The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 is one of the well-known GPUs released by Nvidia over the years. Nowadays, it’s somewhat old and obsolete, but it certainly was an excellent and powerful card at the time of release. Like the other GTX cards, the Nvidia GeForce 1080 was quite pricey as well. Now, while many people know and recognize the GeForce 1080 as a desktop GPU, they may be unaware of the mobile version of this same card. Yes, that’s right. There is a mobile version of the GTX 1080. That is what we will be discussing in this review.
About Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 Mobile
The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 Mobile is a GPU chip for smartphones that was launched on August 15, 2016. It provides smartphone users with an immersive user experience with the help of a GPU frequency of 1557 MHz. This GPU has a processor size of 16nm with a clock speed of 10 GB/s, which offers a decent process speed.
Pros and Cons Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| High Performance | Expensive |
| Excellent Graphics Rendering | High Power Consumption |
| Good for Gaming | Older Architecture |
| Overclocking Potential | Limited Ray Tracing Capability |
| Wide Compatibility | Limited Availability (Discontinued) |
The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 Mobile – How is it Different?
The main difference between the normal GTX 1080 and its mobile version is the size and performance capability. Normally, the mobile versions of larger GPUs are made to be used in (as the name indicates) mobiles and smaller devices like laptops. As such, their sizes are smaller, and they can be lacking in performance and functionality as compared to larger cards.
In the particular case of the GeForce GTX 1080, one big difference that you can understand to get perspective is the absence of display support in the mobile version. In the normal desktop version of the GPT, there are around 4 – 5 ports in the card for connecting monitors. One of them is the standard HDMI while the others include the DisplayPort 1.4, etc.
But things aren’t like that in the mobile version. While the GPU still drives the graphics and deals with the display, it doesn’t add a whole bunch of ports to the existing ones on the laptop. Moving on in this review, we will look at the different specs of this card along with its pros and cons at the end.
The GTX 1080 Mobile Version: Specifications
In this section, we have prepared a list of some exceptional specs of the Nvidia GeForce GTX1080 mobile GPU:
Processor Specifications
The processor specifications that we’re referring to here include the technical details about the number of transistors, process size, and so on.
- Process size: 16nm
- Number of transistors: 7.2 million
- Architecture: Pascal
- Core Speed: 1566 – 1733 (Boost) MHz
- Memory bus width: 256-bit
To explain, the process size of a GPU refers to the size of the transistors on the silicon wafer of the processor. The smaller the size, the more transistors can fit onto the silicon. Subsequently, the performance of the processor gets better. Similar is the case with the number of transistors. The more transistors there are in a processor, the better it works. In the case of transistors, more is better.
Memory
After the processor details, the next important specifications we will discuss are the memory-related ones.
- Memory type: GDDR5
- Memory size: 8GB
- Bandwidth: 320 GB/s
In layman’s terms, the more memory a card has, the faster it is able to transfer data to the processor. Eight gigabytes of RAM is pretty decent, even nowadays i.e., 7 years after this card.
Clock Speeds
The clock speed of a GPU is basically the speed at which it runs. In the simplest of terms, the higher the clock speed, the faster the cores of a GPU work. And considering that, “the more, the better” is the case with clock speeds. GPUs typically have two clock speeds. One is the normal one at which the card usually runs. The other is the overclocked speed that the GPU jumps to when the performance demand rises.
The clock speed is one of the obvious places where the mobile version of the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 falls behind its desktop version. Here are the details:
- The base clock of the mobile version is 1557 MHz whereas the normal version runs at 1607 MHz.
- The overclocked speed is 1734 MHz – which we have largely found to be the same in both cards during our research.
- The memory clock speed of this futuristic and minimalistic GPU is 10 GB/s, which provides users with exceptional user experience.
What is the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 Mobile Good For?
The mobile version of the card is made for smaller devices like laptops, mobiles, etc. This alone aptly conveys the fact that it is not up for the same type of stuff as its actual desktop version. Nevertheless, considering the excellent specs – that we’ve described above – it’s safe to say that the Nvidia GTX 1080 can handle heavy software without breaking a sweat. It supports advanced rendering techniques like ray tracing, etc.
That being said, the GTX 1080 can be comfortably used for other graphics-intensive activities other than gaming (the stuff that it is largely advertised for everywhere). For example, if you happen to be a CAD designer or something, you can use the GTX 1080 for your everyday work needs without any problems.
However, the performance and efficacy of the card in running these types of software largely depend on the device it is housed in and the way it is used. For example, if you buy a small and compact laptop with this card installed in it, you will have to set up a proper airing and ventilation system to avoid heating issues. And just as heating issues can impede the performance of the GPU, the same goes for the other components in the system. Synergy is key. The GPU will run well if it has other decent components to complement it.
Should I Buy a Device with an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080?
It depends. You should keep in mind that the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 is not the cheapest card around, and the device that comes pre-equipped with it will likewise be expensive.
If you regularly deal with software and apps that require a lot of graphic processing power, you should go for such a device. But if you are just looking to buy something for everyday office use, etc., you can settle for something less powerful and costly.
The Final Note
In many online GPU reviews, you’ll find many technical specifications – many of which are not very meaningful to the less knowledgeable end consumers. While we have mentioned those for the benefit of the knowledgeable ones, our review was more geared toward explaining the utility and suitability of this card. Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 mobile makes the mobile process more efficient and faster. However, its RAM and processing speed Transfer the data quicker than you think which makes it ideal.
FAQs
Here, you will get to know some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 Mobile:
How many watts does GTX 1080 mobile support?
The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 Mobile enables users to draw the potential of 150 watts without any additional power connector.
How much resolution does GTX 1080 deliver?
Users will get a resolution of 7680×4320 on 60 Hz with the help of RGB 8-bit that will be connected to a dual DisplayPort Connector.
What technology is the GTX 1080?
The GTX 1080 comes up with two efficient technologies: high-bandwidth GDDR5X and ultra-fast FinFET technologies to provide speed and a smooth experience to users.
How much temperature does GTX 1080 execute?
Unlike other graphic cards, the Nvidia GTX 1080 mobile executes a thermal temperature of 94°C. With this capability, users will make use of their devices more excessively and get more productivity than before.
Why is the Nvidia GTX 1080 costly?
The reason behind its expense is its shortage of availability in the market due to newer GPUs and cryptocurrency mining. Users are using this GPU to operate the process of mining cryptocurrency, which also increases its price.
