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 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 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

2021

Why buy it

✅Costs $370 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $699 MSRP).
✅Delivers 44% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 51.7 vs 35.9 G3D/$ ($329 MSRP vs $699 MSRP).
✅20% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 10 GB).
✅Draws 170W instead of 320W, a 150W reduction.
✅Measures 242mm instead of 285mm, a 43mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3080 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (112 vs 272), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.

GeForce RTX 3080

2020

Why buy it

✅36.1% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅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).

Trade-offs

❌Less VRAM, with 10 GB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌
112.5% HIGHER MSRP
$699 MSRPvs$329 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 35.9 vs 51.7 G3D/$ ($699 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
❌88.2% higher power demand at 320W vs 170W.
❌17.8% longer card at 285mm vs 242mm.

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 36.1% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 47.5% in PassMark G3D (25,071 vs 16,995), so the answer here is pretty clean.

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

GeForce RTX 3060 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 12 GB vs 10 GB of VRAM and a newer 2021 generation instead of 2020. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

GeForce RTX 3060 makes the most sense to buy today. It is $370 cheaper on MSRP at $329 vs $699, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 44% (51.7 vs 35.9), which is enough to swing the recommendation its way. GeForce RTX 3080 still makes more sense if max raw gaming performance matters more than value.

GeForce RTX 3060 vs GeForce RTX 3080 Technical Specifications

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

GeForce RTX 3060

The GeForce RTX 3060 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 12 2021. 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: 16,995 points. Launch price was $329.

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 scores 16,995 versus the GeForce RTX 3080's 25,071 — the GeForce RTX 3080 leads by 47.5%. The GeForce RTX 3060 is built on Ampere while the GeForce RTX 3080 uses Ampere, both on a 8 nm process. Shader units: 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 8,704 (GeForce RTX 3080). Raw compute: 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 29.77 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3080). Boost clocks: 1777 MHz vs 1710 MHz. Ray tracing: 28 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 68 (GeForce RTX 3080) with 112 Tensor cores vs 272.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	GeForce RTX 3080
G3D Mark Score	16,995	25,071+48%
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)

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	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 3060 has 12 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3080 carries 10 GB. GeForce RTX 3060 gives you 20% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bandwidth: 360 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 760 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3080) — a 111.1% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3080. Memory bus width is 192-bit on the GeForce RTX 3060 and 320-bit on the GeForce RTX 3080. L2 Cache: 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 5 MB (GeForce RTX 3080) — the GeForce RTX 3080 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	GeForce RTX 3080
VRAM Capacity	12 GB+20%	10 GB
Memory Type	GDDR6	GDDR6X
Memory Bandwidth	360 GB/s	760 GB/s+111%
Bus Width	192-bit	320-bit+67%
L2 Cache	3 MB	5 MB+67%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060) 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 3060	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 7th Gen (GeForce RTX 3060) vs NVENC (Ampere) (GeForce RTX 3080). Decoder: NVDEC 5th Gen vs NVDEC (Ampere). Supported codecs: AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs H.264,H.265,VP9,AV1 (GeForce RTX 3080).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	GeForce RTX 3080
Encoder	NVENC 7th Gen	NVENC (Ampere)
Decoder	NVDEC 5th Gen	NVDEC (Ampere)
Codecs	AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9	H.264,H.265,VP9,AV1

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3060 draws 170W versus the GeForce RTX 3080's 320W — a 61.2% difference. The GeForce RTX 3060 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 750W (GeForce RTX 3080). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 2x 8-pin. Card length: 242mm vs 285mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75 vs 75.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	GeForce RTX 3080
TDP	170W-47%	320W
Recommended PSU	550W-27%	750W
Power Connector	8-pin	2x 8-pin
Length	242mm	285mm
Height	112mm	112mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	75	75
Perf/Watt	100.0+28%	78.3

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce RTX 3060 came in at $329, while the GeForce RTX 3080 launched at $699. On MSRP, GeForce RTX 3060 was 52.9% cheaper ($370 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 51.7 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 35.9 (GeForce RTX 3080) — the GeForce RTX 3060 offers 44% better value. The newer card here is GeForce RTX 3060 (2021 vs 2020).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	GeForce RTX 3080
MSRP	$329-53%	$699
Performance per Dollar	51.7+44%	35.9
Codename	GA106	GA102
Release	January 12 2021	September 1 2020
Ranking	#114	#41

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