Technology
MSI 1080 TI Duke Unboxing & Review
Today we get to unbox and review and new MSI 1080 Ti Duke. MSI released another version of 1080 TI Graphics Card recently under the brand name Duke. The new graphics card boasts 352-bit memory interface with a core base clock of 1480MHz, boost clock of 1582MHz, and 11GB of GDDR5X memory at 11016MHz. Today we’re going to do an unboxing of the MSI Duke 1080Ti, review the specs, and also do some real world benchmarking with it to see how it ranks amongst other 1080TI graphics card.
First, we want to make it clear that this isn’t MSI’s first 1080Ti graphics card, they have an entire lineup of them. You may be more familiar with the MSI Gaming X which features dual fan, a shorter profile, and has MSI’s signature red on the casing. We did an overview on the MSI Gaming X previously, you can check it out here.
Unboxing the MSi Duke 1080Ti
The MSI Duke ships in a beautiful carbon fiber skinned box with the essential letterings on the front side. The backside is more feature heavy and goes into details with all the offering you’re getting for a $750 graphics card.
One very nice and small touch that MSI added are the tabs to pull out the entire inside. Usually you’d have to do a little bit of wiggling to get everything out without ripping the box apart. Thanks to these little thumb tabs, you can pull the entire inside box easily.
Upon pulling everything out, we’re greeted with MSI’s subtle logo printed on the matted cardboard box. The top is a thin cardboard box containing the essential manual, some marketing materails, a 6 to 8 pin power adepter (if you’re using an older power supply, this is a nice little bonus), and the vestigial installation CD. If you’re building a gaming machine and throwing down $750+ on a graphics card, something tells me you’re not installing a CD drive. Not sure why manufacturers still include these in the higher end graphics card. For lower end cards it makes more sense.
The graphics card itself is encased snuggly inside the foam cushion wrapped in anti-static bag. Opening the wrap reveals a the magnificent looking MSI 1080 TI Duke. It’s construction is mostly hard plastic with carbon fiber print tastefully decorated on the face. Make sure you remove the plastic stickers on the fan plates before installing into your machine. The backplate is solid metal and features MSI’s logo and some more carbon fiber streaks for aesthetics.
Cooling
The graphics card features MSI’s proprietary Tri-Frozr fans. MSI claims the TORX fans have a combined of 2 different blade designs infused into one fan to give superior cooling capabilities. The unique about this card is that the fans actually stop spinning when temperatures are below 60C and only starts when temperatures are above 60C. Keeping the graphics card cool is a cornerstone of design and one many third party manufacturers focus on optimizing.
In addition to the fans, MSI also put a massive 8MM heatpipes that also helps dissipate heat during intense operation. The heatpipes also connect to a reinforced metal plate that acts as an additional heatsink and also prevent flexing due to the size of the graphics card.
The MSI Duke is also noticeable larger than the MSI X gaming therefore flexing may be an issue. Take a look at the picture below and you’ll noticed there’s 2 layers of reinforced plating sandwiching the circuitboard to provide both optimal heat dissipation and also anti-flexing. The anti-flexing held true as we did try to bend the graphics card and to no avail.
The Ports
The MSI 1080 TI Duke comes with your standard DVI port for those with older monitors. It has 2 HDMI 2.0 that can support 4K at 60Hz. You also get 2 1.4 Display ports that can support 4K at 120Hz or 8K at 60Hz (currently we don’t have any 8K displays yet, but in the future when we do, you’ll have a graphics card that can take advantage of it). This is the perfect configuration if you’re planning to setup your machine for VR.
For power, this graphics card (like all 1080 TI really) requires two 8-pin PCI Express power connectors that’s rated at 250 Watts. If your power supply doesn’t support 8-pin PCI, MSI graciously included an adapter for your 6-pin.
RGB Lighting
MSI promised that this is an RGB model meaning there will be configurable lights. The back plate looks nice and clean featuring MSI logo in all white and carbon fiber streaks, however it doesn’t light up. We don’t mind this, as when installed, the backplate is hardly visible anyway.
