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 3060 12GB vs GeForce RTX 3080 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 3060 12GB vs GeForce RTX 3080 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 3060 12GB

2022

Why buy it

✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 51.0 vs 0 G3D/$ ($329 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
✅50% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 8 GB).
✅More future proof: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (280 vs 320), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.

GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU

2021

Why buy it

✅3.7% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅14.3% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (320 vs 280).

Trade-offs

❌Less VRAM, with 8 GB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 51.0 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 3.7% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data. PassMark G3D leans toward GeForce RTX 3060 12GB instead at 16,777 vs 16,233, so for this question the real-game FPS result matters more than the synthetic split.

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

GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 12 GB vs 8 GB of VRAM and a newer 2022 generation instead of 2021. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

GeForce RTX 3060 12GB makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup. GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU still makes more sense if max raw gaming performance matters more than value.

GeForce RTX 3060 12GB vs GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU Technical Specifications

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

GeForce RTX 3060 12GB

The GeForce RTX 3060 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: 16,777 points. Launch price was $799.

GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU

The GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 31 2021. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1365 MHz to 1665 MHz. It has 10240 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 350W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 80 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 16,233 points. Launch price was $1,199.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB scores 16,777 and the GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU reaches 16,233 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 3.4% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is built on Ampere while the GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU uses Ampere, both on a 8 nm process. Shader units: 8,960 (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) vs 10,240 (GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU). Raw compute: 30.64 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) vs 34.1 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU). Boost clocks: 1710 MHz vs 1665 MHz. Ray tracing: 70 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) vs 80 (GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU) with 280 Tensor cores vs 320.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 12GB	GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU
G3D Mark Score	16,777+3%	16,233
Architecture	Ampere	Ampere
Process Node	8 nm	8 nm
Shading Units	8960	10240+14%
Compute (TFLOPS)	30.64 TFLOPS	34.1 TFLOPS+11%
Boost Clock	1710 MHz+3%	1665 MHz
ROPs	96	112+17%
TMUs	280	320+14%
L1 Cache	8.8 MB	10 MB+14%
L2 Cache	6 MB	6 MB
Ray Tracing Cores	70	80+14%
Tensor Cores	280	320+14%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 12GB	GeForce RTX 3080 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 3060 12GB has 12 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU carries 8 GB. GeForce RTX 3060 12GB gives you 50% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bandwidth: 360 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) vs 448 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU) — a 24.4% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU. Memory bus width is 192-bit on the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB and 256-bit on the GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 12GB	GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU
VRAM Capacity	12 GB+50%	8 GB
Memory Type	GDDR6	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	360 GB/s	448 GB/s+24%
Bus Width	192-bit	256-bit+33%
L2 Cache	6 MB	6 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) vs 12.2 (GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.2. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 12GB	GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU
DirectX	12 Ultimate	12.2+2%
Vulkan	1.3+8%	1.2
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) vs 7th Gen NVENC (GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU). Decoder: NVDEC 5th gen vs 5th Gen NVDEC. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (Decode) (GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 12GB	GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU
Encoder	NVENC 7th gen	7th Gen NVENC
Decoder	NVDEC 5th gen	5th Gen NVDEC
Codecs	H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (Decode)

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB draws 350W versus the GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU's 350W — a 0% difference. The GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) vs 650W (GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU). Power connectors: 8-pin vs Mobile. Card length: 242mm vs 0mm, occupying 2 vs 0 slots. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 80°C.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 12GB	GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU
TDP	350W	350W
Recommended PSU	550W-15%	650W
Power Connector	8-pin	Mobile
Length	242mm	0mm
Height	112mm	0mm
Slots	2	0-100%
Temp (Load)	75°C-6%	80°C
Perf/Watt	47.9+3%	46.4

💰

Value Analysis

The newer card here is GeForce RTX 3060 12GB (2022 vs 2021).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 12GB	GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU
MSRP	$329	—
Codename	GA102	GA102
Release	January 11 2022	May 31 2021
Ranking	#38	#33

Search GeForce RTX 3060 12GB on Amazon

Search GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU on Amazon

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.