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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, raw graphics performance, VRAM, feature set, power efficiency, pricing context, and long-term value so you can see which GPU actually makes more sense.

GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

2022

Why buy it

✅Costs $750 less on MSRP ($249 MSRP vs $999 MSRP).
✅Delivers 32.8% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 47.8 vs 36.0 G3D/$ ($249 MSRP vs $999 MSRP).
✅Draws 130W instead of 360W, a 230W reduction.
✅Measures 235mm instead of 304mm, a 69mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 5080 across 14 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 8 GB vs 16 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌No equivalent frame-generation stack like DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation (2025).
❌Weaker long-term outlook: GeForce RTX 5080 is the safer future-proof pick thanks to newer hardware and better gaming feature support.

GeForce RTX 5080

2025

Why buy it

✅140.6% more average FPS across 14 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Access to a newer frame-generation stack with DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation (2025).
✅100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (16 GB vs 8 GB).
✅More future proof: Blackwell 2.0 (2025−2026) on 5nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌
301.2% HIGHER MSRP
$999 MSRPvs$249 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 36.0 vs 47.8 G3D/$ ($999 MSRP vs $249 MSRP).
❌176.9% higher power demand at 360W vs 130W.
❌29.4% longer card at 304mm vs 235mm.

GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

2022

GeForce RTX 5080

2025

Why buy it

✅Costs $750 less on MSRP ($249 MSRP vs $999 MSRP).
✅Delivers 32.8% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 47.8 vs 36.0 G3D/$ ($249 MSRP vs $999 MSRP).
✅Draws 130W instead of 360W, a 230W reduction.
✅Measures 235mm instead of 304mm, a 69mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Why buy it

✅140.6% more average FPS across 14 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Access to a newer frame-generation stack with DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation (2025).
✅100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (16 GB vs 8 GB).
✅More future proof: Blackwell 2.0 (2025−2026) on 5nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 5080 across 14 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 8 GB vs 16 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌No equivalent frame-generation stack like DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation (2025).
❌Weaker long-term outlook: GeForce RTX 5080 is the safer future-proof pick thanks to newer hardware and better gaming feature support.

Trade-offs

❌
301.2% HIGHER MSRP
$999 MSRPvs$249 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 36.0 vs 47.8 G3D/$ ($999 MSRP vs $249 MSRP).
❌176.9% higher power demand at 360W vs 130W.
❌29.4% longer card at 304mm vs 235mm.

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 5080 better than GeForce RTX 3050 OEM?

Yes. GeForce RTX 5080 is clearly the better overall GPU here. GeForce RTX 5080 averages 140.6% more FPS across 14 tracked games in our benchmark data. You are also looking at 35,924 vs 11,892 in G3D Mark. On top of that, GeForce RTX 5080 is a 2025 card with DLSS 4 + Multi Frame Gen, while GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is a 2022 model from an older generation with DLSS Super Resolution. So this is not really a tight same-tier comparison. It is more a modern card against an older, weaker alternative.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

GeForce RTX 5080 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer 2025 generation instead of 2022, 202.1% more raw performance headroom, more VRAM at 16 GB instead of 8 GB, and better upscaling support with DLSS 4 Super Resolution (2025) instead of DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020) and better frame-generation support with DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation (2025) instead of DLSS Super Resolution. That leaves it with more room for heavier textures, tougher ray tracing loads, and higher-end 1440p or 4K gaming over the next few years.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper card?

GeForce RTX 5080 is about 301.2% more expensive on MSRP at $999 MSRP versus $249 MSRP, and you are getting 140.6% more estimated average FPS across 14 tracked games in our benchmark data and 202.1% higher G3D Mark. GeForce RTX 3050 OEM still holds the G3D-per-dollar lead, so the performance win comes with a real value premium. If you are comfortable paying the premium for the stronger gaming result, GeForce RTX 5080 is the one to buy. If staying closer to budget matters more, GeForce RTX 3050 OEM still makes more sense on price alone and remains capable enough for modern gaming.

Is GeForce RTX 3050 OEM still worth buying for gaming in 2026?

Yes. GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is still a strong gaming GPU in 2026: it is still comfortable for 1080p and decent for 1440p, though 4K is more situational. This mostly comes down to price. If you want to stay closer to $249 MSRP, it remains a strong choice; if you are comfortable paying more, GeForce RTX 5080 earns that extra money with a clearly stronger gaming result and a more complete overall package.

Games Benchmarks

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 9800X3D 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.

GeForce RTX 3050 OEM Benchmark Check

GeForce RTX 5080 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM	GeForce RTX 5080
1080p
low	130 FPS	350 FPS
medium	113 FPS	334 FPS
high	99 FPS	280 FPS
ultra	83 FPS	221 FPS
1440p
low	119 FPS	326 FPS
medium	96 FPS	274 FPS
high	81 FPS	215 FPS
ultra	69 FPS	173 FPS
4K
low	64 FPS	194 FPS
medium	57 FPS	160 FPS
high	39 FPS	121 FPS
ultra	33 FPS	108 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3050 OEM Open GeForce RTX 5080

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM	GeForce RTX 5080
1080p
low	239 FPS	822 FPS
medium	206 FPS	651 FPS
high	164 FPS	511 FPS
ultra	128 FPS	447 FPS
1440p
low	163 FPS	651 FPS
medium	135 FPS	536 FPS
high	112 FPS	434 FPS
ultra	92 FPS	360 FPS
4K
low	88 FPS	360 FPS
medium	74 FPS	306 FPS
high	62 FPS	277 FPS
ultra	49 FPS	234 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3050 OEM Open GeForce RTX 5080

