Nvidia has recently launched new versions of the its RTX 3000 series of GeForce graphics cards. This included the RTX 3070 Ti and RTX 3080 Ti. While the latter is one of the most powerful GPU currently in the market, it launched with 12GB of VRAM despite various rumors going around that stated it had 20GB of VRAM. But now, new information recently surfacing has revealed that the 20GB variant is actually real.
The news arrives from a tweet from @momomo_US, which shared a new listing on TechPowerUp that showcases a Gigabyte Aorus GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Xtreme (GV-N308TAORUS X-20GD) GPU that features 20GB of GDDR6X memory. The first reports of this 20GB version had appeared back in December 2020 in an EEC listing from Gigabyte. Comparing the model Aorus RTX 3080 Ti that is currently available in the market, the only real difference between the two cards is the VRAM and most other aspects like clock speeds for the memory remains the same.
Although, the 20GB model does feature a smaller memory interface. The packaging and the CPU-Z screenshot show a 320 bit memory bus on the 20GB RTX 3080 Ti over the 384 bit interface in the 12GB version. In other words, the higher memory version would;ve offered lower memory bandwidth. As of right now, this rare 20GB version is in the hands of a Russian cryptominer that somehow managed to get the card.
Unfortunately, it is unknown what the sizeable amount of VRAM was intended for as the RTX 3080 had distinctly lower memory compared to the 3090 as it was primarily intended for gaming. Modern titles do not require such high VRAMs although certain professional apps would benefit from this boost in memory. So, it might have been the middle ground between the expensive RTX 3090 and RTX 3080 that was good for both workloads.
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