GeForce RTX 2080 vs GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 2080

2018Core: 1515 MHzBoost: 1710 MHz
RTX family
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VS
NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU

2022Core: 1320 MHzBoost: 1777 MHz
RTX family
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GeForce RTX 2080 vs GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU 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 RTX 2080 vs GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU 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 Laptop GPU: 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

  • 18.0% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 26.7 vs 0 G3D/$ ($699 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
  • 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).
  • 31.8% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (8 GB vs 6 GB).

Trade-offs

  • GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is the safer long-term pick here because the hardware is newer and the feature stack is stronger.
  • 26.5% higher power demand at 215W vs 170W.

GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU

2022

Why buy it

  • Better long-term bet: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.
  • Draws 170W instead of 215W, a 45W reduction.
  • More future proof: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

  • Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 2080 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Less VRAM, with 6 GB vs 8 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (112 vs 368), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 26.7 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $699 MSRP).

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 18.0% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 41.8% in PassMark G3D (18,676 vs 13,170), so the answer here is pretty clean.
Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?
GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: a 8nm process instead of 12nm and a newer 2022 generation instead of 2018. That makes it the less risky pick as game demands keep moving.
Which GPU is the better buy today?
GeForce RTX 2080 makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and lighter 1440p, GeForce RTX 2080 is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and lighter 1440p headroom, GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce RTX 2080 vs GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU Technical Specifications

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

NVIDIA

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.

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU

The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU 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: 13,170 points.

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 2080 scores 18,676 versus the GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU's 13,170 — the GeForce RTX 2080 leads by 41.8%. The GeForce RTX 2080 is built on Turing while the GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU uses Ampere, both on 12 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 2,944 (GeForce RTX 2080) vs 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU). Raw compute: 10.07 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 2080) vs 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU). Boost clocks: 1710 MHz vs 1777 MHz. Ray tracing: 46 RT cores (GeForce RTX 2080) vs 28 (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) with 368 Tensor cores vs 112.

FeatureGeForce RTX 2080GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU
G3D Mark Score
18,676+42%
13,170
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)

FeatureGeForce RTX 2080GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU
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 Laptop GPU carries 6 GB. GeForce RTX 2080 gives you 31.8% 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 336 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) — a 33.3% 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 Laptop GPU. L2 Cache: 4 MB (GeForce RTX 2080) vs 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) — the GeForce RTX 2080 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

FeatureGeForce RTX 2080GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU
VRAM Capacity
7.906 GB+32%
6 GB
Memory Type
GDDR6
GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth
448 GB/s+33%
336 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 Laptop GPU). Vulkan: 1.2 vs 1.4. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

FeatureGeForce RTX 2080GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU
DirectX
12.1
12 Ultimate
Vulkan
1.2
1.4+17%
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 Laptop GPU). Decoder: 4th Gen NVDEC vs NVDEC (5th Gen). Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC (GeForce RTX 2080) vs H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode),VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU).

FeatureGeForce RTX 2080GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU
Encoder
6th Gen NVENC
NVENC (7th Gen)
Decoder
4th Gen NVDEC
NVDEC (5th Gen)
Codecs
MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC
H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode),VP9
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 2080 draws 215W versus the GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU's 170W — a 23.4% difference. The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 650W (GeForce RTX 2080) vs 500W (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU). Power connectors: 6-pin + 8-pin vs Mobile. Typical load temperature: 80°C vs 75°C.

FeatureGeForce RTX 2080GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU
TDP
215W
170W-21%
Recommended PSU
650W
500W-23%
Power Connector
6-pin + 8-pin
Mobile
Length
267mm
Height
116mm
Slots
2
Temp (Load)
80°C
75°C-6%
Perf/Watt
86.9+12%
77.5
💰

Value Analysis

The newer card here is GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU (2022 vs 2018).

FeatureGeForce RTX 2080GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU
MSRP
$699
Codename
TU104
GA106
Release
September 20 2018
October 12 2022
Ranking
#94
#147

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