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 3050 6GB vs GeForce RTX 3080 12GB 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 3050 6GB vs GeForce RTX 3080 12GB: 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 3050 6GB

2024

Why buy it

✅Costs $1,081 less on MSRP ($169 MSRP vs $1,250 MSRP).
✅Delivers 199.2% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 63.6 vs 21.3 G3D/$ ($169 MSRP vs $1,250 MSRP).
✅Draws 70W instead of 350W, a 280W reduction.
✅Measures 160mm instead of 285mm, a 125mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3080 12GB across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 6 GB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (72 vs 280), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.
❌GeForce RTX 3080 12GB is the safer long-term pick here because the hardware is newer and the feature stack is stronger.

GeForce RTX 3080 12GB

2022

Why buy it

✅119.2% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅288.9% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (280 vs 72).
✅100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 6 GB).
✅Better long-term bet: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌
639.6% HIGHER MSRP
$1,250 MSRPvs$169 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 21.3 vs 63.6 G3D/$ ($1,250 MSRP vs $169 MSRP).
❌400% higher power demand at 350W vs 70W.
❌78.1% longer card at 285mm vs 160mm.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

GeForce RTX 3080 12GB is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 119.2% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 147.2% in PassMark G3D (26,569 vs 10,749), so the answer here is pretty clean.

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

GeForce RTX 3080 12GB is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 12 GB vs 6 GB of VRAM and 70 vs 18 ray-tracing units. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB makes the most sense to buy today. It is $1,081 cheaper on MSRP at $169 vs $1,250, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 199.2% (63.6 vs 21.3), which is enough to swing the recommendation its way. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and some 1440p, GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and strong 1440p headroom, GeForce RTX 3080 12GB has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB vs GeForce RTX 3080 12GB Technical Specifications

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

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.

GeForce RTX 3080 12GB

The GeForce RTX 3080 12GB is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 11 2022. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1260 MHz to 1710 MHz. It has 8960 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 350W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 70 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 26,569 points. Launch price was $799.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB scores 10,749 versus the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB's 26,569 — the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB leads by 147.2%. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is built on Ampere while the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB uses Ampere, both on a 8 nm process. Shader units: 2,304 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 8,960 (GeForce RTX 3080 12GB). Raw compute: 6.774 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 30.64 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3080 12GB). Boost clocks: 1470 MHz vs 1710 MHz. Ray tracing: 18 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 70 (GeForce RTX 3080 12GB) with 72 Tensor cores vs 280.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	GeForce RTX 3080 12GB
G3D Mark Score	10,749	26,569+147%
Architecture	Ampere	Ampere
Process Node	8 nm	8 nm
Shading Units	2304	8960+289%
Compute (TFLOPS)	6.774 TFLOPS	30.64 TFLOPS+352%
Boost Clock	1470 MHz	1710 MHz+16%
ROPs	32	96+200%
TMUs	72	280+289%
L1 Cache	2.3 MB	8.8 MB+283%
L2 Cache	2 MB	6 MB+200%
Ray Tracing Cores	18	70+289%
Tensor Cores	72	280+289%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	GeForce RTX 3080 12GB
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 3050 6GB has 6 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB carries 12 GB. GeForce RTX 3080 12GB gives you 100% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bandwidth: 168 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 912 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3080 12GB) — a 442.9% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB. Memory bus width is 96-bit on the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB and 384-bit on the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 6 MB (GeForce RTX 3080 12GB) — the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	GeForce RTX 3080 12GB
VRAM Capacity	6 GB	12 GB+100%
Memory Type	GDDR6	GDDR6X
Memory Bandwidth	168 GB/s	912 GB/s+443%
Bus Width	96-bit	384-bit+300%
L2 Cache	2 MB	6 MB+200%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3080 12GB). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.4. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	GeForce RTX 3080 12GB
DirectX	12 Ultimate	12 Ultimate
Vulkan	1.3	1.4+8%
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (5th Gen) (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3080 12GB). Decoder: NVDEC (7th Gen) vs NVDEC 5th gen. Supported codecs: H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode Only) (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 (GeForce RTX 3080 12GB).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	GeForce RTX 3080 12GB
Encoder	NVENC (5th Gen)	NVENC 7th gen
Decoder	NVDEC (7th Gen)	NVDEC 5th gen
Codecs	H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode Only)	H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB draws 70W versus the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB's 350W — a 133.3% difference. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 300W (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 750W (GeForce RTX 3080 12GB). Power connectors: None vs 2x 8-pin. Card length: 160mm vs 285mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 80°C.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	GeForce RTX 3080 12GB
TDP	70W-80%	350W
Recommended PSU	300W-60%	750W
Power Connector	None	2x 8-pin
Length	160mm	285mm
Height	—	112mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	75°C-6%	80°C
Perf/Watt	153.6+102%	75.9

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB came in at $169, while the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB launched at $1250. On MSRP, GeForce RTX 3050 6GB was 86.5% cheaper ($1081 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 63.6 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 21.3 (GeForce RTX 3080 12GB) — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB offers 198.6% better value. The newer card here is GeForce RTX 3050 6GB (2024 vs 2022).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	GeForce RTX 3080 12GB
MSRP	$169-86%	$1250
Performance per Dollar	63.6+199%	21.3
Codename	GA107	GA102
Release	February 2 2024	January 11 2022
Ranking	#252	#38

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