Forget the RTX 30 series — I've learned to be happy with my 2080 Ti

Forget the RTX xxx series — I've learned to exist happy with my 2080 Ti

(Image credit: Nvidia)

Listen, you lot read that headline and I know what you're thinking: "Jordan, the 2080 Ti was top-of-the-line last gen! Of course it's still good!" And you're correct. The 2080 Ti was the top card in the RTX 20-series gaming line-up (recollect that the Titan RTX was non billed as a gaming GPU). And I know that many people out there right now would honey to have something as powerful every bit the 2080 Ti in their systems.

That's the thing, I never took the time to change my perspective. I only looked to the things I didn't — or in this case, couldn't — have, stressing about and getting frustrated with the GPU shortage problem plaguing the PC gaming industry. I failed to encounter how sturdy and reliable my Asus Strix 2080 Ti actually is, looking only to the new and shiny thing.

It's no underground that the new Ampere-based RTX thirty-series are powerful cards. At launch, Nvidia said the 3070 could match the 2080 Ti'south performance, allow alone what the 3080 and 3090 could do. I hate to admit information technology, but I got suckered into the hype. Suddenly, my 2080 Ti wasn't then special and it's like a switch went off in my head. I somehow convinced myself that my GPU was no longer sufficient.

Similar many people, I'thousand extremely susceptible to FOMO, or the fear of missing out. Whether it's in my games like Destiny 2 or with PC hardware, information technology has historically stressed me out to not accept the all-time. It's similar a badge of honour that no i but me cares well-nigh.

Nvidia GeForce 3090 Ti — (Image credit: Nvidia)

In the past six months or and then, I've spent a lot of my time refocusing on things that are really of import, honing in on the things I can command and living my best life. I realized that my 2080 Ti can still play any game out there at max settings on my 1440p display. And it can take advantage of DLSS in games like Control and Cyberpunk 2077. In the titles I play, mostly Destiny 2 and Apex Legends, I regularly see well over 120 frames per second, even in intense situations.

I retrieve many of us could learn to exist happy with what we have. Notwithstanding, there's absolutely nothing wrong with wanting or planning to upgrade your hardware — I'm preparing to upgrade my CPU from my crumbling Ryzen 7 1700X. In fact, I think it's healthy to have something in your hobby that y'all shoot for. But I went as well far, growing obsessed with what I didn't accept instead of appreciating my PC. Judge what, it played all of my games the aforementioned after the RTX 30 declaration as information technology did earlier we knew anything about Nvidia's next large matter.

I'thou teaching myself to exist content with my hardware. My 2080 Ti is even so a very powerful card. I'one thousand not actively looking for an RTX 3080, 3080 Ti, or Radeon RX 6900 XT. The fervor around GPUs on the new and used markets is too much for me to handle, and I would rather devote my free energy to healthier things. Things like enjoying playtime with friends or pursuing other hobbies such as reading and writing. I've even started tinkering with new Raspberry Pi and Home Assistant projects.

I've given upwards on trying to find a new GPU, but I don't think of that as a defeat. Instead, I want to appreciate what I have. If annihilation, my CPU is the affair that needs an upgrade pronto and I'm saving up for that instead.

While considering all of this, I realized how stupid I'd been. I take a friend with a 2080 Super and he'south happy, and then why was I all upset? I'm incredibly fortunate to not only have a GPU, only one that performs so well in gaming and mining. I'one thousand content to hang onto what I've got until the GPU shortage dies downwardly. I'll just proceed gaming away on my trusty 2080 Ti.

Jordan is the Phones Editor for Tom's Guide, covering all things phone-related. He'south written about phones for over five years and plans to continue for a long while to come. He loves nothing more than relaxing in his home with a book, game, or his latest personal writing projection. Jordan likes finding new things to dive into, from books and games to new mechanical keyboard switches and fun keycap sets. Jordan tends to lurk on social media, just you can best reach him on Twitter.