GeForce RTX 3060 vs GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU

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 Ti 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 vs GeForce RTX 3080 Ti 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

2021

Why buy it

✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 51.7 vs 0 G3D/$ ($329 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 12 GB vs 16 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (112 vs 320), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.

GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU

2021

Why buy it

✅44.3% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅185.7% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (320 vs 112).
✅33.3% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (16 GB vs 12 GB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 51.7 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 44.3% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 12.4% in PassMark G3D (19,108 vs 16,995), so the answer here is pretty clean.

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

GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 16 GB vs 12 GB of VRAM and 80 vs 28 ray-tracing units. 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 today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and lighter 1440p, GeForce RTX 3060 is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and lighter 1440p headroom, GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce RTX 3060 vs GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU 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 Ti Laptop GPU

The GeForce RTX 3080 Ti 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 150W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 80 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 19,108 points. Launch price was $1,199.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3060 scores 16,995 versus the GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU's 19,108 — the GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU leads by 12.4%. The GeForce RTX 3060 is built on Ampere while the GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU uses Ampere, both on a 8 nm process. Shader units: 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 10,240 (GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU). Raw compute: 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 34.1 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU). Boost clocks: 1777 MHz vs 1665 MHz. Ray tracing: 28 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 80 (GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU) with 112 Tensor cores vs 320.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU
G3D Mark Score	16,995	19,108+12%
Architecture	Ampere	Ampere
Process Node	8 nm	8 nm
Shading Units	3584	10240+186%
Compute (TFLOPS)	12.74 TFLOPS	34.1 TFLOPS+168%
Boost Clock	1777 MHz+7%	1665 MHz
ROPs	48	112+133%
TMUs	112	320+186%
L1 Cache	3.5 MB	10 MB+186%
L2 Cache	3 MB	6 MB+100%
Ray Tracing Cores	28	80+186%
Tensor Cores	112	320+186%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	GeForce RTX 3080 Ti 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 has 12 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU carries 16 GB. GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU gives you 33.3% 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 512 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU) — a 42.2% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU. Memory bus width is 192-bit on the GeForce RTX 3060 and 256-bit on the GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU. L2 Cache: 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 6 MB (GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU) — the GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU
VRAM Capacity	12 GB	16 GB+33%
Memory Type	GDDR6	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	360 GB/s	512 GB/s+42%
Bus Width	192-bit	256-bit+33%
L2 Cache	3 MB	6 MB+100%

🖥️

Display & API Support

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

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU
Encoder	NVENC 7th Gen	NVENC 5th gen
Decoder	NVDEC 5th Gen	NVDEC 7th gen
Codecs	AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9	H.264,H.265,AV1

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3060 draws 170W versus the GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU's 150W — a 12.5% difference. The GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 650W (GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU). Power connectors: 8-pin vs Mobile. Card length: 242mm vs 0mm, occupying 2 vs 0 slots. Typical load temperature: 75 vs 80°C.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU
TDP	170W	150W-12%
Recommended PSU	550W-15%	650W
Power Connector	8-pin	Mobile
Length	242mm	0mm
Height	112mm	0mm
Slots	2	0-100%
Temp (Load)	75-6%	80°C
Perf/Watt	100.0	127.4+27%