No doubt that in a few weeks we will have the RTX 40 in our hands and we will be able to check its power. However, while waiting for the presentation of the future GeForce, rumors about its specifications and the different models are coming out of the gossip. The last? which we will most likely see two versions of the RTX 4080, a 16 GB and a 12 GB. Is it possible?
There is usually a relationship between the GPU and graphics chip model and the memory configuration used. Since the interfaces that communicate the GPU with the VRAM are located outside its perimeter. Thus, the lower the specifications, the lower the interface and the smaller the amount of memory. Does it make sense to see disparate configurations? Well yes, but they are usually sold in different designs and this is usually done by removing the memory chips from the board. Are we really going to see different configurations for the RTX 4080?
¿RTX 4080 16 GB and RTX 4080 12 GB?
The amount of memory also indicates the number of chips and therefore the bandwidth, since in the case of GDDR6 and GDDR6X each of them has a 32-bit bus. So for a 12GB RTX 4080 card at 2GB per chip, that’s a 192-bit bus compared to the 256-bit the 16GB model would have. That’s an advantage 33% bandwidth reduction, as long as the memory speed is the same. As if that were not enough, it is likely that the differences do not end there, since we would also be talking about two different PCBs and, therefore, two different graphics card models. The first consists of 10 layers and the second of 12. Which is usually done when we have two different chips.
Let’s not forget that a few months ago, through the hack made at NVIDIA, the almost final specifications of its RTX 40 leaked, in particular of the various chips. In them we could see, in addition to the already known 144-core AD102, also models with lower specifications. Among those that stood out were the AD103 with a 256-bit bus and 84 total cores, and the AD104 with a 192-bit interface and 60 cores. If the rumor is true, it would mean that NVIDIA has decided to rebrand the potential RTX 4070 to RTX 4080 12GB. Something brand new. In any case, it wouldn’t be the first time that NVIDIA has offered specific models and then discarded them or launched them later in time.
First image of the graphics card?
During these days he also fled the first possible image of the RTX 4080, whose design is very reminiscent of the current RTX 30. Which shouldn’t surprise us since everything indicates that only cards using the AD102 will need the high power consumption provided by the new 12+4 pin connector. So this model must be between 325 W and 375 W. In any case, it should outperform the entire line of current cards, including the RTX 3090 Ti.
In any case, it could be a 3D print or a modified version of the RTX 3080 made with a 3D printer. The fact that it is covered with a plastic to make it difficult to see the type of plastic that covers the card seems suspicious to us. In any case, it shouldn’t be long before we finally get to see them and see how NVIDIA intends to continue dominating the market for another generation.