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM	GeForce RTX 5080
1080p
low	535 FPS	944 FPS
medium	428 FPS	772 FPS
high	357 FPS	699 FPS
ultra	268 FPS	604 FPS
1440p
low	401 FPS	731 FPS
medium	321 FPS	598 FPS
high	268 FPS	529 FPS
ultra	201 FPS	452 FPS
4K
low	268 FPS	506 FPS
medium	214 FPS	419 FPS
high	178 FPS	377 FPS
ultra	134 FPS	317 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3050 OEM Open GeForce RTX 5080

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM	GeForce RTX 5080
1080p
low	467 FPS	999 FPS
medium	414 FPS	944 FPS
high	335 FPS	831 FPS
ultra	268 FPS	742 FPS
1440p
low	372 FPS	800 FPS
medium	321 FPS	698 FPS
high	236 FPS	614 FPS
ultra	197 FPS	537 FPS
4K
low	199 FPS	581 FPS
medium	175 FPS	513 FPS
high	150 FPS	457 FPS
ultra	125 FPS	400 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3050 OEM Open GeForce RTX 5080

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3050 OEM and GeForce RTX 5080

GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 4 2022. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1515 MHz to 1755 MHz. It has 2560 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 130W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 20 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 11,892 points.

GeForce RTX 5080

The GeForce RTX 5080 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 30 2025. It features the Blackwell 2.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 2295 MHz to 2617 MHz. It has 10752 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 360W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 84 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 35,924 points. Launch price was $999.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM scores 11,892 versus the GeForce RTX 5080's 35,924 — the GeForce RTX 5080 leads by 202.1%. The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is built on Ampere while the GeForce RTX 5080 uses Blackwell 2.0, both on 8 nm vs 5 nm. Shader units: 2,560 (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM) vs 10,752 (GeForce RTX 5080). Raw compute: 8.986 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM) vs 56.28 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 5080). Boost clocks: 1755 MHz vs 2617 MHz. Ray tracing: 20 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM) vs 84 (GeForce RTX 5080) with 80 Tensor cores vs 336.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM	GeForce RTX 5080
G3D Mark Score	11,892	35,924+202%
Architecture	Ampere	Blackwell 2.0
Process Node	8 nm	5 nm
Shading Units	2560	10752+320%
Compute (TFLOPS)	8.986 TFLOPS	56.28 TFLOPS+526%
Boost Clock	1755 MHz	2617 MHz+49%
ROPs	32	112+250%
TMUs	80	336+320%
L1 Cache	2.5 MB	10.5 MB+320%
L2 Cache	2 MB	64 MB+3100%
Ray Tracing Cores	20	84+320%
Tensor Cores	80	336+320%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

A critical advantage for the GeForce RTX 5080 is support for DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation. This allows it to generate entire frames using AI/Algorithms, essentially doubling the frame rate in CPU-bound scenarios or heavy ray-tracing titles. The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM lacks specific hardware/driver support for this native frame generation tier.The GeForce RTX 5080 supports the newer DLSS 4 Super Resolution, whereas the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is capped at DLSS 2 Super Resolution.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM	GeForce RTX 5080
Upscaling Tech	DLSS 2 Super Resolution	DLSS 4 Super Resolution
Frame Generation	Not Supported	DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation
Ray Reconstruction	No	Yes (DLSS 4)
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	NVIDIA Reflex

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM comes with 8 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 5080 has 16 GB. The GeForce RTX 5080 offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 224 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM) vs 1024 GB/s (GeForce RTX 5080) — a 357.1% advantage for the GeForce RTX 5080. Bus width: 128-bit vs 256-bit. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM) vs 64 MB (GeForce RTX 5080) — the GeForce RTX 5080 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM	GeForce RTX 5080
VRAM Capacity	8 GB	16 GB+100%
Memory Type	GDDR6	GDDR7
Memory Bandwidth	224 GB/s	1024 GB/s+357%
Bus Width	128-bit	256-bit+100%
L2 Cache	2 MB	64 MB+3100%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12.2 (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM) vs 12.2 (GeForce RTX 5080). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.4. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM	GeForce RTX 5080
DirectX	12.2	12.2
Vulkan	1.3	1.4+8%
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: 8th Gen NVENC (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM) vs 9th Gen NVENC (2x) (GeForce RTX 5080). Decoder: 5th Gen NVDEC vs 6th Gen NVDEC. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (Decode) (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (GeForce RTX 5080).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM	GeForce RTX 5080
Encoder	8th Gen NVENC	9th Gen NVENC (2x)
Decoder	5th Gen NVDEC	6th Gen NVDEC
Codecs	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (Decode)	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM draws 130W versus the GeForce RTX 5080's 360W — a 93.9% difference. The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 450W (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM) vs 850W (GeForce RTX 5080). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 16-pin (12VHPWR). Card length: 235mm vs 304mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 80°C.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM	GeForce RTX 5080
TDP	130W-64%	360W
Recommended PSU	450W-47%	850W
Power Connector	8-pin	16-pin (12VHPWR)
Length	235mm	304mm
Height	124mm	137mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	75°C-6%	80°C
Perf/Watt	91.5	99.8+9%

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM launched at $249 MSRP, while the GeForce RTX 5080 launched at $999. The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM costs 75.1% less ($750 savings) on MSRP. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 47.8 (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM) vs 36.0 (GeForce RTX 5080) — the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM offers 32.8% better value. The GeForce RTX 5080 is the newer GPU (2025 vs 2022).