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The RTX 3080 may have been released as far back as 2020, but as Nvidia’s previous flagship, it still holds its ground as one of the most established GPUs for 4K gaming in the current market. With an RTX 3080, you can expect to cruise through your favorite games, perform graphics-intensive tasks such as video editing and 3D rendering, and run demanding applications. What’s more, getting a prebuilt PC eradicates the tiresome task of searching for components to pair with the 3080, getting you set straight up with a rig that’s guaranteed to perform.
In this article, we’re diving straight into uncovering the best RTX 3080 gaming PC in 2024, sifting through what’s currently available across the web to provide options for users with different budgets and stylistic needs. If like us, you think that the top end of the 30 series has a lot to give, finding a prebuilt PC that’s set with all the compatible components, like the best motherboard for RTX 3080 and the best CPU for RTX 3080, can be a real time saver.
If we have to do the RTX 4080 vs RTX 3080 debate, then the latter is much more affordable. Performance-wise, the RTX 4080 surely has an edge with the DLSS 3.0 and ray tracing. Plus, the new graphics card has more clock speeds as well as memory capacity. However, both cards have a TDP of 320W – so depending on your budget, RTX 3080 will deliver new value, while RTX 4080 is more about getting the latest tech for your setup.
Products at a glance
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BEST RTX 3080 GAMING PCSkytech Chronos Gaming PC Desktop (RTX 3080)
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
- GPU: RTX 3080 10GB GDDR6X
- RAM: 16GB DDR4
- Storage: 1TB SSD
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BEST BUDGET RTX 3080 GAMING PCEmpowered PC Continuum Micro Gaming Desktop (RTX 3080)
- CPU: Intel Core i7-12700KF
- GPU: RTX 3080
- RAM: 32GB DDR5 RAM
- Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD + 2TB HDD
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Empowered PC Sentinel Gaming Desktop – NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080
- CPU: Core i7-14700KF
- GPU: RTX 3080
- RAM: 32GB RAM
- Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD + 2TB HDD
How we picked the best RTX 3080 gaming PC
For this guide, we took a look at several pre-built RTX 3080 PCs, compared them, and picked the ones we thought were the best. The PCs have been selected based on specs like processors, cooling systems, RAM, storage, and more, but most importantly we’ve drawn on our in-depth knowledge of the card from our hands-on experience with it and our RTX 3080 review. It may be an Ampere card, but the specs of the 3080 are certainly nothing to be sniffed at; with 8,704 CUDA cores and 10GB GDDR6X RAM, the 3080 has 4K prowess that’s possible through its 760.3 GB/s bandwidth for 19 Gbps effective memory. It might no longer be the best graphics card overall, but for its price point, the 3080 still provides competitive performance.
On the same note, if you’re looking for a portable option, then you should check out some of the best RTX 3080 laptops. Further, we are constantly looking for new products to add to our guide and keep them as updated as possible – so do check back here again for new updates.
Best RTX 3080 gaming PC in 2024 – our top pre-built picks
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
- GPU: RTX 3080 10GB GDDR6X
- RAM: 16GB DDR4
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- AMD Ryzen 7 3700X is one of the strongest Zen 2 CPUs
- Good cooling system, with efficient fans for airflow
- Eye-catching design with RGB that extends to the case, and is fully customizable
- No USB Type C port, means you’ll need an adapter if you have USB C peripherals
- Still quite a high price considering you’re getting last-gen tech
- Tempered glass side panels look cool but can restrict airflow
If you’re looking for one of the best mid-range RTX 3080 pre-built setup, then you should check out the Skytech Chronos Gaming PC Desktop.
The setup comes packed with an AMD Ryzen 7 3700X CPU. Although it was launched in 2019, this eight-core and sixteen-thread CPU should handle several tasks even today. For gamers and those who operate heavy applications, the CPU’s maximum turbo speed of 4.4 GHz should come in handy, and it’s not curtains for the Zen 2 processors just yet. Moving our focus to the GPU, this model has a 10GB RTX 3080, which should handle most games decently – especially at 1080p settings. Some older titles, such as GTA V, should run smoother with this graphics card, but our in-house benchmarks still found the 3080 soaring through CS:GO with an average of 333 FPS in 4K.
