There is an EVGA forum post similar to my question, but a little different being that I have a different card I am stepping up from. So I am looking for input from the community since the nitty-gritty hard tech spec comparison between these 2 cards is a little above my computer knowledge.
 
I currently have 17 more days on my 1080 Ti to make my decision to start the process of being in the queue or else I lose out on the option to do so.
 
Further info to disclose, I use this card predominately for 4K editing through premiere pro, with after effects and a graphic design work load as well. With the occasional new game releases usage on this card. Not sure if that makes a huge difference between the 2 generations i'm debating on, but i just thought i'd put that out there.
 
Lastly, I get that mine is water cooled, so performance will be different in comparison to the RTX variant in question, but my intention is to purchase the hybrid mount when ever that releases for that card or sell the 2080 if EVGA releases a variant similar to my current card to eliminate any DIY steps I would have to do myself.
 
Looking forward to the discussions!

I would say No, you will Drop in CUDA Cores going from a GTX 1080 Ti to a RTX 2080
Not only a drop in CUDA Cores but also a 3GB Drop in Memory 11264 MB, 352 bit GDDR6 -v- 8192 MB, 256 bit GDDR6
You now have 11264 MB, 352 bit GDDR5X on your Card
If you want to Step-Up then Step-Up to the RTX 2080 Ti Graphics Cards.
EVGA GeForce RTX 2080 Ti XC BLACK EDITION GAMING, 11G-P4-2282-KR, 11GB GDDR6, Dual HDB Fans & RGB LED (11G-P4-2282-KR) (PDF)

you have to devide for yourself… 1080 Ti: 11 GB Memory vs 8 GB Memory 2080... 2080: 75% of raytracing Performance 2080 Ti has, and games will be optimized for 1080p 60 fps on 2080 Ti, so you can expect there 1080p 45 fps.... and DLSS was tested in a YouTube Video where they said 2160p DLSS Looks the same like 1800p and has the same Performance, so it is probably not such a big Thing, Nvidia wants us to think it would be. If you don´t wanna pay for 2080 Ti step up I would say  55/45 for 2080 step up since all in all it is the newer Generation and newer tech… For a new Card I would Maybe prefer a cheaper 1080 Ti from eBay, but a step up… 2080 could also be okay if you don´t plan to Keep it for 4 years when Maybe 8 GB Memory wont be enough at 4k.

Most posts are completely ignoring DLSS, tensor cores in the 2080. If you do not play main stream games then DLSS will probably not matter. If you do play main stream games many will have DLSS.   The 2080 has more future potential. I have two 1080ti SC black in step-up to the 2080. Costs me $40 each to step-up. 
I have to agree that the hybrid card makes it a harder decision.

AxBetterxPlayer

M1aSocom2
Most posts are completely ignoring DLSS, tensor cores in the 2080. If you do not play main stream games then DLSS will probably not matter. If you do play main stream games many will have DLSS.   The 2080 has more future potential. I have two 1080ti SC black in step-up to the 2080. Costs me $40 each to step-up. 
I have to agree that the hybrid card makes it a harder decision.

Except, DLSS looks worse.  Great, higher frame rates and lower quality picture.  Have seem some pretty good comparisons between the two, dlss blurs more and bleaches from the bright spots.   I mean, you can just shut off your anti-aliasing too if you want to crank your frames ... 
 

Sure at 4k DLSS starts at a 1440p and scales up. IF you are using a 4k monitor than DLSS may not be as good. But, if you are at 1440p or less than DLSS is actually better. Most people are running at 1440p or 1080p, so at those resolutions DLSS is going to be a nice upgrade on visuals and fps. I use a 1440p 165hz monitor, so DLSS should be a benefit in my setup.
Correction: no DLSS at 1080p, which makes since anyway. 

Lokator

M1aSocom2

AxBetterxPlayer

M1aSocom2
Most posts are completely ignoring DLSS, tensor cores in the 2080. If you do not play main stream games then DLSS will probably not matter. If you do play main stream games many will have DLSS.   The 2080 has more future potential. I have two 1080ti SC black in step-up to the 2080. Costs me $40 each to step-up. 
I have to agree that the hybrid card makes it a harder decision.

Except, DLSS looks worse.  Great, higher frame rates and lower quality picture.  Have seem some pretty good comparisons between the two, dlss blurs more and bleaches from the bright spots.   I mean, you can just shut off your anti-aliasing too if you want to crank your frames ... 
 

Sure at 4k DLSS starts at a 1440p and scales up. IF you are using a 4k monitor than DLSS may not be as good. But, if you are at 1440p or less than DLSS is actually better. Most people are running at 1440p or 1080p, so at those resolutions DLSS is going to be a nice upgrade on visuals and fps. I use a 1440p 165hz monitor, so DLSS should be a benefit in my setup.
Correction: no DLSS at 1080p, which makes since anyway. 

Wrong. For the beginning DLSS is only planned for 4k. It is for making 4K possible at playable framerates. 1440p doesn’t even need it because there you have high fps. They have to let their super computers learn it extra for 1440p and nvidia said somewhere that it is first only learned for 4K. Not sure if 1440p is even planned. Also I saw a test where DLSS at 4K looks the same like 1800p scaled up to 2160p and has same FPS. So it’s just marketing and nothing really we need.

Also at 1440p DLSS would be original 720p scaled up with special algorithm from super computer.

Only interesting is DLSS 2x where you have native resolution and better anti aliasing, but first we have to see if even one important game will have that and 2nd that won’t give higher FPS, that will maybe lower fps even more, so also nothing too special.

Than what is this: 
Demos and examples showing DLSS running on 1440p are pretty common on review sites. I understand it is intended for 4k as higher fps is the goal, but it does work at 1440p.

M1aSocom2

AxBetterxPlayer

M1aSocom2
Most posts are completely ignoring DLSS, tensor cores in the 2080. If you do not play main stream games then DLSS will probably not matter. If you do play main stream games many will have DLSS.   The 2080 has more future potential. I have two 1080ti SC black in step-up to the 2080. Costs me $40 each to step-up. 
I have to agree that the hybrid card makes it a harder decision.

Except, DLSS looks worse.  Great, higher frame rates and lower quality picture.  Have seem some pretty good comparisons between the two, dlss blurs more and bleaches from the bright spots.   I mean, you can just shut off your anti-aliasing too if you want to crank your frames ... 
 

Sure at 4k DLSS starts at a 1440p and scales up. IF you are using a 4k monitor than DLSS may not be as good. But, if you are at 1440p or less than DLSS is actually better. Most people are running at 1440p or 1080p, so at those resolutions DLSS is going to be a nice upgrade on visuals and fps. I use a 1440p 165hz monitor, so DLSS should be a benefit in my setup.
Correction: no DLSS at 1080p, which makes since anyway. 

Well despite the posts that follow (and are solid) I game at 4k atm.   Running a 1080ti SC2 hybrid, I run at 4k ultra settings solid 60fps in every game I play.  
 
I have looked at a few of the side by side dlss videos and it clearly is a lower quality image than TAA @4K.  Which I mean, great more frames, but you could just turn down / off your AA if you want a slightly worse image and more frames.