GPU anti-sagging support may be needed.

As with each GPU launch, many graphics card manufacturers jump to announce their shiny new cards boasting the biggest coolers and the brightest LEDs. This time, with the launch of Nvidia’s RTX 4090 and RTX 4080 GPUs, no fewer than ten partners unleashed cards, with some offering as many as six models based on one GPU. The least we could say about these cards is that they are chunky, so make sure that yours is well supported, if you manage to snag one, that is.

Asus’s GeForce RTX 40 Series ROG Strix and TUF Gaming graphics cards feature a 3.5-slot design with tight tolerances to prevent PCB sagging or warping. The Strix variant is 357mm long and uses a rebuilt heatsink design with a new vapour chamber and 30 per cent more surface area compared to previous-generation ROG Strix GeForce RTX 3090. The card uses 6mm plus 8mm heatpipes sunk into the vapour chamber which allows for 5°C cooler temperatures than a conventional vapour chamber design, according to Asus.

The brand also claims that its upgraded seven-blades Axial-tech fans provide 23.8 per cent more airflow and 19.3 per cent more pressure than those found on the ROG Strix GeForce RTX 3090. The board is supplied with 12+4-phase system comprising 70A power stages – two power stages per phase fuelling the GPU, for a total of 24+4.

Finally, all models seem to have a dual BIOS switch that allows you to choose between maximum performance and quiet modes.

Colorful is launching three series of graphics cards – the Vulcan offering a large air-cooler with an LCD screen, the liquid-cooled Neptune and its 360mm triple-fan AIO, and the NB which carries the RTX 3080 NB 10G EX cooler design.

Those looking for an eye-catching card should go with a Vulcan variant boasting an 800×216-pixel screen, fully customisable via the iGame Center app. You can display real-time monitoring data, custom images, GIFs, and more. It also has a one-key overclock and a new fan-blade design that delivers 55CFM of airflow compared to last-gen Storm Chaser fans’ 42CFM. The card comes bundled with a Vulcan support frame.

Those looking for performance should be pleased by the liquid-cooled Neptune and its slim two-slot form factor using a full-copper water block that covers the GPU, memory, and other components of the graphics card.

For its RTX 4090 and RTX 4080 cards, Gainward seems to be keeping to the tried-and-tested coolers found on the Phantom and Phoenix variants, with one exception called RTX 4080 Phoenix Reunion. These cards feature inclined fins and large heatpipes, not to forget a plate for that extra rigidity.

Here we only have three models, one for each GPU, all from the ‘Serious Gaming’ family.

Starting from the top, we have the RTX 4090 Serious Gaming and its 18+4-phase power design with a boost clock up to 2,580MHz while maintaining good cooling effectiveness with its SG Extreme thermal cooling system housing four 8mm plus four 6mm heatpipes coupled to a vapour-chamber cooling base. The fans allow for a 25 per cent and 15 per cent increase in airflow and air pressure, respectively, according to Galax. This card has also been upgraded with a 5V ARGB LED illumination.

Next we have the RTX 4080 16GB Serious Gaming with 16+3 power phases, using the same triple-fan cooling system but losing the vapour chamber for an extra 6mm heat pipe.

Finally, the RTX 4080 12GB Serious Gaming offers a lighter design including 11+2 power phases, two 92mm plus one 102mm WINGS 2.0 fans in a triple-slot format with eight 6mm heatpipes.

Gigabyte will start by launching RTX 4090-based cards in October before moving to RTX 4080s in November. The brand is going balls-to-the-wall with its air-cooled models, especially the RTX 4090 Aorus Master which features a cooler so tall many chassis won’t support it. Wow.

Cards rocking a WindForce cooling system will get a new fan-blade design called Bionic shark, increasing static pressure by up to 20 per cent while reducing noise levels by up to 3dB, according to Gigabyte. “The massive heatsink module with the angular fins creates more surface area and cooling capacity than ever before. Paired with the vapor chamber in direct touch of the interior cores, multiple heat pipes, and the enlarged screen cooling vent at the back, the AORUS RTX 40 series graphics cards assure top-notch thermal performance, even at demanding loads,” says Gigabyte.