On the side, the MSI DUKE logo does light up and can be configured. The Geforce GTX doesn’t light up, probably not a bad thing for us because our poor wiring covers it anyway. Overall, the lighting aspect of the MSI 1080 TI Duke is disappointing as only the DUKE logo lights up.
Benchmark
Now it’s time to put the card to test. We decided to test single-player games instead of going online to really test the graphics card capabilities. Online games have the added layer of internet connection that could mislead our results.
For testing, we installed the MSI 1080 TI Duke into our rig. Below are the specs for our rig.
Owner’s Magazine’s Custom Rig
Case – Dark Base 900 Pro (Premium case, bit expensive but definitely worth every penny. Check out our first look HERE)
Power Supply – Dark Power Pro 11 850W
CPU – Intel 7700K Kaby Lake
CPU Cooler – Dark Rock 3
Motherboard – MSI Z270 Carbon Gaming Pro
RAM – 32GB DDR4 G.Skill Ripjaws 32
Graphics Card – MSI 1080 TI Duke
Monitor of Choice
We chose Pixio’s new 347c Prime monitor to review most of the higher end graphics card. Pixio’s 347c Prime is a $600 34″ monitor with aspect ratio of 21:9 giving us ultra-wide 1440p viewing with up to 5MM pixels. This is considerably more challenging output than traditional 1080P monitors, however not quite as demanding as 4K monitors. We enjoy the sweet spot in the middle and also enjoy the extra wide dimension of the Pixio 347c Prime. Review for the Pixio 347c Prime is coming soon.
Keyboard
For this review, we decided to use Das Keyboard 4 Professional keyboard. It’s a professional grade german-made keyboard that’s used by many pros in E-Sport. Review for Das Keyboard 4 Professional coming soon.
Disclaimer: Owner’s Magazine wasn’t paid by either MSI, Be Quiet! or Pixio to promote products. All of the parts in our PC were chosen due to their respected quality and value determined by our engineers. We used quite a bit of Be Quiet!’s products due to their products generally being whispers even during heavy operation. And we chose Pixio’s monitor due to it’s value and desirable pixel density for testing high end graphics card.
Witcher 3
Max FPS: 100
Low FPS: 92
Avg Temperature: 66C
Battlefield 1
Max FPS: 100
Low FPS: 77
Avg Temperature: 71C
Doom
Max FPS: 100
Low FPS: 74
Avg Temperature: 68C
Dishonored 2
Surprisingly dropped below 60FPS during intense fight scenes.
Max FPS: 100
Low FPS: 55
Avg Temperature: 64C
Call of Duty Infinity Warfare
Max FPS: 80
Low FPS: 52
Average Temperature: 79C
Tital Fall 2
Max FPS: 100
Low FPS: 66
Avg Temperature: 72C
MSI 1080 Ti Duke Verdict
After testing the MSI 1080 TI Duke for several hours the card never got over 77C, and fan speed was silent for the most part. The unit handle most games on the list without a hitch. However that’s not surprisingly since 1080 TI typically are made to handle higher end games. Cooling was not an issue with the triple Frozr fans silently doing their job. Frame-rate was capped at 100 for our testing, and most games remained at 100 FPS even during intense fight sequences. The only game that gave us any issue was Call of Duty: Infinity Warfare. The graphics card could only output 80FPS maxed and even dipped below 60FPS during a few sequences. All of this was on a 34″ 1440P ultra-side Pixio 347c Prime monitor, not a 4K monitor.
When you’re shopping for 1080 TI, whether you’re looking at Asus, PNY, EVGA, or MSI they’re all relatively great performing cards. What separates them are the options, features, and bonuses that they come with. At the time of writing, the MSI 1080 TI DUKE is priced at $750 shipped on Amazon and that’s quite a steal given everything you get with it. It’s a solid performing card that comes with all essential ports for VR, has phenomenal cooling, rigid construction with additional heat plates (why the cooling was so good), slim profile (much thinner than the Asus Strix 1080 ti) making it easy to have SLI configuration, and it runs at no louder than a quiet whisper. The only drawback is the lackluster RGB lighting which they may as well not have done at all. Other than that, we put the MSI 1080 TI Duke right up there with all the other big boys.
