Many have long awaited the release of RTX 3000 series of graphics cards with their Ampere architecture, increase in performance, and respectable prices. As with any RTX graphics card release, you can get your hands on the NVIDIA variant but other third-party companies such as MSI, ASUS, and more produce their own takes, sometimes with better features.
We’re going to take a look at the best of the third-party RTX 3000 series graphics cards, including the RTX 3070, RTX 3080, and RTX 3090, providing you with all the information we have around the specs, features, and how you can get your order in on one of these impressive pieces of kit.
RTX 3090, RTX 3080, and RTX 3070 graphics card specs
With the RTX 3000 series range just announced, we only have little information to go off, especially from the third-party retailers. However, what we do have is a breakdown of all of the core specs from the RTX 3090, RTX 3080, and RTX 3070 graphics cards.
As you can see they’re going to be on a whole other level compared to the previous iteration and with additional third-party enhancements, could stretch performance even further.
Products at a Glance
Best Third-Party RTX 3000 series Graphics Cards
When Gigabyte puts their name on a graphics card, you know you’re getting quality. With 2080 Ti options being classed as the best on the market for a number of individuals, there’s no reason why their AORUS XTREME RTX 3090 can’t be much different.
Gigabyte AORUS graphics cards are known for some serious power and cooling and this XTREME variant of the RTX 3090 certainly has it in spades. It utilizes a unique blade stack approach to its cooling with a wind claw design and alternate spinning fans, so the air pressure can completely cover the heatsink. There’s some pretty nice RGB lighting too, subtle, yet vibrant, fitting nicely into either a brand new gaming PC or upgrading your old machine.
MSI produces some really top RTX graphics cards which some say have the best aesthetics and fantastic cooling. Their RTX 3080 GAMING TRIO X certainly follows that trend with an almost carbon fibre look coupled with chrome MSI logos on each of the fans. Not only this but there’s RGB lighting built into the card, fitting perfectly into any gaming rig. Looking deeper into those fans, you’ll be taking advantage of TORX 4.0 technology, funneling air into the updated TRI FROZR 2 cooling system.
There’s one reason and one reason only you’re picking up one of these brand new RTX 3000 series graphics cards and that’s for gaming. With a name like GAMING X TRIO, this MSI RTX 3080 won’t disappoint, boasting all of the top of the line performance you’d expect while also having that trademark cooling MSI are known for included.
If you’re relatively new to the whole GPU scene, PALIT might not be at the top of your agenda when researching. But, they produce some pretty stellar graphics cards and great prices. One of their takes on the RTX 3070 is the GAMING PRO OC that details some serious performance without the price tag you’d expect. It uses a Triple A Die Casting Plate Kit and Advanced TurboFan 3.0 for optimal cooling as well as 0-dB Tech keeping it as silent as possible.
While it will do an incredible job for gaming with its 24 GB of G6X memory, it also has a really unique look that some may find very appealing. It, of course, has three cooling fans but two of these are semi-hidden due to the metal frame which houses RGB elements.
Things To Consider
Our Verdict
Of course, choosing your RTX 3000 series graphics card could all be down to personal preference so if our above picks don’t jump out to you as your go-tos, we have a full list of third-party RTX 3000 series graphics cards as well as NVIDIA’s own here.