GeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel) vs GeForce RTX 3060

NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel)

2016Core: 1556 MHzBoost: 1734 MHz
GTX family
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VS
NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3060

2021Core: 1320 MHzBoost: 1777 MHz
RTX family
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GeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel) vs GeForce RTX 3060 Performance Spectrum

About G3D Mark

G3D Mark is a standard benchmark that measures graphics performance in real-world gaming scenarios. It simplifies comparing cards from different brands, where higher scores directly correlate with better fps and smoother gaming experiences.

GeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel) vs GeForce RTX 3060 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with Ryzen 7 9800X3D to isolate GPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

GeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel) vs GeForce RTX 3060: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each GPU makes more sense in practice: raw FPS, VRAM, features, power draw, pricing, and long-term headroom.

GeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel)

2016

Why buy it

  • +56.2% higher PassMark G3D performance.
  • 33.3% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (16 GB vs 12 GB).

Trade-offs

  • Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3060 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
  • Older hardware, 16 GB of VRAM, and weaker feature support mean it will age faster in newer AAA releases.
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 51.7 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
  • 76.5% higher power demand at 300W vs 170W.

GeForce RTX 3060

2021

Why buy it

  • 52.7% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 51.7 vs 0 G3D/$ ($329 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
  • Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
  • Better long-term bet: Ampere on 8nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.
  • Draws 170W instead of 300W, a 130W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark G3D performance (16,995 vs 26,543).
  • Less VRAM, with 12 GB vs 16 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?
GeForce RTX 3060 is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 52.7% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data. PassMark G3D leans toward GeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel) instead at 26,543 vs 16,995, so for this question the real-game FPS result matters more than the synthetic split.
Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?
GeForce RTX 3060 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: the newer upscaling stack, DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack, a 8nm process instead of 16nm, 28 vs 0 ray-tracing units, and a newer 2021 generation instead of 2016. That gives it the more rounded hardware package for newer games.
Which GPU is the better buy today?
GeForce RTX 3060 makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup.

GeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel) vs GeForce RTX 3060 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel)

The GeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel) is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in August 16 2016. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 1556 MHz to 1734 MHz. It has 5120 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 300W. Manufactured using 16 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 26,543 points.

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3060

The GeForce RTX 3060 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 12 2021. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1320 MHz to 1777 MHz. It has 3584 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 170W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 28 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 16,995 points. Launch price was $329.

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel) scores 26,543 versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 16,995 — the GeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel) leads by 56.2%. The GeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel) is built on Pascal while the GeForce RTX 3060 uses Ampere, both on 16 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 5,120 (GeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel)) vs 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060). Boost clocks: 1734 MHz vs 1777 MHz.

FeatureGeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel)GeForce RTX 3060
G3D Mark Score
26,543+56%
16,995
Architecture
Pascal
Ampere
Process Node
16 nm
8 nm
Shading Units
5120+43%
3584
Boost Clock
1734 MHz
1777 MHz+2%

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce RTX 3060 supports the newer DLSS 2 Super Resolution, whereas the GeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel) is capped at Upscaling support.

FeatureGeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel)GeForce RTX 3060
Upscaling Tech
Upscaling support
DLSS 2 Super Resolution
Frame Generation
Not Supported
Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction
No
No
Low Latency
NVIDIA Reflex
NVIDIA Reflex
💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel) has 16 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3060 carries 12 GB. GeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel) gives you 33.3% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bandwidth: 320 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel)) vs 360 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060) — a 12.5% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3060. Memory bus width is 256-bit on the GeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel) and 192-bit on the GeForce RTX 3060.

FeatureGeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel)GeForce RTX 3060
VRAM Capacity
16 GB+33%
12 GB
Memory Type
GDDR5X
GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth
320 GB/s
360 GB/s+13%
Bus Width
256-bit+33%
192-bit
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12.1 (GeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel)) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060). Vulkan: 1.2 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 1 vs 4.

FeatureGeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel)GeForce RTX 3060
DirectX
12.1
12 Ultimate
Vulkan
1.2
1.3+8%
OpenGL
4.6
4.6
Max Displays
1
4+300%
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: 6th Gen NVENC (2x) (GeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel)) vs NVENC 7th Gen (GeForce RTX 3060). Decoder: 4th Gen NVDEC vs NVDEC 5th Gen. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC (GeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel)) vs AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060).

FeatureGeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel)GeForce RTX 3060
Encoder
6th Gen NVENC (2x)
NVENC 7th Gen
Decoder
4th Gen NVDEC
NVDEC 5th Gen
Codecs
MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC
AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel) draws 300W versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 170W — a 55.3% difference. The GeForce RTX 3060 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 650W (GeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel)) vs 550W (GeForce RTX 3060). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs 8-pin. Card length: 0mm vs 242mm, occupying 0 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 85°C vs 75.

FeatureGeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel)GeForce RTX 3060
TDP
300W
170W-43%
Recommended PSU
650W
550W-15%
Power Connector
PCIe-powered
8-pin
Length
0mm
242mm
Height
0mm
112mm
Slots
0-100%
2
Temp (Load)
85°C
75-12%
Perf/Watt
88.5
100.0+13%
💰

Value Analysis

The newer card here is GeForce RTX 3060 (2021 vs 2016).

FeatureGeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel)GeForce RTX 3060
MSRP
$329
Codename
Pascal GP104 SLI
GA106
Release
August 16 2016
January 12 2021
Ranking
#162
#114

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