GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU vs GeForce RTX 3080

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU

2022Core: 1320 MHzBoost: 1777 MHz
VS
NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3080

2020Core: 1440 MHzBoost: 1710 MHz

GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU 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 3060 Laptop GPU 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.

GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU 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 3060 Laptop GPU

2022

Why buy it

  • Draws 170W instead of 320W, a 150W reduction.

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 (112 vs 272), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 35.9 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $699 MSRP).

GeForce RTX 3080

2020

Why buy it

  • 52.1% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 35.9 vs 0 G3D/$ ($699 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
  • 142.9% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (272 vs 112).
  • 66.7% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (10 GB vs 6 GB).

Trade-offs

  • 88.2% higher power demand at 320W vs 170W.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?
GeForce RTX 3080 is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 52.1% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 90.4% in PassMark G3D (25,071 vs 13,170), so the answer here is pretty clean.
Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?
GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: a newer 2022 generation instead of 2020. That makes it the less risky pick as game demands keep moving.
Which GPU is the better buy today?
GeForce RTX 3080 makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and strong 1440p, GeForce RTX 3080 is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and lighter 1440p headroom, GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU vs GeForce RTX 3080 Technical Specifications

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

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU

The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU 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: 13,170 points.

NVIDIA

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 3060 Laptop GPU scores 13,170 versus the GeForce RTX 3080's 25,071 — the GeForce RTX 3080 leads by 90.4%. The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is built on Ampere while the GeForce RTX 3080 uses Ampere, both on a 8 nm process. Shader units: 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs 8,704 (GeForce RTX 3080). Raw compute: 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs 29.77 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3080). Boost clocks: 1777 MHz vs 1710 MHz. Ray tracing: 28 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs 68 (GeForce RTX 3080) with 112 Tensor cores vs 272.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUGeForce RTX 3080
G3D Mark Score
13,170
25,071+90%
Architecture
Ampere
Ampere
Process Node
8 nm
8 nm
Shading Units
3584
8704+143%
Compute (TFLOPS)
12.74 TFLOPS
29.77 TFLOPS+134%
Boost Clock
1777 MHz+4%
1710 MHz
ROPs
48
96+100%
TMUs
112
272+143%
L1 Cache
3.5 MB
8.5 MB+143%
L2 Cache
3 MB
5 MB+67%
Ray Tracing Cores
28
68+143%
Tensor Cores
112
272+143%

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUGeForce 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 3060 Laptop GPU 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: 336 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs 760 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3080) — a 126.2% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3080. Memory bus width is 192-bit on the GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU and 320-bit on the GeForce RTX 3080. L2 Cache: 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs 5 MB (GeForce RTX 3080) — the GeForce RTX 3080 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUGeForce RTX 3080
VRAM Capacity
6 GB
10 GB+67%
Memory Type
GDDR6
GDDR6X
Memory Bandwidth
336 GB/s
760 GB/s+126%
Bus Width
192-bit
320-bit+67%
L2 Cache
3 MB
5 MB+67%
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs 12 Ultimate (12_2) (GeForce RTX 3080). Vulkan: 1.4 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUGeForce RTX 3080
DirectX
12 Ultimate
12 Ultimate (12_2)
Vulkan
1.4+8%
1.3
OpenGL
4.6
4.6
Max Displays
4
4
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (7th Gen) (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs NVENC (Ampere) (GeForce RTX 3080). Decoder: NVDEC (5th Gen) vs NVDEC (Ampere). Supported codecs: H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode),VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs H.264,H.265,VP9,AV1 (GeForce RTX 3080).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUGeForce RTX 3080
Encoder
NVENC (7th Gen)
NVENC (Ampere)
Decoder
NVDEC (5th Gen)
NVDEC (Ampere)
Codecs
H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode),VP9
H.264,H.265,VP9,AV1
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU draws 170W versus the GeForce RTX 3080's 320W — a 61.2% difference. The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs 750W (GeForce RTX 3080). Power connectors: Mobile vs 2x 8-pin. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 75.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUGeForce RTX 3080
TDP
170W-47%
320W
Recommended PSU
500W-33%
750W
Power Connector
Mobile
2x 8-pin
Length
285mm
Height
112mm
Slots
2
Temp (Load)
75°C
75
Perf/Watt
77.5
78.3+1%
💰

Value Analysis

The newer card here is GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU (2022 vs 2020).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUGeForce RTX 3080
MSRP
$699
Codename
GA106
GA102
Release
October 12 2022
September 1 2020
Ranking
#147
#41

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