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My review of the EVGA and MSI RTX 3080s
| https://i.imgur.com/chK2k5a.jpeg | 12/17/25 |
| https://i.imgur.com/chK2k5a.jpeg | 12/17/25 |
| https://i.imgur.com/chK2k5a.jpeg | 12/17/25 |
| https://i.imgur.com/chK2k5a.jpeg | 12/17/25 |
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Date: December 17th, 2025 7:32 PM Author: https://i.imgur.com/chK2k5a.jpeg *3090s
1. Both of these cards use the old fashioned power connectors, so there's no risk of fire. Major win over the 3090 ti
2. Both cards have to be used with Windows before you can dump them in Linux boxes, because both may need BIOS updates, and because you need to run Windows apps to disable the RGB LEDs. Windows is also good for testing stability etc
3. The MSI pulls about 371W max whereas the EVGA only pulls about 350. However the MSI idles lower in Linux. Both idle at 8W at boot, but EVGA won't dip below 30W after you put a load on it, whereas the MSI drops back down to 8W after a minute. This is with or without Ollama running in the background, i.e. the EVGA keeps pulling 30W even if I kill Ollama, and the MSI drops to 8W even with Ollama still running.
4. The MSI is built better all around. I have the Gaming Trio X, not sure if MSI made any other 3090s, but the backplate is reinforced against bends. If this card ever bends you'll know it.
5. The EVGA is shorter than the MSI but not by much
6. The MSI Center software is a fucking nightmare. The EVGA software is much better. Furthermore the EVGA software will update your BIOS whereas MSI makes you search for a separate installer and won't tell you if your BIOS is out of date.
7. Performance is identical. They both max out at 73C and get the same frame rates even though they MSI drinks about 8% more juice when running at max.
8. I power limited both to 280W and they both seemed fine. Some people take them to 250W but I didn't test how low these could go.
9. If I were doing this from scratch I'd get two MSIs, since the backplate is better reinforced. I would only have to install MSI Center and download the BIOS update oncev to do both cards. The LEDs are really obnoxious on the MSI, but if you disable them in MSI Center, then uninstall MSI Center immediately afterward, the lights will stay off after you reboot or put it in another machine. |
Date: December 17th, 2025 7:40 PM Author: https://i.imgur.com/chK2k5a.jpeg Update: there's a cheaper version of the MSI called the Ventus. I assume the backplate is weaker on that one. I would only buy the Gaming X Trio version (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5811496&forum_id=2).#49517887) |
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Date: December 17th, 2025 8:01 PM Author: https://i.imgur.com/chK2k5a.jpeg Won't have time to stack them in a single system until after Christmas, but running one in an old server is enough to do a LOT. This is running on PCIe 3.0 and it's still 180.
https://i.imgur.com/hkMiaFQ.jpeg |
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Date: December 17th, 2025 10:05 PM Author: https://i.imgur.com/chK2k5a.jpeg You can see the MSI dip down to <10W at the end.
https://limewire.com/d/LujLF#jp3UUaALAn
The EVGA will idle there at boot, but as soon as you ask a question it gets STUCK at 30W idle until you reboot (which takes fucking forever with this server).
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