NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 design leaks, and it's ... not pretty

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Ti
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Ti (Image credit: Harish Jonnalagadda / Windows Central)

What you need to know

  • Leaked images reveal what is potentially the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080.
  • The leak shows off a bulky card that focuses on heat dissipation over attractiveness.
  • The leaked card could also be an early version of the card sent out to brand partners.

Some have complained about the card's size and design. It's worth pointing out that this could be a card made available early to partners, and that it doesn't reflect the final design of the GeForce RTX 3080. If it is indicative of the final design, some might be unhappy with its large size. The card seems to prioritize heat dissipation over esthetics. Powering a card as powerful as the GeForce RTX 3080 will likely create a lot of heat, and NVIDIA will likely have to prioritize fans and heat dissipation over making sure the card looks good in cases with glass siding.

If rumors are correct, the GeForce RTX 3080 is a powerhouse of a graphics card that will surpass the current best graphics cards as well as the upcoming PS5 and Xbox Series X. It's reportedly made on NVIDIA's Ampere architecture, making it part of the first wave of cards made using that architecture. With a card putting out that much power, heat dissipation being a priority isn't a surprise.

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Chiphell

Source: Chiphell (Image credit: Source: Chiphell)

Confirmed details about the GeForce RTX 3080 are scarce, though it's probably safe to assume we'll see a jump in performance when compared to the current line of RTX 20xx series cards.

Sean Endicott
News Writer and apps editor

Sean Endicott is a news writer and apps editor for Windows Central with 11+ years of experience. A Nottingham Trent journalism graduate, Sean has covered the industry’s arc from the Lumia era to the launch of Windows 11 and generative AI. Having started at Thrifter, he uses his expertise in price tracking to help readers find genuine hardware value.

Beyond tech news, Sean is a UK sports media pioneer. In 2017, he became one of the first to stream via smartphone and is an expert in AP Capture systems. A tech-forward coach, he was named 2024 BAFA Youth Coach of the Year. He is focused on using technology—from AI to Clipchamp—to gain a practical edge.