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 vs GeForce RTX 3050 6GB 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 vs GeForce RTX 3050 6GB: 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

2016

Why buy it

✅43.3% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅33.3% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (8 GB vs 6 GB).

Trade-offs

❌No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
❌2016 hardware with 8 GB of VRAM already sits in legacy territory for modern games.
❌
254.4% HIGHER MSRP
$599 MSRPvs$169 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 26.1 vs 63.6 G3D/$ ($599 MSRP vs $169 MSRP).
❌157.1% higher power demand at 180W vs 70W.

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

2024

Why buy it

✅Costs $430 less on MSRP ($169 MSRP vs $599 MSRP).
✅Delivers 144.1% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 63.6 vs 26.1 G3D/$ ($169 MSRP vs $599 MSRP).
✅Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
✅Better long-term bet: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.
✅Draws 70W instead of 180W, a 110W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce GTX 1080 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 6 GB vs 8 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

GeForce GTX 1080 is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 43.3% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 45.2% in PassMark G3D (15,609 vs 10,749), so the answer here is pretty clean.

Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB 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, 18 vs 0 ray-tracing units, and a newer 2024 generation instead of 2016. That gives it the more rounded hardware package for newer games.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB makes the most sense to buy today. It is $430 cheaper on MSRP at $169 vs $599, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 144.1% (63.6 vs 26.1), which is enough to swing the recommendation its way. GeForce GTX 1080 still makes more sense if max raw gaming performance matters more than value.

GeForce GTX 1080 vs GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Technical Specifications

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

GeForce GTX 1080

The GeForce GTX 1080 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 27 2016. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 1607 MHz to 1733 MHz. It has 2560 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 180W. Manufactured using 16 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 15,609 points. Launch price was $599.

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in February 2 2024. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1042 MHz to 1470 MHz. It has 2304 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 70W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 18 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 10,749 points. Launch price was $179.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTX 1080 scores 15,609 versus the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB's 10,749 — the GeForce GTX 1080 leads by 45.2%. The GeForce GTX 1080 is built on Pascal while the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB uses Ampere, both on 16 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1080) vs 2,304 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Raw compute: 8.873 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1080) vs 6.774 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Boost clocks: 1733 MHz vs 1470 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1080	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
G3D Mark Score	15,609+45%	10,749
Architecture	Pascal	Ampere
Process Node	16 nm	8 nm
Shading Units	2560+11%	2304
Compute (TFLOPS)	8.873 TFLOPS+31%	6.774 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	1733 MHz+18%	1470 MHz
ROPs	64+100%	32
TMUs	160+122%	72
L1 Cache	0.94 MB	2.3 MB+145%
L2 Cache	2 MB	2 MB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB supports the newer DLSS 2 Super Resolution, whereas the GeForce GTX 1080 is capped at Upscaling support.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1080	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
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 has 8 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB carries 6 GB. GeForce GTX 1080 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) vs 168 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) — a 90.5% advantage for the GeForce GTX 1080. Memory bus width is 256-bit on the GeForce GTX 1080 and 96-bit on the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1080	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
VRAM Capacity	8 GB+33%	6 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5X	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	320 GB/s+90%	168 GB/s
Bus Width	256-bit+167%	96-bit
L2 Cache	2 MB	2 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12.1 (GeForce GTX 1080) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Vulkan: 1.4 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1080	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
DirectX	12.1	12 Ultimate
Vulkan	1.4+8%	1.3
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 6th gen (GeForce GTX 1080) vs NVENC (5th Gen) (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Decoder: NVDEC 3rd gen vs NVDEC (7th Gen). Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC,VP8,VP9,MPEG-2,VC-1 (GeForce GTX 1080) vs H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode Only) (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1080	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
Encoder	NVENC 6th gen	NVENC (5th Gen)
Decoder	NVDEC 3rd gen	NVDEC (7th Gen)
Codecs	H.264,H.265/HEVC,VP8,VP9,MPEG-2,VC-1	H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode Only)

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 1080 draws 180W versus the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB's 70W — a 88% difference. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (GeForce GTX 1080) vs 300W (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Power connectors: 8-pin vs None. Card length: 267mm vs 160mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 75°C.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1080	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
TDP	180W	70W-61%
Recommended PSU	500W	300W-40%
Power Connector	8-pin	None
Length	267mm	160mm
Height	111mm	—
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	75°C	75°C
Perf/Watt	86.7	153.6+77%

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce GTX 1080 came in at $599, while the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB launched at $169. On MSRP, GeForce RTX 3050 6GB was 71.8% cheaper ($430 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 26.1 (GeForce GTX 1080) vs 63.6 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB offers 143.7% better value. The newer card here is GeForce RTX 3050 6GB (2024 vs 2016).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1080	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
MSRP	$599	$169-72%
Performance per Dollar	26.1	63.6+144%
Codename	GP104	GA107
Release	May 27 2016	February 2 2024
Ranking	#137	#252

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