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 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).

GeForce RTX 3060 12GB

2022

GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU

2021

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.

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

❌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.

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

So, is GeForce RTX 3060 12GB better than GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU?

Yes, but this is not really about a huge raw performance gap. GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU averages 3.7% more FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data. The broader synthetic picture is also very close at 16,777 vs 16,233 in G3D Mark. The bigger reason to prefer GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is the overall package: you are getting a newer generation, DLSS Super Resolution.

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

GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer 2022 generation instead of 2021 and more VRAM at 12 GB instead of 8 GB. That extra memory headroom makes it the safer pick for newer games, heavier textures, and higher settings over time.

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

GeForce RTX 3060 12GB can still make sense if you find it at the right price, especially around $329 MSRP. GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is still the smarter buy for most people, though, because the raw performance is close while the overall package is cleaner. GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is priced in an unclear MSRP range at $329 MSRP versus an unclear MSRP, and you are getting lower estimated average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and 3.4% higher G3D Mark. Moving to $329 MSRP gets you newer hardware, and DLSS Super Resolution.

Is GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU still worth buying for gaming in 2026?

Yes. GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU is still a strong gaming card in 2026: it is very strong for 1080p, good for 1440p, and more limited at 4K. Price is really the swing factor here. If you find it at or below an unclear MSRP, it remains a very sensible buy. GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is still the safer recommendation for most fresh builds because it offers a cleaner overall package with newer hardware and DLSS Super Resolution.

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 3060 12GB Benchmark Check

GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060 12GB	GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU
1080p
low	166 FPS	199 FPS
medium	151 FPS	182 FPS
high	133 FPS	154 FPS
ultra	113 FPS	128 FPS
1440p
low	139 FPS	175 FPS
medium	116 FPS	145 FPS
high	98 FPS	117 FPS
ultra	85 FPS	102 FPS
4K
low	80 FPS	107 FPS
medium	67 FPS	90 FPS
high	51 FPS	66 FPS
ultra	45 FPS	56 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 12GB Open GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060 12GB	GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU
1080p
low	494 FPS	574 FPS
medium	425 FPS	499 FPS
high	360 FPS	414 FPS
ultra	323 FPS	359 FPS
1440p
low	372 FPS	418 FPS
medium	310 FPS	360 FPS
high	258 FPS	298 FPS
ultra	219 FPS	247 FPS
4K
low	193 FPS	214 FPS
medium	167 FPS	186 FPS
high	144 FPS	156 FPS
ultra	120 FPS	131 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 12GB Open GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060 12GB	GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU
1080p
low	755 FPS	730 FPS
medium	604 FPS	584 FPS
high	503 FPS	487 FPS
ultra	377 FPS	365 FPS
1440p
low	566 FPS	548 FPS
medium	453 FPS	438 FPS
high	377 FPS	365 FPS
ultra	283 FPS	274 FPS
4K
low	377 FPS	365 FPS
medium	302 FPS	292 FPS
high	252 FPS	243 FPS
ultra	189 FPS	183 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 12GB Open GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060 12GB	GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU
1080p
low	445 FPS	730 FPS
medium	396 FPS	584 FPS
high	330 FPS	487 FPS
ultra	288 FPS	365 FPS
1440p
low	366 FPS	548 FPS
medium	328 FPS	438 FPS
high	271 FPS	365 FPS
ultra	231 FPS	274 FPS
4K
low	237 FPS	365 FPS
medium	217 FPS	292 FPS
high	186 FPS	243 FPS
ultra	160 FPS	183 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 12GB Open GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3060 12GB and GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU

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 comes with 12 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU has 8 GB. The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB offers 50% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. 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. Bus width: 192-bit vs 256-bit.

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.