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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, raw graphics performance, VRAM, feature set, power efficiency, pricing context, and long-term value so you can see which GPU actually makes more sense.

GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU

2023

Why buy it

✅Draws 160W instead of 360W, a 200W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 5080 across 12 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 8 GB vs 16 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (136 vs 336), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.
❌Weaker long-term outlook: GeForce RTX 5080 is the safer future-proof pick thanks to newer hardware and better gaming feature support.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 36.0 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $999 MSRP).

GeForce RTX 5080

2025

Why buy it

✅55.1% more average FPS across 12 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 36.0 vs 0 G3D/$ ($999 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
✅147.1% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (336 vs 136).
✅100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (16 GB vs 8 GB).
✅More future proof: Blackwell 2.0 (2025−2026) on 5nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌125% higher power demand at 360W vs 160W.

GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU

2023

GeForce RTX 5080

2025

Why buy it

✅Draws 160W instead of 360W, a 200W reduction.

Why buy it

✅55.1% more average FPS across 12 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 36.0 vs 0 G3D/$ ($999 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
✅147.1% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (336 vs 136).
✅100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (16 GB vs 8 GB).
✅More future proof: Blackwell 2.0 (2025−2026) on 5nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 5080 across 12 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 8 GB vs 16 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (136 vs 336), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.
❌Weaker long-term outlook: GeForce RTX 5080 is the safer future-proof pick thanks to newer hardware and better gaming feature support.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 36.0 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $999 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌125% higher power demand at 360W vs 160W.

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 5080 better than GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU?

Yes. GeForce RTX 5080 is clearly the better overall GPU here. GeForce RTX 5080 averages 55.1% more FPS across 12 tracked games in our benchmark data. You are also looking at 35,924 vs 17,400 in G3D Mark. On top of that, GeForce RTX 5080 is a 2025 card with DLSS 4 + Multi Frame Gen, while GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU is a 2023 model from an older generation with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation. So this is not really a tight same-tier comparison. It is more a modern card against an older, weaker alternative.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

GeForce RTX 5080 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer 2025 generation instead of 2023, 106.5% more raw performance headroom, more VRAM at 16 GB instead of 8 GB, and better upscaling support with DLSS 4 Super Resolution (2025) instead of DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution (2023) and better frame-generation support with DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation (2025) instead of DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023). That leaves it with more room for heavier textures, tougher ray tracing loads, and higher-end 1440p or 4K gaming over the next few years.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper card?

GeForce RTX 5080 is the smarter buy today, but it is not as lopsided as a simple winner label makes it sound. GeForce RTX 5080 is priced in an unclear MSRP range at $999 MSRP versus an unclear MSRP, and you are getting 55.1% more estimated average FPS across 12 tracked games in our benchmark data and 106.5% higher G3D Mark. It also leads G3D-per-dollar by 100+%. That is why the better overall card still comes out as the smarter buy today, not just the faster one.

Is GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU still worth buying for gaming in 2026?

Yes. GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU is still a strong modern gaming GPU: it is very strong for 1080p, good for 1440p, and more limited at 4K. It remains a good buy when you can get it meaningfully cheaper than the alternative around an unclear MSRP, even if GeForce RTX 5080 is still the cleaner recommendation on overall value today.

Games Benchmarks

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 9800X3D 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.

GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU Benchmark Check

GeForce RTX 5080 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU	GeForce RTX 5080
1080p
low	177 FPS	350 FPS
medium	162 FPS	334 FPS
high	142 FPS	280 FPS
ultra	124 FPS	221 FPS
1440p
low	143 FPS	326 FPS
medium	118 FPS	274 FPS
high	101 FPS	215 FPS
ultra	93 FPS	173 FPS
4K
low	93 FPS	194 FPS
medium	79 FPS	160 FPS
high	66 FPS	121 FPS
ultra	59 FPS	108 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU Open GeForce RTX 5080

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU	GeForce RTX 5080
1080p
low	409 FPS	822 FPS
medium	344 FPS	651 FPS
high	280 FPS	511 FPS
ultra	223 FPS	447 FPS
1440p
low	261 FPS	651 FPS
medium	217 FPS	536 FPS
high	180 FPS	434 FPS
ultra	147 FPS	360 FPS
4K
low	112 FPS	360 FPS
medium	91 FPS	306 FPS
high	76 FPS	277 FPS
ultra	59 FPS	234 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU Open GeForce RTX 5080

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU	GeForce RTX 5080
1080p
low	783 FPS	944 FPS
medium	626 FPS	772 FPS
high	522 FPS	699 FPS
ultra	392 FPS	604 FPS
1440p
low	587 FPS	731 FPS
medium	470 FPS	598 FPS
high	392 FPS	529 FPS
ultra	294 FPS	452 FPS
4K
low	392 FPS	506 FPS
medium	313 FPS	419 FPS
high	261 FPS	377 FPS
ultra	196 FPS	317 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU Open GeForce RTX 5080

