Deciding Between GTX 1080 Ti and 2080 Ti: Budget Performance Considerations

When your budget is limited to $200 for an entire PC, purchasing high-end graphics cards like the NVIDIA GTX 1080 Ti or 2080 Ti becomes challenging. However, understanding the nuances between these two GPUs can help you make a more informed decision. Here’s a detailed comparison and advice on how to proceed with your budget in mind.

Why Can't I Buy a GTX 1080 Ti or 2080 Ti?

Given your budget of $200, it is unlikely that you will be able to purchase either the GTX 1080 Ti or the GTX 2080 Ti. These high-performance graphics cards typically retail for much higher prices, often exceeding your budget limit, especially in the used market. Even used cards may be difficult to find at such a price point.

Comparison between GTX 1080 Ti and GTX 2080 Ti

GTX 1080 Ti:

Released in 2017, it offers strong performance for 1440p gaming. Still capable for many modern games at high settings. Tends to be cheaper than the 2080 Ti in the used market.

GTX 2080 Ti:

Released in 2018, it provides better performance than the 1080 Ti. Strong in ray-tracing scenarios and 4K gaming. More expensive and harder to find at a lower price.

Recommendations

Consider the Used Market: If you are set on getting a GTX 1080 Ti or 2080 Ti, consider saving more money to increase your budget to around $300-$400. This might allow you to find a good deal on a used card. However, remember that used cards often come with fewer guarantees and can be more risky. Explore Alternatives: Look for older or less powerful graphics cards like the GTX 1060 or GTX 1070 that might fit within your budget. These cards offer decent performance for less and can still satisfy your gaming needs. Build Costs: Remember that your budget of $200 covers only the graphics card. You will also need to account for other components such as the CPU, motherboard, RAM, storage, and a power supply. Ensure that these additional components do not exceed your budget.

Additional Advice

If you can afford it, the 2080 is generally a better buy. However, it depends on the pricing. If you can find a 1080 Ti for around $750-$800 brand new, consider purchasing it. Otherwise, it might be worth getting a brand new 2080 for around $800. Buying a used card with little to no warranty is not recommended if you can purchase a brand new card for a similar price with a three-year warranty.

The MSI RTX 2080 Gaming X Trio is recommended as an excellent overclocker and offers a great visual design.

Another option suggested is a much more generous PC build, including an Intel i9-9900K and 64GB RAM, while only spending $200 on the graphics card. This setup would be perfect in your budget and leave room for additional hardware.

Building a high-end PC in a limited budget requires careful consideration of each component and stability. If you need more specific advice or help with specific components, feel free to ask!