The PC comes with 16GB DDR4 RAM, which should be sufficient for gamers. However, if you’re a content creator or someone who needs more RAM, you can choose to upgrade it at an additional cost.
As far as cooling is concerned, the build has four fans as well as a desiccated all-in-one liquid cooler, which should maintain optimal temperatures when the system experiences load. Plus, the casing also has a mesh design, which should further enhance the cooling.
Coming to connectivity, you get two USB 2.0, one USB 3.0, one headphone, a microphone jack, and other ports, so you should be able to plug in peripherals without any difficulties. However, the setup lacks a USB Type C port.
What users say
On the whole, user reviews for the Skytech Chronos Gaming PC seem to be in consensus that this is a pretty good quality build. One user mentioned that it’s a “Solid computer build” with “Low noise out the box”, and another that “The build quality was good, cables were managed, it looked super clean inside”.
However, value – more specifically memory size – cropped up a couple of times throughout reviews, and similarly to what we’ve mentioned above, some users seemed to think that “The memory size was a little small by today’s standard”. What’s more, another wrote that “for the price, the RAM and storage should be greater than what you get”, so it’s possible you might have to upgrade your storage solutions if you’re planning on heavy usage.
- CPU: Intel Core i7-12700KF
- GPU: RTX 3080
- RAM: 32GB DDR5 RAM
- Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD + 2TB HDD
- Hybrid storage means you get both internal and external options
- 6 ARGB PWM fans with high static pressure 600-2000rpm PWM
- Infinity mirror front panel is a really stunning addition
- If you don’t want to use the HHD, there’s only 512GB SSD
- Again, doesn’t have USB-C ports
- Intel 12th Gen has been replaced by newer and better versions
If you’re looking for a budget RTX 3080 Gaming PC, then you should check out the Continuum Micro Gaming Desktop: at $1,349.99, it offers a much better value proposition than the previous Skytech Chronos Gaming PC.
The PC comes with an Intel Core i7-12700KF processor, which deserves to be one of the best CPUs for RTX 3080, and in terms of performance the two are a pretty equal match. The processor has 12 cores and 20 threads and can run at a maximum turbo speed of 5 GHz, so you can expect it to handle heavy tasks as well as multitasking. Further, the build has 32GB of RAM and hybrid storage that includes a 512GB SSD and 2TB HDD, which should be sufficient for most users.
As far as the GPU is concerned, you get a 10GB GDDR6 RTX 3080 GPU, which should be sufficient for most people looking to run GPU-intensive apps.
For cooling, the PC has two fans on the bottom part of the top cover, one fan at the rear end of the chassis, and three additional fans, which should keep the PC’s temperature down. And to prevent dust, there’s a magnetic filter on the top cover.
Coming to the aesthetics, the build looks like it has several colored LED lights on the inner walls of the chassis. However, it is the infinity mirror front panel that gives an illusion of an endless void when looked at from the front.
What users say
As is sort of obvious from the looks of this PC, user reviews from across Amazon comment on the fact that the Skytech Chronos Gaming PC is more than easy on the eye. It’s a visually impressive rig, with one user mentioning that the “the infinity mirrored front looks phenomenal”, and another that “the moment you turn the PC on you are introduced to a very beautiful RGB case with a nice mirror effect on the front of the PC”.
However, a caveat for any PC with tempered glass casing is that it can restrict airflow, and that seems to be one of the issues users have with this prebuilt. While one user wrote that “the only small downside is that the cooling fan is a little loud when under stress”, someone else commented that it “sounds like the bearings are shot”, which is obviously not ideal when you’re forking out above $1,300 in the first place.
- CPU: Core i7-14700KF
- GPU: RTX 3080
- RAM: 32GB RAM
- Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD + 2TB HDD
- Latest gen Intel processor
- Ultra sleek black design is perfect for office environments
- Sentinel PWM fan has auto speed adjustment for efficient and quiet cooling
- Higher end of the price spectrum for a 3080 machine
- No USB C ports that are found on a lot of appliances these days
If you have a bigger budget and are looking for a high-end RTX 3080 gaming PC that’s more suited to an office environment, then the Empowered PC Sentinel Gaming Desktop should tick a lot of boxes.
