The RTX 4080 may have both 16GB and 12GB variants at launch

Just when we thought the specifications for the RTX 4080 were finally set in stone, a new rumour has appeared, suggesting the exact opposite. It seems the RTX 4080 GPUs may come in two variants, one with 16GB of memory and the other with 12GB.

According to MEGAsizeGPU, the RTX 4080 reference design for partners will come in two flavours. First, we have the 12GB model, which will feature a 10-layer PCB and 192-bit memory bus. Then, there's the 16GB variant with a 12-layer PCB and a 256-bit memory bus. In addition, the leaker also stated that each model has its own PCB design.

4080 16G and 4080 12G will be released and launched at the same time, just like 1060 6G and 1060 3G https://t.co/nTWYuSGZUm

— MEGAsizeGPU (@Zed__Wang) September 6, 2022

MEGAsizeGPU later followed up the initial tweet with another, suggesting that both the 16GB and 12GB models would actually launch concurrently, in the same way Nvidia launched the GTX 1060 6GB and GTX 1060 3GB. This is an interesting claim as Nvidia has not adopted this strategy for its high-end SKUs in recent years, and the analogy is slightly flawed, as the GTX 1060 3GB actually launched a month after the GTX 1060 6GB, so take this with a grain of salt for now.

Still, if you remember, reports also suggested that Nvidia was working on multiple RTX 3080 configurations. Besides the 10GB and 12GB models that were released, rumours also claimed Nvidia had a 16GB and a 20GB model in the works. In the end, only two of these were available for sale worldwide.

Besides the RTX 4080 models, the leaker also stated that the RTX 4090 reference design for partners would use a 14-layer PCB, probably due to the increased quantity of GDDR6X memory. We'll be able to confirm the rumour once Nvidia officially reveals the RTX 40 series, which shouldn't be too far away now.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: Do you think Nvidia will release both SKUs? If your answer is no, which memory configuration would better suit the RTX 4080 GPU? 

Become a Patron!