
GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU vs GeForce RTX 3060 12GB

GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU
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GeForce RTX 3060 12GB
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Performance Spectrum - GPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (G3D Mark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU
Performance Per Dollar GeForce RTX 3060 12GB
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 3.4% higher G3D Mark score and 50% more VRAM (12 GB vs 8 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-3.4%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+3.4%) |
| Longevity | 🔮Strong Longevity (Ampere (2020−2025) / 8nm) | 🔮Strong Longevity (Ampere (2020−2025) / 8nm) |
| Ecosystem | ✨ DLSS 2 Upscaling | ✨ DLSS 2 Upscaling |
| VRAM | 🎮 High Capacity (8 GB) | 🎮 High Capacity (12 GB) |
| Efficiency | Normal Efficiency | Normal Efficiency |
| Case Fit | — | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
While current pricing data is unavailable, the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB remains the clear technical winner. Check real-time availability to determine if the performance gap justifies the market price.
Performance Check
Real-world benchmarks and performance projections based on comprehensive hardware analysis and comparative metrics. Values represent expected performance on High/Ultra settings at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K. Modeled using a Ryzen 7 7800X3D reference profile to minimize specific CPU bottlenecks.
Note: Performance behavior can vary per game. Specific architectures may perform better or worse depending on game engine optimizations and API implementation.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU and GeForce RTX 3060 12GB

GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU
The GeForce RTX 3080 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 350W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 80 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 16,233 points. Launch price was $1,199.

GeForce RTX 3060 12GB
The GeForce RTX 3060 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: 16,777 points. Launch price was $799.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU scores 16,233 and the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB reaches 16,777 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 3.4% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU is built on Ampere while the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB uses Ampere, both on a 8 nm process. Shader units: 10,240 (GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU) vs 8,960 (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB). Raw compute: 34.1 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU) vs 30.64 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB). Boost clocks: 1665 MHz vs 1710 MHz. Ray tracing: 80 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU) vs 70 (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) with 320 Tensor cores vs 280.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 16,233 | 16,777+3% |
| Architecture | Ampere | Ampere |
| Process Node | 8 nm | 8 nm |
| Shading Units | 10240+14% | 8960 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 34.1 TFLOPS+11% | 30.64 TFLOPS |
| Boost Clock | 1665 MHz | 1710 MHz+3% |
| ROPs | 112+17% | 96 |
| TMUs | 320+14% | 280 |
| L1 Cache | 10 MB+14% | 8.8 MB |
| L2 Cache | 6 MB | 6 MB |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 80+14% | 70 |
| Tensor Cores | 320+14% | 280 |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | DLSS 2.0 | DLSS 2.0 |
| Frame Generation | FSR 3 / AFMF (Compatible) | FSR 3 / AFMF (Compatible) |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | NVIDIA Reflex | NVIDIA Reflex |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU comes with 8 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB has 12 GB. The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB offers 50% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 448 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU) vs 360 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) — a 24.4% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU. Bus width: 256-bit vs 192-bit.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 8 GB | 12 GB+50% |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 448 GB/s+24% | 360 GB/s |
| Bus Width | 256-bit+33% | 192-bit |
| L2 Cache | 6 MB | 6 MB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12.2 (GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB). Vulkan: 1.2 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12.2+2% | 12 Ultimate |
| Vulkan | 1.2 | 1.3+8% |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 4 | 4 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: 7th Gen NVENC (GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU) vs NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB). Decoder: 5th Gen NVDEC vs NVDEC 5th gen. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (Decode) (GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | 7th Gen NVENC | NVENC 7th gen |
| Decoder | 5th Gen NVDEC | NVDEC 5th gen |
| Codecs | MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (Decode) | H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU draws 350W versus the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB's 350W — a 0% difference. The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 650W (GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU) vs 550W (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB). Power connectors: Mobile vs 8-pin. Card length: 0mm vs 242mm, occupying 0 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 80°C vs 75°C.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 350W | 350W |
| Recommended PSU | 650W | 550W-15% |
| Power Connector | Mobile | 8-pin |
| Length | 0mm | 242mm |
| Height | 0mm | 112mm |
| Slots | 0-100% | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 80°C | 75°C-6% |
| Perf/Watt | 46.4 | 47.9+3% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is the newer GPU (2022 vs 2021).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | — | $329 |
| Avg Price (30d) | — | $340 |
| Codename | GA102 | GA102 |
| Release | May 31 2021 | January 11 2022 |
| Ranking | #33 | #38 |
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