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU	GeForce RTX 5080
1080p
low	775 FPS	999 FPS
medium	626 FPS	944 FPS
high	522 FPS	831 FPS
ultra	392 FPS	742 FPS
1440p
low	587 FPS	800 FPS
medium	470 FPS	698 FPS
high	392 FPS	614 FPS
ultra	294 FPS	537 FPS
4K
low	374 FPS	581 FPS
medium	313 FPS	513 FPS
high	261 FPS	457 FPS
ultra	196 FPS	400 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU Open GeForce RTX 5080

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU and GeForce RTX 5080

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.

GeForce RTX 5080

The GeForce RTX 5080 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 30 2025. It features the Blackwell 2.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 2295 MHz to 2617 MHz. It has 10752 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 360W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 84 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 35,924 points. Launch price was $999.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU scores 17,400 versus the GeForce RTX 5080's 35,924 — the GeForce RTX 5080 leads by 106.5%. The GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU is built on Ada Lovelace while the GeForce RTX 5080 uses Blackwell 2.0, both on a 5 nm process. Shader units: 4,352 (GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU) vs 10,752 (GeForce RTX 5080). Raw compute: 22.06 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU) vs 56.28 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 5080). Boost clocks: 2535 MHz vs 2617 MHz. Ray tracing: 34 RT cores (GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU) vs 84 (GeForce RTX 5080) with 136 Tensor cores vs 336.

Feature	GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU	GeForce RTX 5080
G3D Mark Score	17,400	35,924+106%
Architecture	Ada Lovelace	Blackwell 2.0
Process Node	5 nm	5 nm
Shading Units	4352	10752+147%
Compute (TFLOPS)	22.06 TFLOPS	56.28 TFLOPS+155%
Boost Clock	2535 MHz	2617 MHz+3%
ROPs	48	112+133%
TMUs	136	336+147%
L1 Cache	4.3 MB	10.5 MB+144%
L2 Cache	32 MB	64 MB+100%
Ray Tracing Cores	34	84+147%
Tensor Cores	136	336+147%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Both cards support Frame Generation, but the GeForce RTX 5080 is on a newer tier with DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation, while the GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU tops out at DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation.The GeForce RTX 5080 supports the newer DLSS 4 Super Resolution, whereas the GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU is capped at DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution.

Feature	GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU	GeForce RTX 5080
Upscaling Tech	DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution	DLSS 4 Super Resolution
Frame Generation	DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation	DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation+14%
Ray Reconstruction	Yes (DLSS 3.5)	Yes (DLSS 4)+14%
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	NVIDIA Reflex

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU comes with 8 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 5080 has 16 GB. The GeForce RTX 5080 offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 256 GB/s (GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU) vs 1024 GB/s (GeForce RTX 5080) — a 300% advantage for the GeForce RTX 5080. Bus width: 128-bit vs 256-bit. L2 Cache: 32 MB (GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU) vs 64 MB (GeForce RTX 5080) — the GeForce RTX 5080 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU	GeForce RTX 5080
VRAM Capacity	8 GB	16 GB+100%
Memory Type	GDDR6	GDDR7
Memory Bandwidth	256 GB/s	1024 GB/s+300%
Bus Width	128-bit	256-bit+100%
L2 Cache	32 MB	64 MB+100%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU) vs 12.2 (GeForce RTX 5080). Vulkan: 1.4 vs 1.4. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU	GeForce RTX 5080
DirectX	12 Ultimate	12.2+2%
Vulkan	1.4	1.4
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (8th Gen) (GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU) vs 9th Gen NVENC (2x) (GeForce RTX 5080). Decoder: NVDEC (5th Gen) vs 6th Gen NVDEC. Supported codecs: H.264,HEVC,AV1,VP9 (GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (GeForce RTX 5080).

Feature	GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU	GeForce RTX 5080
Encoder	NVENC (8th Gen)	9th Gen NVENC (2x)
Decoder	NVDEC (5th Gen)	6th Gen NVDEC
Codecs	H.264,HEVC,AV1,VP9	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU draws 160W versus the GeForce RTX 5080's 360W — a 76.9% difference. The GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 650W (GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU) vs 850W (GeForce RTX 5080). Power connectors: Mobile vs 16-pin (12VHPWR). Typical load temperature: 80°C vs 80°C.

Feature	GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU	GeForce RTX 5080
TDP	160W-56%	360W
Recommended PSU	650W-24%	850W
Power Connector	Mobile	16-pin (12VHPWR)
Length	—	304mm
Height	—	137mm
Slots	0-100%	2
Temp (Load)	80°C	80°C
Perf/Watt	108.8+9%	99.8