GeForce RTX 3060 8GB vs GeForce GTX 1080

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (G3D Mark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar GeForce RTX 3060 8GB

#25

GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8GB

MSRP: $379|Avg: $379

110%

#26

Radeon RX 7700 XT

MSRP: $449|Avg: $380

110%

#27

GeForce RTX 4060 Ti

MSRP: $399|Avg: $380

110%

#28

Radeon RX 6750 GRE 10GB

MSRP: $269|Avg: $318

109%

#29

Radeon RX 6700 XT

MSRP: $479|Avg: $230

108%

#30

GeForce RTX 3060

MSRP: $329|Avg: $289

108%

#31

Radeon RX 7400

MSRP: $199|Avg: $199

108%

#32

Radeon RX 9060 XT 16 GB

MSRP: $349|Avg: $349

107%

#33

Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB

MSRP: $349|Avg: $349

106%

#34

Radeon RX 5300

MSRP: $129|Avg: $50

104%

#35

GeForce GTX 1650 Ti

MSRP: $150|Avg: $77

102%

#36

Radeon RX 6400

MSRP: $159|Avg: $139

102%

#37

GeForce RTX 3070 Ti

MSRP: $599|Avg: $330

102%

#38

Arc A750

MSRP: $289|Avg: $229

101%

#39

Radeon RX 6800

MSRP: $579|Avg: $370

100%

#40

GeForce RTX 3060 8GB

MSRP: $329|Avg: $280

100%

#41

Radeon RX 6750 XT

MSRP: $549|Avg: $320

99%

#42

GeForce RTX 4070 Ti

MSRP: $799|Avg: $590

99%

#43

GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB

MSRP: $429|Avg: $429

98%

#44

GeForce RTX 5070

MSRP: $549|Avg: $550

97%

#45

Radeon RX 7600 XT

MSRP: $329|Avg: $330

96%

#46

GeForce RTX 2050

MSRP: $150|Avg: $150

95%

#47

GeForce RTX 3080

MSRP: $699|Avg: $400

94%

#48

GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 16GB

MSRP: $499|Avg: $449

93%

#49

Radeon RX 7900 GRE

MSRP: $549|Avg: $540

93%

#50

GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER

MSRP: $599|Avg: $600

92%

#51

Radeon RX 7800 XT

MSRP: $499|Avg: $490

91%

#52

GeForce RTX 3060 12GB

MSRP: $329|Avg: $340

91%

#53

GeForce RTX 4070

MSRP: $599|Avg: $550

90%

#54

Radeon RX 7650 GRE

MSRP: $279|Avg: $380

90%

#55

GeForce RTX 2060 12GB

MSRP: $470|Avg: $120

89%

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Comparison

About G3D Mark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

⚠️ Generational Difference

The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB is significantly newer (2022 vs 2016). The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The GeForce GTX 1080 lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.

🚀 Performance Leadership

The GeForce GTX 1080 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 2.6% higher G3D Mark score. This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB.

Insight	GeForce RTX 3060 8GB	GeForce GTX 1080
Performance	❌Lower raw frame rates (-2.6%)	✅Leading raw performance (+2.6%)
Longevity	🔮Strong Longevity (Ampere (2020−2025) / 8nm)	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2016 / Pascal (2016−2021))
Ecosystem	✨ DLSS 2 Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	🎮 High Capacity (8 GB)	✅ More VRAM (+0%)
Efficiency	Normal Efficiency	Normal Efficiency
Case Fit	📏 Compact / SFF Friendly	Standard Size (267mm)

💎 Value Proposition

The GeForce GTX 1080 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $91 versus $280 for the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB, it costs 68% less. While it maintains competitive performance, this results in a 215.8% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	GeForce RTX 3060 8GB	GeForce GTX 1080
Cost Efficiency	❌Lower cost efficiency	✅Better overall value (+215.8%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($280)	✅More affordable ($91)

Performance Check

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 7800X3D 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 8GB Benchmark Check

GeForce GTX 1080 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3060 8GB and GeForce GTX 1080

GeForce RTX 3060 8GB

The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in October 12 2022. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1320 MHz to 1777 MHz. It has 3584 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 170W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 28 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 15,208 points.

