MSI GTX 1080 Ti Lightning Review

Up Close

The packaging for the Lightning is somewhat more muted than we’ve seen previously with just a nose-on view of the jet fighter hinting at the models of yore. On the reverse the features that separate the Lightning from the pack are laid out clearly so that you are left in no doubt about the benefits of owning this particular model.

The card itself is a monster. Seriously thick and heavy, with three fans employed at keeping it cool, particularly during these few weeks that count as an English summer. By default it is equipped with the silver accents, but as we’ve seen on the previous page you can adjust these to more muted or gaudy options depending upon your personal preferences.

  
  
  

Just in case you doubt our observation that the Lightning is a beefy card then take a look at these. It’s very nearly three slots wide, with the monster heatsink bursting from the seams of the shroud. You can also see the three 8-pin PCIe power inputs that keep this beast fed with power under even the most harsh loadings.

The backplate is equally savoury with a thick form helping spread the heat and a few vents to help stop any build up of temperature. The white sections you can see on the Lightning are the locations for the RGB lighting, a step ahead of the more standard “just the logo” lighting that you get with some other cards.

  
  
  

With such a thick card it is understandable that some people might fear for the stress the Lightning will place upon their PCI Express slot, and so MSI have kindly included a triple-slot plate for extra support. It’s nice to have this as an option so if you’ve got a modern motherboard with reinforced slots then this is unnecessary and you’re not forced to take up so much of your expansion case ports. Of course if you’re running regular slots on a, ahem, more affordable motherboard then the extra support this bracket provides could be a godsend.