Before even diving into the internal elements, straight away it’s the outer craftsmanship and class of this build that catch the eye. According to Empowered, this is an ‘Anti-RGB’ PC catered to users who prefer a more low-key but still impressive PC that doesn’t rely on flashy RGB for its looks. This aesthetic extends to the cooling system too, with six black non-RGB fans that automatically adjust speeds from 600-2000RPM based on your current system temperature – sleek, quiet, and cool. Some might call that a triple threat.
Design aside, you’re getting quite the machine internally too. This rig pairs the 3080 with the Core i7-14700KF: equipped 33 MB of L3 cache and operates at 3.4 GHz by default, it can boost up to 5.6 GHz, depending on the workload. So, you can expect high frame rates in gaming and multitasking proficiency, but you might find this processor is prone to running on the hot side.
Whether you’re a hardcore gamer, content creator, or professional, the Empowered Sentinel adapts to your needs effortlessly. Featuring a range of connectivity options including HDMI, DisplayPort, USB 3.0, and Wi-Fi 6, you can easily connect your peripherals and accessories for maximum convenience wherever you’re setting up your PC.
What users say
As is expected from the strong multi-threaded performance of the i7-14700KF, Amazon user reviews for the Empowered PC Sentinel Gaming Desktop comment on the speed of its performance. A couple of people wrote about the fact that “The computer is fast”, and also that it has a “fast start up” and “fast processing”, which is exactly what you’d expect for your price point.
However, what was also expected were the comments on the “no USB C” situation, which can be quite limiting given that it’s more of a standardized cable now. So, if you’re planning on making your purchase, you might want to also consider getting a USB-C to USB-A adapter.
Features and considerations for choosing the best RTX 3080 PC
Here are a few pointers that you can consider while buying a pre-built RTX 3080 setup:
CPU
To start with, you need to find a setup that has a powerful CPU that goes with the RTX 3080 graphics card. If you look at some of the latest builds, you will see that the GPU is paired with an Intel 14th-gen CPU, which should give you a better performance overall as the latest generation from Intel. However, there are other older processors that are compatible with RTX 3080 and deliver efficient performance: for example, the Skytech Chronos Gaming PC Desktop still uses AMD Zen 2.
RAM
To ensure that video games and demanding software run smoothly and load faster, it is important to have enough RAM. Most setups start at 8GB RAM along with 256GB SSD. However, if your budget allows, you should get more RAM and storage, which will help cut down on loading times. For instance, some of the best RAM for gaming helps process applications faster, giving you a better gaming experience.
Cooling System
If you’re planning to perform demanding tasks like video editing or planning long gaming sessions, then you should get a PC build that has an effective cooling system. In case you’re building an RTX 3080 setup yourself, then you should look for cases that can fit all the components comfortably. Luckily for you, you won’t be surprised to hear that we’ve covered our top picks of the best cases for the RTX 3080 for the tinkerers building their rigs from scratch.
Does the RTX 3080 need extra cooling?
The RTX 3080 is still established as a more than decent card for gaming, and while it’s not a particularly heat-prone GPU, extra cooling in your rig can never be a bad thing. When pushing this last-gen model to its limits, or pairing it with one of the latest and greatest CPUs, there’s no doubt that any extra fans or cooling solutions won’t come into play in keeping temperatures low. If cooling is a big priority for you, you can also look out for third-party models that have large coolers or multiple fans to keep the card itself from overheating.
Our verdict
So, hopefully this article has provided a comprehensive overview of the best RTX 3080 gaming PCs available in 2024, catering to a variety of budgets and preferences from across the board. By focusing on prebuilds, we’ve addressed the convenience of avoiding the hassle of component selection and assembly, delivering ready-to-use rigs guaranteed to perform.
In terms of our overall top pick, the Skytech Chronos Gaming PC Desktop uses an equally matched Ryzen processor for balanced performance, that doesn’t disappoint on the eye – it’s got RGB for days. A similar theme was carried across in our second pick, the Empowered Continuum PC, which uses an infinity mirror for a really cool effect. Last up and also from Empowered, the Sentinal PC goes for the understated but classy look, and impresses on the inside with a 14th Gen processor.
