GeForce RTX 3080 vs GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3080

2020Core: 1440 MHzBoost: 1710 MHz
RTX family
·······
VS
NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU

2023Core: 2310 MHzBoost: 2535 MHz
RTX family
·····

GeForce RTX 3080 vs GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU Performance Spectrum

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.

GeForce RTX 3080 vs GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU 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 4060 Laptop GPU: 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

  • 14.3% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 35.9 vs 0 G3D/$ ($699 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
  • 100% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (272 vs 136).
  • 25% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (10 GB vs 8 GB).

Trade-offs

  • No equivalent frame-generation stack like DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
  • GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU is the safer long-term pick here because the hardware is newer and the feature stack is stronger.
  • 100% higher power demand at 320W vs 160W.

GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU

2023

Why buy it

  • 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 160W instead of 320W, a 160W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3080 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Less VRAM, with 8 GB vs 10 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (136 vs 272), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 35.9 G3D/$ (Unknown 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 14.3% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 44.1% in PassMark G3D (25,071 vs 17,400), so the answer here is pretty clean.
Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?
GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU 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 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 2020. That makes it the less risky pick as game demands keep moving.
Which GPU is the better buy today?
GeForce RTX 3080 makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and strong 1440p, GeForce RTX 3080 is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and lighter 1440p headroom, GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce RTX 3080 vs GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU Technical Specifications

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

NVIDIA

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.

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU

The GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 18 2023. It features the Ada Lovelace architecture. The core clock ranges from 2310 MHz to 2535 MHz. It has 4352 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 160W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 34 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 17,400 points. Launch price was $399.

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3080 scores 25,071 versus the GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU's 17,400 — the GeForce RTX 3080 leads by 44.1%. The GeForce RTX 3080 is built on Ampere while the GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU uses Ada Lovelace, both on 8 nm vs 5 nm. Shader units: 8,704 (GeForce RTX 3080) vs 4,352 (GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU). Raw compute: 29.77 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3080) vs 22.06 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU). Boost clocks: 1710 MHz vs 2535 MHz. Ray tracing: 68 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3080) vs 34 (GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU) with 272 Tensor cores vs 136.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3080GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU
G3D Mark Score
25,071+44%
17,400
Architecture
Ampere
Ada Lovelace
Process Node
8 nm
5 nm
Shading Units
8704+100%
4352
Compute (TFLOPS)
29.77 TFLOPS+35%
22.06 TFLOPS
Boost Clock
1710 MHz
2535 MHz+48%
ROPs
96+100%
48
TMUs
272+100%
136
L1 Cache
8.5 MB+98%
4.3 MB
L2 Cache
5 MB
32 MB+540%
Ray Tracing Cores
68+100%
34
Tensor Cores
272+100%
136

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The clearest feature edge for the GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU 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 does not have comparable native support in the same tier.The GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU supports the newer DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution, whereas the GeForce RTX 3080 is capped at DLSS 2 Super Resolution.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3080GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU
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)

The GeForce RTX 3080 has 10 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU carries 8 GB. GeForce RTX 3080 gives you 25% 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 256 GB/s (GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU) — a 196.9% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3080. Memory bus width is 320-bit on the GeForce RTX 3080 and 128-bit on the GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU. L2 Cache: 5 MB (GeForce RTX 3080) vs 32 MB (GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU) — the GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3080GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU
VRAM Capacity
10 GB+25%
8 GB
Memory Type
GDDR6X
GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth
760 GB/s+197%
256 GB/s
Bus Width
320-bit+150%
128-bit
L2 Cache
5 MB
32 MB+540%
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (12_2) (GeForce RTX 3080) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.4. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3080GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU
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 (8th Gen) (GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU). Decoder: NVDEC (Ampere) vs NVDEC (5th Gen). Supported codecs: H.264,H.265,VP9,AV1 (GeForce RTX 3080) vs H.264,HEVC,AV1,VP9 (GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3080GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU
Encoder
NVENC (Ampere)
NVENC (8th Gen)
Decoder
NVDEC (Ampere)
NVDEC (5th Gen)
Codecs
H.264,H.265,VP9,AV1
H.264,HEVC,AV1,VP9
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3080 draws 320W versus the GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU's 160W — a 66.7% difference. The GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 750W (GeForce RTX 3080) vs 650W (GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU). Power connectors: 2x 8-pin vs Mobile. Typical load temperature: 75 vs 80°C.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3080GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU
TDP
320W
160W-50%
Recommended PSU
750W
650W-13%
Power Connector
2x 8-pin
Mobile
Length
285mm
Height
112mm
Slots
2
0-100%
Temp (Load)
75-6%
80°C
Perf/Watt
78.3
108.8+39%
💰

Value Analysis

The newer card here is GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU (2023 vs 2020).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3080GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU
MSRP
$699
Codename
GA102
AD106
Release
September 1 2020
May 18 2023
Ranking
#41
#59

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.