GeForce GTX 1080 vs GeForce RTX 3060 8GB
GeForce GTX 1080
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GeForce RTX 3060 8GB
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Performance Spectrum - GPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (G3D Mark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Per Dollar GeForce RTX 3060 8GB
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB is significantly newer (2022 vs 2016). The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The GeForce GTX 1080 lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce GTX 1080 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 2.6% higher G3D Mark score. This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 1080 | GeForce RTX 3060 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+2.6%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-2.6%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2016 / Pascal (2016−2021)) | 🔮Strong Longevity (Ampere (2020−2025) / 8nm) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | ✨ DLSS 2 Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | 🎮 High Capacity (8 GB) |
| Efficiency | Normal Efficiency | Normal Efficiency |
| Case Fit | Standard Size (267mm) | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce GTX 1080 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $91 versus $280 for the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB, it costs 68% less. While it maintains competitive performance, this results in a 215.8% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 1080 | GeForce RTX 3060 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+215.8%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($91) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($280) |
Performance Check
Real-world benchmarks and performance projections based on comprehensive hardware analysis and comparative metrics. Values represent expected performance on High/Ultra settings at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K. Modeled using a Ryzen 7 7800X3D reference profile to minimize specific CPU bottlenecks.
Note: Performance behavior can vary per game. Specific architectures may perform better or worse depending on game engine optimizations and API implementation.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 1080 and GeForce RTX 3060 8GB
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 3060 8GB
The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in October 12 2022. 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: 15,208 points.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce GTX 1080 scores 15,609 and the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB reaches 15,208 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2.6% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 1080 is built on Pascal while the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB uses Ampere, both on 16 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1080) vs 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060 8GB). Raw compute: 8.873 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1080) vs 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060 8GB). Boost clocks: 1733 MHz vs 1777 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 1080 | GeForce RTX 3060 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 15,609+3% | 15,208 |
| Architecture | Pascal | Ampere |
| Process Node | 16 nm | 8 nm |
| Shading Units | 2560 | 3584+40% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 8.873 TFLOPS | 12.74 TFLOPS+44% |
| Boost Clock | 1733 MHz | 1777 MHz+3% |
| ROPs | 64+33% | 48 |
| TMUs | 160+43% | 112 |
| L1 Cache | 0.94 MB | 3.5 MB+272% |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB | 3 MB+50% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce GTX 1080 | GeForce RTX 3060 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 2.1 (Compatible) | DLSS 2.0 |
| Frame Generation | FSR 3 (Compatible) | FSR 3 / AFMF (Compatible) |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | Standard | NVIDIA Reflex |
Video Memory (VRAM)
Both cards feature 8 GB of video memory. Memory bandwidth: 320 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1080) vs 240 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060 8GB) — a 33.3% advantage for the GeForce GTX 1080. Bus width: 256-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GeForce GTX 1080) vs 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060 8GB) — the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 1080 | GeForce RTX 3060 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5X | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 320 GB/s+33% | 240 GB/s |
| Bus Width | 256-bit+100% | 128-bit |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB | 3 MB+50% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12.1 (GeForce GTX 1080) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060 8GB). Vulkan: 1.4 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 1080 | GeForce RTX 3060 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| 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 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3060 8GB). Decoder: NVDEC 3rd gen vs NVDEC 5th gen. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC,VP8,VP9,MPEG-2,VC-1 (GeForce GTX 1080) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce RTX 3060 8GB).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 1080 | GeForce RTX 3060 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC 6th gen | NVENC 7th gen |
| Decoder | NVDEC 3rd gen | NVDEC 5th gen |
| Codecs | H.264,H.265/HEVC,VP8,VP9,MPEG-2,VC-1 | H.264,H.265/HEVC |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce GTX 1080 draws 180W versus the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB's 170W — a 5.7% difference. The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (GeForce GTX 1080) vs 550W (GeForce RTX 3060 8GB). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 267mm vs 242mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 75°C.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 1080 | GeForce RTX 3060 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 180W | 170W-6% |
| Recommended PSU | 500W-9% | 550W |
| Power Connector | 8-pin | 8-pin |
| Length | 267mm | 242mm |
| Height | 111mm | 112mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 75°C | 75°C |
| Perf/Watt | 86.7 | 89.5+3% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce GTX 1080 launched at $599 MSRP and currently averages $91, while the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB launched at $329 and now averages $280. The GeForce GTX 1080 costs 67.5% less ($189 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 171.5 (GeForce GTX 1080) vs 54.3 (GeForce RTX 3060 8GB) — the GeForce GTX 1080 offers 215.8% better value. The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB is the newer GPU (2022 vs 2016).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 1080 | GeForce RTX 3060 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $599 | $329-45% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $91-68% | $280 |
| Performance per Dollar | 171.5+216% | 54.3 |
| Codename | GP104 | GA106 |
| Release | May 27 2016 | October 12 2022 |
| Ranking | #137 | #147 |
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