PNY GTX 1080 Ti XLR8 OC review: A gorgeous graphics card with great value

Power

We test power under load by plugging the entire system into a Watts Up meter, running the Division benchmark at 4K resolution, and noting the peak power draw. Idle power is measured after sitting on the Windows desktop for three minutes with no extra programs or processes running.

Brad Chacos/IDG

As expected, the overclocked custom cards consume more power than the reference Founders Edition, though surprisingly little in practice. Interestingly, the custom versions consume less power than the GTX 1080 Ti Founders Edition does when idle.

Heat

We test heat during the same intensive Division benchmark at a strenuous 4K resolution, by running SpeedFan in the background and noting the maximum GPU temperature once the run is over.

Brad Chacos/IDG

Here’s where the benefits of a custom cooling solution truly shine. The GTX 1080 Ti Founders Edition runs hot and performs worse than PNY and EVGA’s cards, both of which stay well under 70 degrees Celsius under load despite being far less bulky than most other custom GTX 1080 Ti models. Even though PNY’s card uses three fans to the EVGA’s two, the cards generate similar noise levels to our ears—far, far, far less than the Founders Edition.

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