In just a few years, virtual reality has made significant strides. The release of Meta Quest 3 and PlayStation VR2 has sparked debates over which headset is the best. So, if you’re a casual gamer, a tech enthusiast, or just a fan of immersive entertainment, this article can help you choose between the two. Let’s break it down.
These two are regular placers on lists of the best headsets, thanks to their lower price. However, what makes these VR headsets great is that despite the lower price, they deliver high quality. If you’re looking for VR headsets that are less expensive, these two are excellent options. Here’s a head-to-head review of Meta Quest 3 vs PlayStation VR2:
Design and Setup
Meta Quest 3 comes from a long line of Meta’s standalone, wireless VR. You won’t need a PC or console to run this bad boy. It’s also totally portable, setting up in seconds and allowing you to jump straight into the game or mixed reality experiences. Its new Touch Plus controllers are designed to be more ergonomic, making hand tracking smoother than ever.
On the other hand, PlayStation VR2 is tethered to a PlayStation 5. This means you have to deal with a cable, which can be a small price to pay for more powerful visuals and deeper immersion. Its headset boasts impressive features, including eye tracking, haptic feedback, and adaptive triggers. This allows for the headset to feel like an extension of your body rather than a piece of technology.
Visuals and Performance
Both headsets offer impressive display quality:
- Meta Quest 3: has a resolution of 2064×2208 per eye, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a broader field of view than its predecessor.
- PSVR2: displays 2000×2040 per eye on an OLED panel, also featuring a 120Hz refresh rate and HDR support for richer colors and deeper blacks.
It’s clear that Quest 3 has slightly higher resolution, however, PSVR2’s OLED display and eye tracking make it more realistic and responsive.
Game Library
Focusing more on a strong lineup of standalone VR titles, Meta Quest 3 features Laser Matrix, BlackGate, and Tracked: Shoot to Survive. It also supports many of the classics from Quest 2, such as Beat Saber, Superhot VR, and Resident Evil 4 VR. You can find more at Meta’s store as it continues to grow, with mixed reality experiences thrown in.
PSVR2 is ideal for those into cinematic and console-quality games. It offers titles like Astro Bot, Horizon Call of the Mountain, Hitman 3, and Aces of Thunder that powerfully show what the hardware can do. If you’re already a PS5 gamer, you’ll find a smooth transition into VR gaming with familiar franchises and high-end polish.
Price and Value
- Meta Quest 3 prices start at around $500, with a budget-friendly Quest 3S model for $300.
- PSVR2 is priced at $399.99, but it requires a PlayStation 5, which can increase the overall cost.
So, if you’re starting from scratch, Quest 3 gives better value. However, if you already own a PS5, PSVR2 becomes the more appealing option.
Final Verdict
So, which VR headset should you go for in 2025?
– Go with Meta Quest 3 if you want to be free from wires. You’ll love its portability and enjoy a growing library of standalone and mixed reality games.
– Choose PlayStation VR2 if you love high-end visuals. Its console integration and immersive gameplay push the boundaries of what VR can do, which can be a strong deciding factor for some.
Both headsets are excellent in their own right. The only factor worth considering is the type of experience you’re seeking.
It’s a little surprising to most people that cloud-based software is behind most operations on the internet. Cloud services comprise a considerable component of the international information technology infrastructure as it provides means of Data Storage and Access.
Furthermore, it’s also a means to develop, grow, and maintain applications and databases on the world wide web. If you have a company, there needs to be some sort of central command point that stores your information and operates your requirements.
Essentially, a cloud-based application is defined by a program that manages the storage and housing of information. The following are typical examples of what cloud-based software includes:
- Storage, servers, and networking
- Possibility for developers to build, test and operate applications
- The ability for users to connect to web-based and mobile applications
Here are some cloud-based software examples you’ll want to check out.
