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 4070 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 4070: 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

✅0.6% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅52.2% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (280 vs 184).

Trade-offs

❌No equivalent frame-generation stack like DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
❌GeForce RTX 4070 is the safer long-term pick here because the hardware is newer and the feature stack is stronger.
❌
108.7% HIGHER MSRP
$1,250 MSRPvs$599 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 21.3 vs 44.9 G3D/$ ($1,250 MSRP vs $599 MSRP).
❌75% higher power demand at 350W vs 200W.

GeForce RTX 4070

2023

Why buy it

✅Costs $651 less on MSRP ($599 MSRP vs $1,250 MSRP).
✅Delivers 111.4% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 44.9 vs 21.3 G3D/$ ($599 MSRP vs $1,250 MSRP).
✅Access to a newer frame-generation stack with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
✅Better long-term bet: Ada Lovelace (2022−2024) on 5nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.
✅Draws 200W instead of 350W, a 150W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3080 12GB across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (184 vs 280), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

GeForce RTX 3080 12GB is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 0.6% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data. PassMark G3D leans toward GeForce RTX 4070 instead at 26,919 vs 26,569, so for this question the real-game FPS result matters more than the synthetic split.

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

GeForce RTX 4070 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: the newer feature stack, with DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution (2023) and DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023), while GeForce RTX 3080 12GB is limited to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020) and no comparable frame-generation support, a 5nm process instead of 8nm, and a newer 2023 generation instead of 2022. That makes it the less risky pick as game demands keep moving.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

GeForce RTX 4070 makes the most sense to buy today. It is $651 cheaper on MSRP at $599 vs $1,250, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 111.4% (44.9 vs 21.3), which is enough to swing the recommendation its way. GeForce RTX 3080 12GB still makes more sense if max raw gaming performance matters more than value.

GeForce RTX 3080 12GB vs GeForce RTX 4070 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 4070

The GeForce RTX 4070 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in April 12 2023. It features the Ada Lovelace architecture. The core clock ranges from 1920 MHz to 2475 MHz. It has 5888 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 200W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 46 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 26,919 points. Launch price was $599.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The GeForce RTX 3080 12GB scores 26,569 and the GeForce RTX 4070 reaches 26,919 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.3% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce RTX 3080 12GB is built on Ampere while the GeForce RTX 4070 uses Ada Lovelace, both on 8 nm vs 5 nm. Shader units: 8,960 (GeForce RTX 3080 12GB) vs 5,888 (GeForce RTX 4070). Raw compute: 30.64 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3080 12GB) vs 29.15 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 4070). Boost clocks: 1710 MHz vs 2475 MHz. Ray tracing: 70 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3080 12GB) vs 46 (GeForce RTX 4070) with 280 Tensor cores vs 184.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3080 12GB	GeForce RTX 4070
G3D Mark Score	26,569	26,919+1%
Architecture	Ampere	Ada Lovelace
Process Node	8 nm	5 nm
Shading Units	8960+52%	5888
Compute (TFLOPS)	30.64 TFLOPS+5%	29.15 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	1710 MHz	2475 MHz+45%
ROPs	96+50%	64
TMUs	280+52%	184
L1 Cache	8.8 MB+52%	5.8 MB
L2 Cache	6 MB	36 MB+500%
Ray Tracing Cores	70+52%	46
Tensor Cores	280+52%	184

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The clearest feature edge for the GeForce RTX 4070 is support for DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation. In games that support it, that can smooth out motion and lift perceived FPS. The GeForce RTX 3080 12GB does not have comparable native support in the same tier.The GeForce RTX 4070 supports the newer DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution, whereas the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB is capped at DLSS 2 Super Resolution.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3080 12GB	GeForce RTX 4070
Upscaling Tech	DLSS 2 Super Resolution	DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution
Frame Generation	Not Supported	DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation
Ray Reconstruction	No	Yes (DLSS 3.5)
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	NVIDIA Reflex

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

Both cards ship with 12 GB of GDDR6X. Memory bandwidth: 912 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3080 12GB) vs 504 GB/s (GeForce RTX 4070) — a 81% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB. Memory bus width is 384-bit on the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB and 192-bit on the GeForce RTX 4070. L2 Cache: 6 MB (GeForce RTX 3080 12GB) vs 36 MB (GeForce RTX 4070) — the GeForce RTX 4070 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3080 12GB	GeForce RTX 4070
VRAM Capacity	12 GB	12 GB
Memory Type	GDDR6X	GDDR6X
Memory Bandwidth	912 GB/s+81%	504 GB/s
Bus Width	384-bit+100%	192-bit
L2 Cache	6 MB	36 MB+500%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3080 12GB) vs 12.2 (GeForce RTX 4070). Vulkan: 1.4 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3080 12GB	GeForce RTX 4070
DirectX	12 Ultimate	12.2+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 3080 12GB) vs 8th Gen NVENC (2x) (GeForce RTX 4070). Decoder: NVDEC 5th gen vs 5th Gen NVDEC. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 (GeForce RTX 3080 12GB) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (GeForce RTX 4070).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3080 12GB	GeForce RTX 4070
Encoder	NVENC 7th gen	8th Gen NVENC (2x)
Decoder	NVDEC 5th gen	5th Gen NVDEC
Codecs	H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3080 12GB draws 350W versus the GeForce RTX 4070's 200W — a 54.5% difference. The GeForce RTX 4070 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 750W (GeForce RTX 3080 12GB) vs 650W (GeForce RTX 4070). Power connectors: 2x 8-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 285mm vs 304mm, occupying 2 vs 3 slots. Typical load temperature: 80°C vs 80°C.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3080 12GB	GeForce RTX 4070
TDP	350W	200W-43%
Recommended PSU	750W	650W-13%
Power Connector	2x 8-pin	8-pin
Length	285mm	304mm
Height	112mm	137mm
Slots	2-33%	3
Temp (Load)	80°C	80°C
Perf/Watt	75.9	134.6+77%

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB came in at $1250, while the GeForce RTX 4070 launched at $599. On MSRP, GeForce RTX 4070 was 52.1% cheaper ($651 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 21.3 (GeForce RTX 3080 12GB) vs 44.9 (GeForce RTX 4070) — the GeForce RTX 4070 offers 110.8% better value. The newer card here is GeForce RTX 4070 (2023 vs 2022).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3080 12GB	GeForce RTX 4070
MSRP	$1250	$599-52%
Performance per Dollar	21.3	44.9+111%
Codename	GA102	AD104
Release	January 11 2022	April 12 2023
Ranking	#38	#32

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