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 RTX 2080 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 RTX 2080 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 RTX 2080

2018

Why buy it

✅5.6% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅228.6% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (368 vs 112).

Trade-offs

❌Less VRAM, with 8 GB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌GeForce RTX 3060 is the safer long-term pick here because the hardware is newer and the feature stack is stronger.
❌
112.5% HIGHER MSRP
$699 MSRPvs$329 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 26.7 vs 51.7 G3D/$ ($699 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
❌26.5% higher power demand at 215W vs 170W.

GeForce RTX 3060

2021

Why buy it

✅Costs $370 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $699 MSRP).
✅Delivers 93.3% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 51.7 vs 26.7 G3D/$ ($329 MSRP vs $699 MSRP).
✅51.8% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 8 GB).
✅Better long-term bet: Ampere on 8nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.
✅Draws 170W instead of 215W, a 45W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 2080 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (112 vs 368), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

GeForce RTX 2080 is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 5.6% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 9.9% in PassMark G3D (18,676 vs 16,995), so the answer here is pretty clean.

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: 12 GB vs 8 GB of VRAM, a 8nm process instead of 12nm, and a newer 2021 generation instead of 2018. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

GeForce RTX 3060 makes the most sense to buy today. It is $370 cheaper on MSRP at $329 vs $699, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 93.3% (51.7 vs 26.7), which is enough to swing the recommendation its way. GeForce RTX 2080 still makes more sense if max raw gaming performance matters more than value.

GeForce RTX 2080 vs GeForce RTX 3060 Technical Specifications

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

GeForce RTX 2080

The GeForce RTX 2080 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in September 20 2018. It features the Turing architecture. The core clock ranges from 1515 MHz to 1710 MHz. It has 2944 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 215W. Manufactured using 12 nm process technology. It features 46 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 18,676 points. Launch price was $699.

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 RTX 2080 scores 18,676 versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 16,995 — the GeForce RTX 2080 leads by 9.9%. The GeForce RTX 2080 is built on Turing while the GeForce RTX 3060 uses Ampere, both on 12 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 2,944 (GeForce RTX 2080) vs 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060). Raw compute: 10.07 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 2080) vs 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060). Boost clocks: 1710 MHz vs 1777 MHz. Ray tracing: 46 RT cores (GeForce RTX 2080) vs 28 (GeForce RTX 3060) with 368 Tensor cores vs 112.

Feature	GeForce RTX 2080	GeForce RTX 3060
G3D Mark Score	18,676+10%	16,995
Architecture	Turing	Ampere
Process Node	12 nm	8 nm
Shading Units	2944	3584+22%
Compute (TFLOPS)	10.07 TFLOPS	12.74 TFLOPS+27%
Boost Clock	1710 MHz	1777 MHz+4%
ROPs	64+33%	48
TMUs	184+64%	112
L1 Cache	2.9 MB	3.5 MB+21%
L2 Cache	4 MB+33%	3 MB
Ray Tracing Cores	46+64%	28
Tensor Cores	368+229%	112

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce RTX 2080	GeForce RTX 3060
Upscaling Tech	DLSS 2 Super Resolution	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 RTX 2080 has 8 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3060 carries 12 GB. GeForce RTX 3060 gives you 51.8% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bandwidth: 448 GB/s (GeForce RTX 2080) vs 360 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060) — a 24.4% advantage for the GeForce RTX 2080. Memory bus width is 256-bit on the GeForce RTX 2080 and 192-bit on the GeForce RTX 3060. L2 Cache: 4 MB (GeForce RTX 2080) vs 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060) — the GeForce RTX 2080 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 2080	GeForce RTX 3060
VRAM Capacity	7.906 GB	12 GB+52%
Memory Type	GDDR6	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	448 GB/s+24%	360 GB/s
Bus Width	256-bit+33%	192-bit
L2 Cache	4 MB+33%	3 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12.1 (GeForce RTX 2080) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060). Vulkan: 1.2 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce RTX 2080	GeForce RTX 3060
DirectX	12.1	12 Ultimate
Vulkan	1.2	1.3+8%
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: 6th Gen NVENC (GeForce RTX 2080) vs NVENC 7th Gen (GeForce RTX 3060). Decoder: 4th Gen NVDEC vs NVDEC 5th Gen. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC (GeForce RTX 2080) vs AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060).

Feature	GeForce RTX 2080	GeForce RTX 3060
Encoder	6th Gen NVENC	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 RTX 2080 draws 215W versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 170W — a 23.4% difference. The GeForce RTX 3060 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 650W (GeForce RTX 2080) vs 550W (GeForce RTX 3060). Power connectors: 6-pin + 8-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 267mm vs 242mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 80°C vs 75.

Feature	GeForce RTX 2080	GeForce RTX 3060
TDP	215W	170W-21%
Recommended PSU	650W	550W-15%
Power Connector	6-pin + 8-pin	8-pin
Length	267mm	242mm
Height	116mm	112mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	80°C	75-6%
Perf/Watt	86.9	100.0+15%

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce RTX 2080 came in at $699, while the GeForce RTX 3060 launched at $329. On MSRP, GeForce RTX 3060 was 52.9% cheaper ($370 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 26.7 (GeForce RTX 2080) vs 51.7 (GeForce RTX 3060) — the GeForce RTX 3060 offers 93.6% better value. The newer card here is GeForce RTX 3060 (2021 vs 2018).

Feature	GeForce RTX 2080	GeForce RTX 3060
MSRP	$699	$329-53%
Performance per Dollar	26.7	51.7+94%
Codename	TU104	GA106
Release	September 20 2018	January 12 2021
Ranking	#94	#114

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