 1080 Ti vs RTX 2070 Super and RX 7700 XT
As a rough guide:
- RTX 2070 Super is about 9 percent faster.
- RX 7700 XT is roughly 85 percent faster.
In play, that means smoother 1440p, more headroom for new games, and access to modern features. The GTX 1080 Ti’s 3DMark Time Spy score sits around 10,500 to 11,200, which puts it behind fresh midrange gear. If you want upgraded visuals and better efficiency, those newer cards feel easier to live with.
What you give up in 2025, ray tracing, DLSS, AV1, and drivers
- No DLSS. You miss one of the easiest performance boosts in modern games.
- Weak ray tracing. No RT cores, so effects are slow, and you will turn them off.
- Older encoders, no AV1 decode or encode. Streaming and capture are less efficient.
- Shorter driver runway. Pascal support continues but is not the focus.
In practice, you run lower visual settings in new titles, accept less efficient recording, and take on higher power bills for the same frames.
Who should still buy the EVGA GTX 1080 Ti 11GB
- Budget builders who play at 1080p and light 1440p, and do not care about ray tracing or DLSS.
- Esports and older AAA fans who want high settings and smooth frame times.
- Hobby editors working in 1080p, plus photo and some 3D tasks that fit in 11GB VRAM.
Skip it if you want the newest visual features, quiet and cool operation at low power, or a longer support window.
Setup and Buying Guide for a Used EVGA GTX 1080 Ti
Pre-buy checks that save headaches
Ask for:
- GPU-Z screenshots that show clocks, memory, and bus interface.
- A short stress test video, like a 3D mark run or Unigine loop, with temps on screen.
- Close photos of the PCB, screws, and connectors.
Look for bent fins, missing screws, liquid damage, or corrosion. Ask about mining use and any repairs. If local, test the display outputs and run a quick benchmark. Make sure it is not thermal throttling.
Power, cables, and port compatibility
Confirm your PSU wattage and quality. You will need the right PCIe power plugs, often two 8-pins depending on the EVGA model. Common outputs on many EVGA 1080 Ti cards include 1 Dual Link DVI-D, 1 HDMI 2.0b, and 3 DisplayPort 1.4. If you use older monitors, plan for adapters. If your case allows, add a GPU support bracket.
Drivers and settings for best results
Install the latest stable Nvidia driver that still supports Pascal. Start games at high settings at 1080p, then tune shadows, ambient occlusion, motion blur, and post-processing first. Turn off any ray tracing paths. Use built-in upscalers that do not require DLSS if the game offers them. Keep fans and case filters clean so the card holds boost clocks.
EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti — Full Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| GPU Architecture | NVIDIA Pascal |
| GPU Model | GP102-350-K1-A1 |
| Manufacturing Process | 16nm FinFET |
| CUDA Cores | 3584 |
| Base Clock | 1480 MHz (varies by EVGA model) |
| Boost Clock | 1582 MHz (reference) — up to 1700+ MHz on EVGA SC/FTW versions |
| Memory Size | 11 GB GDDR5X |
| Memory Interface Width | 352-bit |
| Memory Clock | 11010 MHz (effective) |
| Memory Bandwidth | 484 GB/s |
| Texture Units | 224 |
| ROPs (Render Output Units) | 88 |
| Transistor Count | 12 billion |
| DirectX Support | 12.1 (Feature Level 12_1) |
| OpenGL Support | 4.6 |
| Vulkan API Support | Yes |
| PCI Express Interface | PCIe 3.0 x16 |
| TDP (Thermal Design Power) | 250 Watts |
| Recommended PSU | 600 Watts minimum |
| Power Connectors | 1× 6-pin + 1× 8-pin (varies by EVGA variant) |
| Cooling System | EVGA ACX 3.0 / iCX / Hybrid / FTW3 cooling (model-dependent) |
| SLI Support | Yes (NVIDIA SLI HB Bridge) |
| VR Ready | Yes |
| NVIDIA Technologies | G-SYNC™, Ansel, GPU Boost 3.0, Vulkan, VRWorks, GameStream |
| Outputs / Ports | 3× DisplayPort 1.4, 1× HDMI 2.0b, 1× Dual-Link DVI-D |
| Maximum Digital Resolution | 7680×4320 (8K at 60Hz) |
| Multi-Monitor Support | Up to 4 displays |
| Bus Interface | PCI Express 3.0 x16 |
| Dimensions (Typical EVGA SC/FTW) | ~267 mm (10.5 in) Length |
| Slot Size | Dual Slot |
| Backplate | Yes (varies by model) |
| Cooling Type (Model Dependent) | Air / Hybrid (water + air) / Hydro Copper (full waterblock) |
| Launch Date | March 10, 2017 |
| Launch Price (Reference) | $699 USD |
| EVGA Variants | Founders Edition, SC Black, FTW3, Hybrid, Hydro Copper |
| VRAM Type | Micron GDDR5X |
| VRAM Speed | 11 Gbps |
| Texture Fill Rate | ~354.4 GT/s |
| Pixel Fill Rate | ~139.2 GP/s |
| Operating Temperature | 30–84°C typical load |
| Warranty (EVGA) | 3 Years Standard (extendable via EVGA Step-Up or registration) |
Conclusion
For the right buyer at the right price, the EVGA GTX 1080 Ti 11GB still delivers. At $125 to $180 used, you get strong 1080p performance, workable 1440p with tuned settings, and helpful 11GB VRAM. The tradeoffs are clear, higher power use, no modern AI features, and weak ray tracing. It is not a long-term 4K card, but it covers a lot of gaming today. If you find a clean EVGA unit at a fair used price, it can be a smart stopgap. Skip overpriced listings and look at newer cards if you want better features and efficiency.