Wow, I think the TUF's supremeness among the 4 reviewed AIB models is a bigger deal than the 3080 itself.
Well done ASUS, really. I say this as not a big ASUS fan as they overprice their cards big time and below Strix usually every other model is rubbish, and while Strix models are usually great, there are other brand models that bring the same performance in speed, fan and temps. But this time it kicks ass. 9-13 degrees cooler and only 3 dBA louder than the MSI or the Palit one. And though Zotac was more quiet, don't forget that TUF is about 5% faster than the Zotac card. I don't know what does that quiet BIOS mode mean (it becomes the most quiet out of the 4 in that mode), does it make the card slower? For me, MSI Gaming X Trio is a big disappointment.
This card is better proposition than the FE. Remember with the FE, u have to buy the cable (not cheap: $39.99) to go with it. I'm torned between this card and the Gaming X Trio.
TBH, why are you considering the Gaming X Trio?
It's $30 more, but runs 13 degrees hotter, and it's only quieter by 3 dBA. Given that I prefer MSI cards over the ASUS ones (they are priced even over the MSI ones), and knowing that TUF cards were more like rubbish before, this time TUF is a no brainer among the 4 reviewed AIBs.
If tuf is cheaper than trio, then tuf is definitely a better choice. However, current tuf price is pretty close to trio in America. And trio has better overclock performance. If MSI could unlock the power limit, I think trio would be better than tuf. As for the cooling, I think it is acceptable for both two cards
Well in these reviews the TUF could be OCd by 2,9% and the Gaming X Trio by 2,7%. So even the OC was "better" with the TUF.