Somehow the RTX 5080 is the BEST 4K GPU for Star Citizen?! (vs 4080 and 3080)

The video compares the RTX 5080 to the RTX 4080 and 3080 for 4K gaming in Star Citizen, arguing that while the 5080 offers only a minor upgrade over the 4080, it is the best choice for the game, especially for those upgrading from the 3080. The host highlights the importance of DLSS and overclocking, noting that the 5080 provides decent performance at a reasonable price, making it a sensible option for Star Citizen players.

In the video, the host compares the RTX 5080 to the RTX 4080 and 3080 specifically for gaming in Star Citizen at 4K resolution. While mainstream reviews suggest that the 5080 is only a minor upgrade over the 4080, the host argues that it is, in fact, the best GPU for Star Citizen due to its performance in this particular game. The discussion includes an analysis of overclocking potential, the impact of DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), and the rationale behind not opting for the higher-end 5090 for Star Citizen.

The testing setup used is highlighted, noting that it operates on a motherboard supporting PCIe Gen 4, which may affect performance. The host emphasizes that Star Citizen currently has performance issues, including long loading times and CPU bottlenecks, but mentions that recent patches have improved performance. The RTX 3080 remains strong at 1080p, while at 1440p, it begins to fall behind the 4080 and 5080, which are more suited for 4K gaming.

When comparing the 4080 and 5080 at 4K, the performance uplift from the 5080 is minimal, leading to the conclusion that if you already own a 4080, there’s little reason to upgrade to the 5080. However, the 5080 does provide a significant upgrade over the 3080, especially when utilizing DLSS, which enhances performance and image quality. The host notes that the 10 GB VRAM of the 3080 is becoming limiting for 4K gaming in Star Citizen.

The video also discusses the performance of both GPUs during Quantum travel and cloud rendering in Star Citizen, with the 3080 still being playable at 4K when using DLSS. The host finds that the 4080 and 5080 offer similar performance boosts when DLSS is enabled, reinforcing the idea that the 5080 doesn’t offer enough of an upgrade over the 4080 to justify a purchase unless you’re upgrading from the 3080.

Finally, the host presents a case for the 5080 being a sensible purchase for Star Citizen, especially considering its price point compared to the more expensive 5090 and AMD’s offerings. While acknowledging that the 5080 may not be the most exciting GPU, it can still deliver decent performance for 4K gaming in Star Citizen, particularly when overclocked. The video concludes by emphasizing that for those focused solely on Star Citizen, the 5080 could be the best choice, especially if found at MSRP.