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

2020

Why buy it

✅3.1% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Costs $551 less on MSRP ($699 MSRP vs $1,250 MSRP).
✅Delivers 68.7% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 35.9 vs 21.3 G3D/$ ($699 MSRP vs $1,250 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Less VRAM, with 10 GB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (272 vs 280), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.
❌GeForce RTX 3080 12GB is the safer long-term pick here because the hardware is newer and the feature stack is stronger.

GeForce RTX 3080 12GB

2022

Why buy it

✅2.9% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (280 vs 272).
✅20% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 10 GB).
✅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 3080 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌
78.8% HIGHER MSRP
$1,250 MSRPvs$699 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 21.3 vs 35.9 G3D/$ ($1,250 MSRP vs $699 MSRP).

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 3.1% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data. PassMark G3D leans toward GeForce RTX 3080 12GB instead at 26,569 vs 25,071, 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 3080 12GB is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 12 GB vs 10 GB of VRAM, 70 vs 68 ray-tracing units, and a newer 2022 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 3080 makes the most sense to buy today. It is $551 cheaper on MSRP at $699 vs $1,250, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 68.7% (35.9 vs 21.3), so the value case lines up with the gaming result. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and strong 1440p, GeForce RTX 3080 is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and strong 1440p headroom, GeForce RTX 3080 12GB has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce RTX 3080 vs GeForce RTX 3080 12GB Technical Specifications

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

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.

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.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3080 scores 25,071 versus the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB's 26,569 — the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB leads by 6%. The GeForce RTX 3080 is built on Ampere while the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB uses Ampere, both on a 8 nm process. Shader units: 8,704 (GeForce RTX 3080) vs 8,960 (GeForce RTX 3080 12GB). Raw compute: 29.77 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3080) vs 30.64 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3080 12GB). Boost clocks: 1710 MHz vs 1710 MHz. Ray tracing: 68 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3080) vs 70 (GeForce RTX 3080 12GB) with 272 Tensor cores vs 280.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3080	GeForce RTX 3080 12GB
G3D Mark Score	25,071	26,569+6%
Architecture	Ampere	Ampere
Process Node	8 nm	8 nm
Shading Units	8704	8960+3%
Compute (TFLOPS)	29.77 TFLOPS	30.64 TFLOPS+3%
Boost Clock	1710 MHz	1710 MHz
ROPs	96	96
TMUs	272	280+3%
L1 Cache	8.5 MB	8.8 MB+4%
L2 Cache	5 MB	6 MB+20%
Ray Tracing Cores	68	70+3%
Tensor Cores	272	280+3%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce RTX 3080	GeForce RTX 3080 12GB
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 has 10 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB carries 12 GB. GeForce RTX 3080 12GB gives you 20% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bandwidth: 760 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3080) vs 912 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3080 12GB) — a 20% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB. Memory bus width is 320-bit on the GeForce RTX 3080 and 384-bit on the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB. L2 Cache: 5 MB (GeForce RTX 3080) vs 6 MB (GeForce RTX 3080 12GB) — the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3080	GeForce RTX 3080 12GB
VRAM Capacity	10 GB	12 GB+20%
Memory Type	GDDR6X	GDDR6X
Memory Bandwidth	760 GB/s	912 GB/s+20%
Bus Width	320-bit	384-bit+20%
L2 Cache	5 MB	6 MB+20%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (12_2) (GeForce RTX 3080) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3080 12GB). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.4. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3080	GeForce RTX 3080 12GB
DirectX	12 Ultimate (12_2)	12 Ultimate
Vulkan	1.3	1.4+8%
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (Ampere) (GeForce RTX 3080) vs NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3080 12GB). Decoder: NVDEC (Ampere) vs NVDEC 5th gen. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265,VP9,AV1 (GeForce RTX 3080) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 (GeForce RTX 3080 12GB).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3080	GeForce RTX 3080 12GB
Encoder	NVENC (Ampere)	NVENC 7th gen
Decoder	NVDEC (Ampere)	NVDEC 5th gen
Codecs	H.264,H.265,VP9,AV1	H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3080 draws 320W versus the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB's 350W — a 9% difference. The GeForce RTX 3080 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 750W (GeForce RTX 3080) vs 750W (GeForce RTX 3080 12GB). Power connectors: 2x 8-pin vs 2x 8-pin. Card length: 285mm vs 285mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75 vs 80°C.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3080	GeForce RTX 3080 12GB
TDP	320W-9%	350W
Recommended PSU	750W	750W
Power Connector	2x 8-pin	2x 8-pin
Length	285mm	285mm
Height	112mm	112mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	75-6%	80°C
Perf/Watt	78.3+3%	75.9

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce RTX 3080 came in at $699, while the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB launched at $1250. On MSRP, GeForce RTX 3080 was 44.1% cheaper ($551 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 35.9 (GeForce RTX 3080) vs 21.3 (GeForce RTX 3080 12GB) — the GeForce RTX 3080 offers 68.5% better value. The newer card here is GeForce RTX 3080 12GB (2022 vs 2020).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3080	GeForce RTX 3080 12GB
MSRP	$699-44%	$1250
Performance per Dollar	35.9+69%	21.3
Codename	GA102	GA102
Release	September 1 2020	January 11 2022
Ranking	#41	#38

Search GeForce RTX 3080 on Amazon

Search GeForce RTX 3080 12GB on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.