GeForce GTX 1080

The GeForce GTX 1080 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 27 2016. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 1607 MHz to 1733 MHz. It has 2560 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 180W. Manufactured using 16 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 15,609 points. Launch price was $599.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB scores 15,208 and the GeForce GTX 1080 reaches 15,609 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2.6% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB is built on Ampere while the GeForce GTX 1080 uses Pascal, both on 8 nm vs 16 nm. Shader units: 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060 8GB) vs 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1080). Raw compute: 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060 8GB) vs 8.873 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1080). Boost clocks: 1777 MHz vs 1733 MHz.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 8GB	GeForce GTX 1080
G3D Mark Score	15,208	15,609+3%
Architecture	Ampere	Pascal
Process Node	8 nm	16 nm
Shading Units	3584+40%	2560
Compute (TFLOPS)	12.74 TFLOPS+44%	8.873 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	1777 MHz+3%	1733 MHz
ROPs	48	64+33%
TMUs	112	160+43%
L1 Cache	3.5 MB+272%	0.94 MB
L2 Cache	3 MB+50%	2 MB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB gives access to NVIDIA DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), widely regarding as the superior upscaling method for image quality. The GeForce GTX 1080 relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 8GB	GeForce GTX 1080
Upscaling Tech	DLSS 2.0	FSR 2.1 (Compatible)
Frame Generation	FSR 3 / AFMF (Compatible)	FSR 3 (Compatible)
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	Standard

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

Both cards feature 8 GB of video memory. Memory bandwidth: 240 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060 8GB) vs 320 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1080) — a 33.3% advantage for the GeForce GTX 1080. Bus width: 128-bit vs 256-bit. L2 Cache: 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060 8GB) vs 2 MB (GeForce GTX 1080) — the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 8GB	GeForce GTX 1080
VRAM Capacity	8 GB	8 GB
Memory Type	GDDR6	GDDR5X
Memory Bandwidth	240 GB/s	320 GB/s+33%
Bus Width	128-bit	256-bit+100%
L2 Cache	3 MB+50%	2 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060 8GB) vs 12.1 (GeForce GTX 1080). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.4. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 8GB	GeForce GTX 1080
DirectX	12 Ultimate	12.1
Vulkan	1.3	1.4+8%
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3060 8GB) vs NVENC 6th gen (GeForce GTX 1080). Decoder: NVDEC 5th gen vs NVDEC 3rd gen. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce RTX 3060 8GB) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC,VP8,VP9,MPEG-2,VC-1 (GeForce GTX 1080).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 8GB	GeForce GTX 1080
Encoder	NVENC 7th gen	NVENC 6th gen
Decoder	NVDEC 5th gen	NVDEC 3rd gen
Codecs	H.264,H.265/HEVC	H.264,H.265/HEVC,VP8,VP9,MPEG-2,VC-1

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB draws 170W versus the GeForce GTX 1080's 180W — a 5.7% difference. The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 3060 8GB) vs 500W (GeForce GTX 1080). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 242mm vs 267mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 75°C.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 8GB	GeForce GTX 1080
TDP	170W-6%	180W
Recommended PSU	550W	500W-9%
Power Connector	8-pin	8-pin
Length	242mm	267mm
Height	112mm	111mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	75°C	75°C
Perf/Watt	89.5+3%	86.7

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB launched at $329 MSRP and currently averages $280, while the GeForce GTX 1080 launched at $599 and now averages $91. The GeForce GTX 1080 costs 67.5% less ($189 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 54.3 (GeForce RTX 3060 8GB) vs 171.5 (GeForce GTX 1080) — the GeForce GTX 1080 offers 215.8% better value. The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB is the newer GPU (2022 vs 2016).