1. Amazon Web Services
Amazon Web Services is one of the largest and best cloud computing services out there. It has a comprehensive set of computation, storage, and database solutions developers need for projects. Aside from these advantages, it’s also widely used – in fact, it’s currently available in 84 zones across 26 regions. Plus, it can be used on its own or connected to another cloud computing platform. AWS is free for all users.
2. Google Cloud Platform
Meanwhile, Google Cloud Platform (GCP) is another public service provider you shouldn’t miss. The GCP is best for developers who want to scale their infrastructure at a quick pace. Aside from that, users can take advantage of the service’s AI, analytics, and data management capabilities. It uses virtual machines and hard disks at Google site centers to facilitate its operations. GCP has free trials for first-time users, but its primary payment method is pay-as-you-go.
3. IBM Cloud
IBM Cloud is a highly customizable service that lets developers choose their preferred tools, data model, and delivery models. Developers can use it on its own, but it’s a service best used with other programs. Users prefer it over other services because of its high reliability, pre-installed security feature, and dual-stack IP capabilities. IBM Cloud is free to use.
4. Microsoft Azure
Microsoft Azure is one of the best cloud-based applications if you want a vast network across regions. It’s tailored for developers, and IT teams because of its flexible storage solutions, container and load balancing features, and other core cloud services. Plus, it supports various languages, tools, and operating systems. A free trial of Microsoft Azure will last you for 30 days, but their hourly rate starts at 2 cents per hour for 20GB.
5. Huawei Cloud
Huawei Cloud is a trusted global cloud service provider featuring robust and secure services to serve enterprises of any size. Computing, storage, and AI-based solutions boast extensive scalability and performance. Generally based out of Asia for extensive applications, Huawei Cloud is rapidly expanding into global markets, becoming a leading competitor for adaptive enterprise cloud needs.
6. Oracle Cloud
On the other hand, Oracle Cloud also offers basic cloud services tailored to enterprises. It’s suitable for both companies and developers to connect and share their applications online. Like other platforms, it provides storage, network, and applications through its data centers. Like other platforms, Oracle Cloud has tough security and reliable networks to ensure your data’s safety. This option has subscription-based and integrated services for any kind of online business.
7. Alibaba Cloud
Alibaba Cloud is the leading cloud service provider in Asia and the Pacific, but huge in China. It has all the essential cloud computing services but includes elastic computing, machine learning, big data analytics, and a host of other features. Plus, it’s a scalable option that users can use by itself or with other networks. To date, it has 25 regional centers all over the world. The Alibaba Cloud is available as a pay-as-you-go service.
8. DigitalOcean
Meanwhile, if you’re looking for a simple option that’s better for small operations, DigitalOcean is for you. DigitalOcean focuses on IaaS and offers all the basic and core tools for only $6 a month. That said, it allows users to create VMs, deploy Kubernetes clusters, manage databases, and more. This option is one of the best for beginners for its friendly interface and cheap plans.
9. Tencent Cloud
After Alibaba, China’s next largest service provider is Tencent Cloud. It’s a great option for storage, data migration, and analysis. In addition, it has powerful computation abilities with automatic scaling, CVMs, and auto-scaling. Plus, it also has scalable file storage and CDN. Apart from that, users can also get cloud storage and a strong security feature with this option. Tencent Cloud has over 500 locations all over the world.
10. Salesforce
Meanwhile, Salesforce is one of the best cloud-based software solutions for businesses. It has CRM, sales, ERP, mobile apps, and more features. It’s best if you want customer support features to keep track of orders, manage clients, and track leads. You can also choose to add customer service data with records from other clouds. This option starts at $25 per month.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Cloud-Based Software
Need tips to find the best cloud-based software for you? You might want to take a look at these factors first.
