MSI RTX 4080 Suprim X:
The architecture:
The model we are going to test today, the MSI RTX 4080 Suprim X is a so-called “partner” card. It is a “Suprim X” model. This series, already well known in the MSI catalog, has a slightly revised design for this new generation. It has its own PCB and a cooling system developed by MSI. We are therefore on a completely different model from the NVIDIA RTX 4080 Founders Edition. This MSI RTX 4080 Suprim X should according to our information be available for a price of 1649 euros at launch.
This RTX 4080 has a GPU AD103 with 9728 CUDA cores or 512 cores less than the RTX 3080 Ti. It is equipped with a manufacturing process in 4nm from TSMC and not the 8 nm made by Samsung which allows to lower the TGP to 320 watts.
In terms of memory, there are 16 GB of GDDR6X memory in 256-bit, which translates into a bandwidth of 716.8 GB/s. The speed of this RTX 4080 should be 2 times faster than the RTX 3080 Ti according to NVIDIA while consuming less. On the next page, we will come back in details on the new features brought by this new architecture, including the support of DLSS 3.
The bundle of this Suprim X version:
So what do we find in this imposing box? As usual, MSI has taken particular care of the packaging of its card by offering a cardboard box where our copy of the MSI RTX 4080 Suprim X is hidden but not only!
Upon opening the box, we can see two elements that are added to the graphics card. First of all a mouse pad and a case support to maintain your graphics card when it is placed vertically. The principle of this support is to prevent the card and motherboard from twisting under its weight.
Finally, there is a 16-pin (12+4) to three 8-pin 150w adapters (450w in total). This adapter is necessary for those who do not have a power supply with a 16-pin (12+4) port. Please note that NVIDIA is the only supplier of the adapter and therefore provides it to its partners. We also received the 12+4-pin connector from Corsair as well as the one proposed by be quiet! which feeds directly into the power supply.
Cooling:
The idea of MSI is to offer with this “Suprim X” series the best in all respects. Let’s start with the use of high quality materials such as copper, brushed aluminum and all this while offering a perfect finish. As a reminder, we fell in love with our copy of the MSI RTX 4090 Suprim Liquid X during our test. MSI also uses an efficient and silent cooling system with two BIOS: silent and gaming.
In terms of size, the card is impressive with dimensions of 336 x 142 x 78 mm. It’s a big one when you hold it in your hands. No need to confirm that the card will occupy a width of 3.5 slots. If you want to buy it, check that the length is compatible with your case.
The board is equipped with three 95mm fans from the TORX FAN 5.0 series. They are inserted in a brushed aluminum casing cut at a 45° angle instead of the usual round cut. Each fan has 9 blades. The main change is that the fans have three blades connected at the top. This design allows the air to be better directed to the latest generation Tri Frozr 2S cooling system.
The three fans benefit from the Zero Frozr technology which allows them to be left idle when the GPU temperature is below 55°C, thus limiting noise pollution.
Radiator:
The radiator is very imposing and has been completely reworked by MSI. The idea is to reduce noise pollution by guiding the air where it will be most effective in cooling the card. The use of Wave-curved 2.0 fins in the shape of waves, allows the air to circulate in a fluid way, for a quieter cooling.
The radiator is composed of two distinct parts. One part is responsible for dissipating heat from the graphics chip, part of the power stage and bringing cool air to the memory chips. The second part concentrates on the second part of the different phases of the power supply stage while also having recourse to different thermal pads.
Particularity for this Suprim series, the memory modules benefit from a dedicated heat pipe in order to ensure the dissipation of heat, it is a good idea, now remains to be seen if it is really necessary. The heat sink is crossed by seven 6 mm copper heat pipes. The part in contact with the GPU has been machined to ensure the widest possible contact area and to dissipate the heat over the entire length of the heatsink.
The brushed aluminum backplate has a double role, stiffening the PCB and preventing it from twisting under the weight of the card but also playing a role of heatsink through the thermal pads.
A little too much backlighting?
Well, it’s true, I’m not the biggest fan of backlighting. You can define three zones. The first is on the front panel with two small inserts around the fans. The second is on the top edge where the Suprim inscription will light up as well as several transparent bars.
Finally, on the back of the card, the MSI logo also benefits from its backlight. Don’t forget that each zone can be controlled and modified via the MSI software. You can check out the pictures on page 5.
The connectors :
To power the card, we find the new 16-pin mini-connectors. As we mentioned above, NVIDIA provides in its bundle an adapter to connect three 8-pin connectors.
The card has three DisplayPort 1.4 video outputs and an HDMI 2.1 port.
