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 3080 12GB vs GeForce RTX 3090 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 3080 12GB vs GeForce RTX 3090: 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 3080 12GB

2022

Why buy it

✅Costs $249 less on MSRP ($1,250 MSRP vs $1,499 MSRP).
✅Delivers 19.8% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 21.3 vs 17.7 G3D/$ ($1,250 MSRP vs $1,499 MSRP).
✅Better long-term bet: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3090 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 12 GB vs 24 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (280 vs 328), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.

GeForce RTX 3090

2020

Why buy it

✅24.1% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅17.1% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (328 vs 280).
✅100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (24 GB vs 12 GB).

Trade-offs

❌GeForce RTX 3080 12GB is the safer long-term pick here because the hardware is newer and the feature stack is stronger.
❌
19.9% HIGHER MSRP
$1,499 MSRPvs$1,250 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 17.7 vs 21.3 G3D/$ ($1,499 MSRP vs $1,250 MSRP).

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

GeForce RTX 3090 is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 24.1% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 0.1% in PassMark G3D (26,594 vs 26,569), so the answer here is pretty clean.

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

GeForce RTX 3080 12GB 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 12GB makes the most sense to buy today. It is $249 cheaper on MSRP at $1,250 vs $1,499, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 19.8% (21.3 vs 17.7), which is enough to swing the recommendation its way. GeForce RTX 3090 still makes more sense if max raw gaming performance matters more than value.

GeForce RTX 3080 12GB vs GeForce RTX 3090 Technical Specifications

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

GeForce RTX 3080 12GB

The GeForce RTX 3080 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: 26,569 points. Launch price was $799.

GeForce RTX 3090

The GeForce RTX 3090 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in September 1 2020. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1395 MHz to 1695 MHz. It has 10496 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 350W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 82 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 26,594 points. Launch price was $1,499.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The GeForce RTX 3080 12GB scores 26,569 and the GeForce RTX 3090 reaches 26,594 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.1% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce RTX 3080 12GB is built on Ampere while the GeForce RTX 3090 uses Ampere, both on a 8 nm process. Shader units: 8,960 (GeForce RTX 3080 12GB) vs 10,496 (GeForce RTX 3090). Raw compute: 30.64 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3080 12GB) vs 35.58 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3090). Boost clocks: 1710 MHz vs 1695 MHz. Ray tracing: 70 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3080 12GB) vs 82 (GeForce RTX 3090) with 280 Tensor cores vs 328.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3080 12GB	GeForce RTX 3090
G3D Mark Score	26,569	26,594
Architecture	Ampere	Ampere
Process Node	8 nm	8 nm
Shading Units	8960	10496+17%
Compute (TFLOPS)	30.64 TFLOPS	35.58 TFLOPS+16%
Boost Clock	1710 MHz	1695 MHz
ROPs	96	112+17%
TMUs	280	328+17%
L1 Cache	8.8 MB	10.3 MB+17%
L2 Cache	6 MB	6 MB
Ray Tracing Cores	70	82+17%
Tensor Cores	280	328+17%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce RTX 3080 12GB	GeForce RTX 3090
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 3080 12GB has 12 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3090 carries 24 GB. GeForce RTX 3090 gives you 100% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bandwidth: 912 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3080 12GB) vs 936 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3090) — a 2.6% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3090. Memory bus width is 384-bit on the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB and 384-bit on the GeForce RTX 3090.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3080 12GB	GeForce RTX 3090
VRAM Capacity	12 GB	24 GB+100%
Memory Type	GDDR6X	GDDR6X
Memory Bandwidth	912 GB/s	936 GB/s+3%
Bus Width	384-bit	384-bit
L2 Cache	6 MB	6 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3080 12GB) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3090). Vulkan: 1.4 vs 1.4. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3080 12GB	GeForce RTX 3090
DirectX	12 Ultimate	12 Ultimate
Vulkan	1.4	1.4
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3080 12GB) vs NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3090). Decoder: NVDEC 5th gen vs NVDEC 5th gen. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 (GeForce RTX 3080 12GB) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 (GeForce RTX 3090).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3080 12GB	GeForce RTX 3090
Encoder	NVENC 7th gen	NVENC 7th gen
Decoder	NVDEC 5th gen	NVDEC 5th gen
Codecs	H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1	H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3080 12GB draws 350W versus the GeForce RTX 3090's 350W — a 0% difference. The GeForce RTX 3090 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 750W (GeForce RTX 3080 12GB) vs 750W (GeForce RTX 3090). Power connectors: 2x 8-pin vs 2x 8-pin. Card length: 285mm vs 312mm, occupying 2 vs 3 slots. Typical load temperature: 80°C vs 85°C.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3080 12GB	GeForce RTX 3090
TDP	350W	350W
Recommended PSU	750W	750W
Power Connector	2x 8-pin	2x 8-pin
Length	285mm	312mm
Height	112mm	140mm
Slots	2-33%	3
Temp (Load)	80°C-6%	85°C
Perf/Watt	75.9	76.0

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB came in at $1250, while the GeForce RTX 3090 launched at $1499. On MSRP, GeForce RTX 3080 12GB was 16.6% cheaper ($249 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 21.3 (GeForce RTX 3080 12GB) vs 17.7 (GeForce RTX 3090) — the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB offers 20.3% better value. The newer card here is GeForce RTX 3080 12GB (2022 vs 2020).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3080 12GB	GeForce RTX 3090
MSRP	$1250-17%	$1499
Performance per Dollar	21.3+20%	17.7
Codename	GA102	GA102
Release	January 11 2022	September 1 2020
Ranking	#38	#37

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