First, check how payment works. Most platforms use a pay-per-use method, but others favor subscription-based plans. Next, you want to review their main services and whether they’re fit for your niche. For instance, developers and IT teams are better off with services like AWS and GCP. Salesforce, on the hand, is the best option for online shops and small teams.
You may also want to look at migration support and exit strategies. Some services have a vendor-lock rule that prevents you from moving to other services. Finally, pay some mind to their data management and security policies. You want to make sure your applications are secure and protected. In sum, do your dues and check for the reliability of the service you’re looking at. Check the cloud-based software advantages before making the jump to commit.
Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies continuously evolve and power various processes around us. Similarly, AI is one of the significant growth drivers in the semiconductor industry. It is because AI generates large amounts of data much faster and makes predictions more accurately than humanly possible.
MemryX is a startup focusing on AI processing for edge devices and is creating new technologies to address this emerging market. Let’s take a closer look at MemryX and its future directions.
Company Background
MemryX Inc was established in 2019 by Dr. Wei Lu to create an AI accelerator suitable for Edge devices. Dr. Lu has been an Electrical Engineering and Computer Science professor at the University of Michigan since 2005. He specializes in memory systems, neuromorphic computing, and in-memory computing system. Dr. Lu and his team spent almost three years developing and proving MemryX’s unique approach.
The company’s website lists Dr. Wei Lu as CTO and Co-Founder, while Keith Kressin is the President and CEO. Dr. Mohammed Zidan is the VP of Architecture, and Roger Peene is the company’s VP of Product & Business Development.
Just this March 2025, MemryX has raised $44 million in Series B funding through the support of new and existing investors. Their Series B founding comes at an opportune time of the MemryX’s announcement of the production quality of their MX3 Accelerator chip.
The Target and Flag Plant
Since the start, MemryX’s goal has been to be the leading provider in the edge AI semiconductor market. After all, this industry to projected to grow rapidly over the years because there’s ample demand for low-power and efficient AI accelerators.
Its target has always been industries that need real-time AI processing at the edge, such as automotive, smart devices, healthcare, industrial automation, and IoT.
As mentioned earlier, the company’s flagship product, the MX3 AI Accelerator, has moved beyond initial sampling and is now in full production. Because of this, it has earned industry recognition for its performance and ease of integration. Its innovative dataflow architecture allows developers to deploy complex AI models with minimal energy consumption and latency.
Strategic partnerships, such as its collaboration with the National Semiconductor Hub in Saudi Arabia and membership in the Edge AI Foundation, signal its ambition to expand globally while shaping the standards of the edge AI ecosystem.
The Challenge
Because of the rapid adoption of AI, there’s a challenge to have powerful models out of the cloud and into the real world without being overwhelming to devices in terms of not only power but also heat and complexity.
That said, CPUs, GPUs, and other traditional processors may not be ideal for real-time use beyond their use for training models. With that in mind, MemryX may find various challenges:
- High power consumption. A lot of accelerators drain too much energy, limiting their use in mobile or embedded devices.
- Latency issues. Cloud-based AI introduces delays that are unacceptable for applications like autonomous driving or medical imaging.
- Complex deployment. Running models on diverse hardware often requires extensive optimization and developer expertise.
- Scalability concerns. As models grow larger, businesses need solutions that can keep pace without ballooning costs.
Amid these challenges, MemryX saw an opportunity. It found a way to build a chip architecture with a dataflow-driven design, making edge AI both scalable and accessible.
Conclusion
The successful Series B funding in 2025 and partnerships with organizations like the National Semiconductor Hub in Saudi Arabia and the Edge AI Foundation show that MemryX is no longer just an emerging startup. It is an influential player with global ambitions. Recognition, such as the 2025 Edge AI and Vision Product of the Year Award, further validates its technology and market impact.
In short, MemryX has planted its flag as a serious contender in the semiconductor space, turning vision into execution and execution into momentum.
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John
July 3, 2018 at 4:36 am
You really should be exhausting your tower cooler to the rear. It might cover your 1st ram slot but you wouldn’t be choking your cpu on hot air…