NVIDIA has decided to revert its 12GB RTX 4080 GPU launch after the card received a significant amount of backlash. The graphics card is expected to return again in the future but with a new name.
NVIDIA RTX 4080 GPUs were Released Under Two Variants, the 12GB and 16GB
According to the story by Pocket Lint, the announcement for the NVIDIA RTX 4080 GPUs was released in September. As per the announcement, there were two variations: the 12GB and 16GB RAM options.
The 12GB NVIDIA RTX 4080 was priced at $899, while the 16GB NVIDIA RTX 4080 was priced at $1199, as noted in an article by PCGamesN. However, RAM was not the only difference between the two models, and this was the cause of the backlash the company received.
12GB Variant Differs Greatly Compared to the 16GB Variant
Despite both GPUs bearing the RTX 4080 brand, the 12GB variant was described as inferior to the 16GB variant due to its specs. The difference between the two GPUs showed that they were very different despite bearing the same 4080 names.
With the price difference, fans were unhappy that the 12GB 4080 did not live up to its 16GB version. This was the cause of the backlash that ultimately led to NVIDIA's decision to revert its decision regarding the graphics cards.
Difference Between the NVIDIA RTX 4080 GPUs:
Cores
12GB NVIDIA RTX 4080 - 7,680 CUDA cores
16GB NVIDIA RTX 4080 - 9,728 CUDA cores
Tensor-TFLOPs
12GB NVIDIA RTX 4080 - 639
16GB NVIDIA RTX 4080 - 780
RT-TFLOPs
12GB NVIDIA RTX 4080 - 92
16GB NVIDIA RTX 4080 - 113
Shader-TFLOPs
12GB NVIDIA RTX 4080 - 40
16GB NVIDIA RTX 4080 - 49
Clock speed
12GB NVIDIA RTX 4080 - 2.31 GHz base clock speeds
16GB NVIDIA RTX 4080 - 2.21 GHz base clock speeds
Boosted clock speed
12GB NVIDIA RTX 4080 - 2.61 GHz
16GB NVIDIA RTX 4080 - 2.51 GHz
NVIDIA Agreed that the 12GB Variant Should Not be Called the RTX 4080
The difference between the two GPUs meant that the 12GB should not have been called an RTX 4080, and NVIDIA agreed with this thought. The RTX 4080 12GB is a good GPU per the company, but it does not bear the right name.
The company also acknowledged that having two different RTX 4080 designations is confusing, so they have decided to pause the release of the 12GB version. To be clear, the company will still be launching the release of the RTX 4080 in the future but with a new name down the line.
Confirmed Launch Date for the 16GB NVIDIA RTX 4080 Variant
As for the 16GB version of the NVIDIA RTX 4080, the card is expected to continue with its launch. The GPU is set to come to market by November 16, 2022.
With NVIDIA's change in the decision regarding the RTX 4080 12GB version, there is still no knowing when the new GPU might launch or under what name it would be launching with.
Related Article: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080, 4090 is Here-Price, Specs, and MORE
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Written by Urian B.