MSI RTX 5080 with 24GB VRAM Expected; Listed in X870 Tomahawk WiFi Compatibility

According to the VGA compatibility list available on MSI’s website, there are indications that the company may introduce a new variant of the RTX 5080 featuring an increased VRAM capacity.

Potential for a 24 GB RTX 5080 GPU: Is MSI Charting Its Own Path for RTX 50 Series Graphics Cards?

Typically, NVIDIA’s board partners, including MSI, are bound by strict guidelines when it comes to modifying the specifications of NVIDIA GPUs. This includes the memory configurations of these graphics cards. However, MSI has surprisingly noted a 24 GB version of the GeForce RTX 5080 in their compatibility list.

While MSI has yet to officially unveil this variant, the mention of the 24 GB RTX 5080 was spotted in the VGA compatibility list associated with the MSI X870 Tomahawk Wi-Fi page. The list includes launched RTX 50 series GPUs, such as the RTX 5090, RTX 5070 Ti, and RTX 5070. Notably absent is the expected 16 GB edition of the RTX 5080, leading to speculation that the listing for the 24 GB version could potentially be a clerical error.

MSI RTX 5080 24 GB VGA compatibility list

The VGA compatibility list serves as a general guide outlining the GPUs that a motherboard can support upon installation. Importantly, this doesn’t confirm whether the RTX 5080 listed is manufactured by MSI or other vendors. This unique listing on MSI’s platform has sparked curiosity about whether the manufacturer is indeed planning a 24 GB edition of the RTX 5080.

Until MSI provides clarification, it remains uncertain if they can implement a change in memory configuration without NVIDIA’s authorization. Nevertheless, the possibility of a 24 GB variant could exist if MSI utilizes 3 GB GDDR7 memory modules, as opposed to the standard 2 GB used in the RTX 50 series. This configuration is already evident in the laptop variant of the RTX 5090, which boasts a 256-bit memory interface and 24 GB capacity.

The standard GeForce RTX 5080 is equipped with a 256-bit memory interface and a default VRAM of 16 GB. Theoretically, it could accommodate up to 24 GB with the implementation of 3 GB memory modules, contingent upon NVIDIA’s endorsement. Additionally, we might see future iterations of the RTX 5080, such as the RTX 5080 Ti or RTX 5080 Super, introduce higher memory configurations. As of now, however, the RTX 5080 appears to be limited to 16 GB.

While a 24 GB configuration for the RTX 5080 may not significantly enhance gaming performance, it could offer substantial advantages for other memory-demanding applications. This aligns with the presence of the RTX 4090 variant, which is available in China with a 48 GB option, priced similarly to the current RTX 5090 based on market trends.

For additional information, you can refer to the following sources: MSI, @unikoshardware

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