The brand will also bring back an upgraded version of the signature triple-ring RGB lights on the Aorus and Gaming OC GeForce RTX 40 Series cards. The LCD Edge View screen on the side of Aorus models gives users another option to personalise cards with texts, images, gifs, or something more useful like monitoring power consumption, temperatures, RPMs, etc.

Well-known for its liquid-cooled graphics cards, Inno3D will offer now offer nine cards, some air-cooled and most importantly, some are liquid-cooled by a beautiful acrylic water block.

Representing the flagship card we find the RTX 4090 IChill Frostbite with slimmer thermal pads bringing the cooler closer to heat-generating components and a more efficient waterflow design using simulation software. Inno3D didn’t miss this opportunity to integrate some ARGB LEDs into its acrylic block for that extra bling.

If you want performance but don’t like the risks of water cooling, you have the factory-overclocked XC/OC model and its mammoth cooler measuring 336mm in length and 145mm height, and taking over 3 slots. Three 98mm scythe fan push air through a fin-stack connected to nine heatpipes and a vapour chamber.

Inno3D plans to release:

MSI is also launching nine graphics card. Yes, nine, with three on each GPU tier.

Starting with the Suprim Liquid variant which will only be found on top of an RTX 4090 GPU, we have an AIO liquid-cooled card featuring a 240mm radiator cooled by a pair of MSI Silent Gale P12 120mm fans, and a single Torx 5.0 fan on top of a dedicated heatsink cooling the power delivery components.

A step below we find the Suprim models, boasting Tri Frozr 3S cooler – MSI’s most advanced air-cooling system, made of Torx Fan 5.0 and up to 10 heatpipes. The RTX 4090 and RTX 4080 16GB cards include a vapour chamber, whereas the RTX 4080 12GB uses a nickel-plated copper baseplate. The RTX 4090 model takes up 3.75 slots, while the RTX 4080 models arrive with 3.75 and 3.5 slots, respectively.

RGB Mystic Light is obviously present alongside a dual BIOS switch offering a choice between low noise and additional performance.

Palit also keeps its trusty coolers for the new RTX 4090 and RTX 4080 card, namely the GameRock and GamingPro ranges. The GamingPro models have their lighting modified a bit with two different styles, while the new OmniBlack edition is available for users wanting a black variant without lighting.

Furthermore, to please both black and white card fans, Palit has announced the GameRock Classic in a clear-white crystal finish.

PNY goes simple by delivering one model for each GPU.

The RTX 4090 variant is equipped with three 100mm fans pushing air through a fin-stack connected to the GPU via eight heatpipes and a vapour chamber. The RTX 4080 16GB follows the same design but comes without said vapour chamber, while the RTX 4080 12GB goes even further offering ‘only’ seven heatpipes. An aluminium back plate is also included providing additional cooling to sensitive components. Do not forget Epic-X RGB lighting.

PNY XLR8 Gaming GeForce RTX 4090 will be available starting first half of October, with PNY XLR8 Gaming GeForce RTX 4080 16GB and PNY XLR8 Gaming GeForce RTX 4080 12GB available starting first half of November.

Zotac trades design for some much appealing round shapes.

This new style will be found on the AMP and Trinity ranges, the latter being offered in OC and classic variants. There are some differences, however, such as a counter-rotating central fan and extra RGB lighting on the AMP Extreme AIRO, where lighting that can be synced via a dedicated header if needed.

Cooling-wise, these cards use the IceStorm 3.0 cooling system boasting up to 50 per cent larger fan blades, 30 per cent thicker heatsink, nine heatpipes, a vapour chamber, and a massive 24+4-phase design. Moreover, users will be able to adjust fan rotations independently and switch between two distinct BIOS modes via a physical switch or through Zotac’s FireStorm utility. Low-tier models will obviously include fewer features and power stages.

The Zotac Gaming GeForce RTX 4090 series will be available starting early October 2022, with the Zotac Gaming GeForce RTX 4080 16GB and 4080 12GB series following in early November 2022.

We hope you found something suiting your style in the arsenal. For more details about Nvidia’s upcoming RTX 4090 and RTX 4080, check our launch coverage here.

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