GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
GeForce RTX 3080
GeForce RTX 3050 6GB vs GeForce RTX 3080 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 3050 6GB vs GeForce RTX 3080 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.
Path of Exile 2
Counter-Strike 2
League of Legends
Valorant
Among Us
Apex Legends
ARC Raiders
Baldur's Gate 3
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
GeForce RTX 3050 6GB vs GeForce RTX 3080: 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
2024Why buy it
- ✅Costs $530 less on MSRP ($169 MSRP vs $699 MSRP).
- ✅Delivers 77.3% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 63.6 vs 35.9 G3D/$ ($169 MSRP vs $699 MSRP).
- ✅Draws 70W instead of 320W, a 250W reduction.
- ✅Measures 160mm instead of 285mm, a 125mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.
Trade-offs
- ❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3080 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
- ❌Less VRAM, with 6 GB vs 10 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
- ❌Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (72 vs 272), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.
GeForce RTX 3080
2020Why buy it
- ✅125.9% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
- ✅277.8% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (272 vs 72).
- ✅66.7% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (10 GB vs 6 GB).
Trade-offs
- ❌313.6% HIGHER MSRP$699 MSRPvs$169 MSRP
- ❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 35.9 vs 63.6 G3D/$ ($699 MSRP vs $169 MSRP).
- ❌357.1% higher power demand at 320W vs 70W.
- ❌78.1% longer card at 285mm vs 160mm.
Quick Answers
Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?
Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?
Which GPU is the better buy today?
GeForce RTX 3050 6GB vs GeForce RTX 3080 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
The GeForce RTX 3080 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in September 1 2020. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1440 MHz to 1710 MHz. It has 8704 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 320W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 68 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 25,071 points. Launch price was $699.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB scores 10,749 versus the GeForce RTX 3080's 25,071 — the GeForce RTX 3080 leads by 133.2%. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is built on Ampere while the GeForce RTX 3080 uses Ampere, both on a 8 nm process. Shader units: 2,304 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 8,704 (GeForce RTX 3080). Raw compute: 6.774 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 29.77 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3080). Boost clocks: 1470 MHz vs 1710 MHz. Ray tracing: 18 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 68 (GeForce RTX 3080) with 72 Tensor cores vs 272.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 6GB | GeForce RTX 3080 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 10,749 | 25,071+133% |
| Architecture | Ampere | Ampere |
| Process Node | 8 nm | 8 nm |
| Shading Units | 2304 | 8704+278% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 6.774 TFLOPS | 29.77 TFLOPS+339% |
| Boost Clock | 1470 MHz | 1710 MHz+16% |
| ROPs | 32 | 96+200% |
| TMUs | 72 | 272+278% |
| L1 Cache | 2.3 MB | 8.5 MB+270% |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB | 5 MB+150% |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 18 | 68+278% |
| Tensor Cores | 72 | 272+278% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 6GB | GeForce RTX 3080 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 carries 10 GB. GeForce RTX 3080 gives you 66.7% 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 760 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3080) — a 352.4% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3080. Memory bus width is 96-bit on the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB and 320-bit on the GeForce RTX 3080. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 5 MB (GeForce RTX 3080) — the GeForce RTX 3080 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 6GB | GeForce RTX 3080 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 6 GB | 10 GB+67% |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR6X |
| Memory Bandwidth | 168 GB/s | 760 GB/s+352% |
| Bus Width | 96-bit | 320-bit+233% |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB | 5 MB+150% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 12 Ultimate (12_2) (GeForce RTX 3080). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 6GB | GeForce RTX 3080 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 Ultimate | 12 Ultimate (12_2) |
| Vulkan | 1.3 | 1.3 |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 4 | 4 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: NVENC (5th Gen) (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs NVENC (Ampere) (GeForce RTX 3080). Decoder: NVDEC (7th Gen) vs NVDEC (Ampere). Supported codecs: H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode Only) (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs H.264,H.265,VP9,AV1 (GeForce RTX 3080).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 6GB | GeForce RTX 3080 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC (5th Gen) | NVENC (Ampere) |
| Decoder | NVDEC (7th Gen) | NVDEC (Ampere) |
| Codecs | H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode Only) | H.264,H.265,VP9,AV1 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB draws 70W versus the GeForce RTX 3080's 320W — a 128.2% difference. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 300W (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 750W (GeForce RTX 3080). Power connectors: None vs 2x 8-pin. Card length: 160mm vs 285mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 75.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 6GB | GeForce RTX 3080 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 70W-78% | 320W |
| Recommended PSU | 300W-60% | 750W |
| Power Connector | None | 2x 8-pin |
| Length | 160mm | 285mm |
| Height | — | 112mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 75°C | 75 |
| Perf/Watt | 153.6+96% | 78.3 |
Value Analysis
At launch, the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB came in at $169, while the GeForce RTX 3080 launched at $699. On MSRP, GeForce RTX 3050 6GB was 75.8% cheaper ($530 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 63.6 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 35.9 (GeForce RTX 3080) — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB offers 77.2% better value. The newer card here is GeForce RTX 3050 6GB (2024 vs 2020).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 6GB | GeForce RTX 3080 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $169-76% | $699 |
| Performance per Dollar | 63.6+77% | 35.9 |
| Codename | GA107 | GA102 |
| Release | February 2 2024 | September 1 2020 |
| Ranking | #252 | #41 |
Affiliate Disclosure
ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.
Top Performing GPUs
The most powerful gpus ranked by G3D Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar GPU comparisons based on GeForce RTX 3050 6GB and GeForce RTX 3080
