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 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 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

2020

Why buy it

✅Costs $800 less on MSRP ($699 MSRP vs $1,499 MSRP).
✅Delivers 102.2% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 35.9 vs 17.7 G3D/$ ($699 MSRP vs $1,499 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3090 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 10 GB vs 24 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (272 vs 328), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.

GeForce RTX 3090

2020

Why buy it

✅20.4% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅20.6% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (328 vs 272).
✅140% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (24 GB vs 10 GB).

Trade-offs

❌
114.4% HIGHER MSRP
$1,499 MSRPvs$699 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 17.7 vs 35.9 G3D/$ ($1,499 MSRP vs $699 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 20.4% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 6.1% in PassMark G3D (26,594 vs 25,071), so the answer here is pretty clean.

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

GeForce RTX 3080 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond because it comes out ahead on the available hardware-headroom signals for this matchup.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

GeForce RTX 3080 makes the most sense to buy today. It is $800 cheaper on MSRP at $699 vs $1,499, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 102.2% (35.9 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 vs GeForce RTX 3090 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 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

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3080 scores 25,071 versus the GeForce RTX 3090's 26,594 — the GeForce RTX 3090 leads by 6.1%. The GeForce RTX 3080 is built on Ampere while the GeForce RTX 3090 uses Ampere, both on a 8 nm process. Shader units: 8,704 (GeForce RTX 3080) vs 10,496 (GeForce RTX 3090). Raw compute: 29.77 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3080) vs 35.58 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3090). Boost clocks: 1710 MHz vs 1695 MHz. Ray tracing: 68 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3080) vs 82 (GeForce RTX 3090) with 272 Tensor cores vs 328.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3080	GeForce RTX 3090
G3D Mark Score	25,071	26,594+6%
Architecture	Ampere	Ampere
Process Node	8 nm	8 nm
Shading Units	8704	10496+21%
Compute (TFLOPS)	29.77 TFLOPS	35.58 TFLOPS+20%
Boost Clock	1710 MHz	1695 MHz
ROPs	96	112+17%
TMUs	272	328+21%
L1 Cache	8.5 MB	10.3 MB+21%
L2 Cache	5 MB	6 MB+20%
Ray Tracing Cores	68	82+21%
Tensor Cores	272	328+21%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce RTX 3080	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 has 10 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3090 carries 24 GB. GeForce RTX 3090 gives you 140% 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 936 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3090) — a 23.2% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3090. Memory bus width is 320-bit on the GeForce RTX 3080 and 384-bit on the GeForce RTX 3090. L2 Cache: 5 MB (GeForce RTX 3080) vs 6 MB (GeForce RTX 3090) — the GeForce RTX 3090 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3080	GeForce RTX 3090
VRAM Capacity	10 GB	24 GB+140%
Memory Type	GDDR6X	GDDR6X
Memory Bandwidth	760 GB/s	936 GB/s+23%
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 3090). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.4. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3080	GeForce RTX 3090
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 3090). 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 3090).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3080	GeForce RTX 3090
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 3090's 350W — a 9% difference. The GeForce RTX 3080 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 750W (GeForce RTX 3080) 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: 75 vs 85°C.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3080	GeForce RTX 3090
TDP	320W-9%	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)	75-12%	85°C
Perf/Watt	78.3+3%	76.0

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce RTX 3080 came in at $699, while the GeForce RTX 3090 launched at $1499. On MSRP, GeForce RTX 3080 was 53.4% cheaper ($800 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 35.9 (GeForce RTX 3080) vs 17.7 (GeForce RTX 3090) — the GeForce RTX 3080 offers 102.8% better value.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3080	GeForce RTX 3090
MSRP	$699-53%	$1499
Performance per Dollar	35.9+103%	17.7
Codename	GA102	GA102
Release	September 1 2020	September 1 2020
Ranking	#41	#37

Search GeForce RTX 3080 on Amazon

Search GeForce RTX 3090 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.