GeForce RTX 3050 8GB vs GeForce GTX 1080 with Max-Q Design
GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
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GeForce GTX 1080 with Max-Q Design
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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 3050 8GB
Performance Per Dollar GeForce GTX 1080 with Max-Q Design
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB uses modern memory architecture. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The GeForce GTX 1080 with Max-Q Design lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 8.4% higher G3D Mark score. This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTX 1080 with Max-Q Design.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | GeForce GTX 1080 with Max-Q Design |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+8.4%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-8.4%) |
| Longevity | 🏆Elite Architecture (Ampere (2020−2025) / 8nm) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2017 / Pascal (2016−2021)) |
| Ecosystem | ✨ DLSS 3/4 + Frame Gen Support | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | 🎮 High Capacity (8 GB) | ✅ More VRAM (+0%) |
| Efficiency | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption |
| Case Fit | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly | — |
💎 Value Proposition
While current pricing data is unavailable, the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB 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 3050 8GB and GeForce GTX 1080 with Max-Q Design
GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 4 2022. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1552 MHz to 1777 MHz. It has 2560 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 130W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 20 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 12,535 points. Launch price was $249.
GeForce GTX 1080 with Max-Q Design
The GeForce GTX 1080 with Max-Q Design is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in June 27 2017. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 1290 MHz to 1468 MHz. It has 2560 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 150W. Manufactured using 16 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 11,566 points.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB scores 12,535 versus the GeForce GTX 1080 with Max-Q Design's 11,566 — the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB leads by 8.4%. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is built on Ampere while the GeForce GTX 1080 with Max-Q Design uses Pascal, both on 8 nm vs 16 nm. Shader units: 2,560 (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1080 with Max-Q Design). Raw compute: 9.098 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 7.516 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1080 with Max-Q Design). Boost clocks: 1777 MHz vs 1468 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | GeForce GTX 1080 with Max-Q Design |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 12,535+8% | 11,566 |
| Architecture | Ampere | Pascal |
| Process Node | 8 nm | 16 nm |
| Shading Units | 2560 | 2560 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 9.098 TFLOPS+21% | 7.516 TFLOPS |
| Boost Clock | 1777 MHz+21% | 1468 MHz |
| ROPs | 32 | 64+100% |
| TMUs | 80 | 160+100% |
| L1 Cache | 2.5 MB+166% | 0.94 MB |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB | 2 MB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB gives access to NVIDIA DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), widely regarding as the superior upscaling method for image quality. The GeForce GTX 1080 with Max-Q Design relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | GeForce GTX 1080 with Max-Q Design |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | DLSS 2.0 | FSR 2.1 (Compatible) |
| Frame Generation | FSR 3 / AFMF (Compatible) | FSR 3 (Compatible) |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | NVIDIA Reflex | Standard |
Video Memory (VRAM)
Both cards feature 8 GB of video memory. Memory bandwidth: 224 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 256 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1080 with Max-Q Design) — a 14.3% advantage for the GeForce GTX 1080 with Max-Q Design. Bus width: 128-bit vs 256-bit.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | GeForce GTX 1080 with Max-Q Design |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR5X |
| Memory Bandwidth | 224 GB/s | 256 GB/s+14% |
| Bus Width | 128-bit | 256-bit+100% |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB | 2 MB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 12.1 (GeForce GTX 1080 with Max-Q Design). Vulkan: 1.4 vs 1.1. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.5. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | GeForce GTX 1080 with Max-Q Design |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 Ultimate | 12.1 |
| Vulkan | 1.4+27% | 1.1 |
| OpenGL | 4.6+2% | 4.5 |
| Max Displays | 4 | 4 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs NVENC 4.0 (GeForce GTX 1080 with Max-Q Design). Decoder: NVDEC 5th gen vs PureVideo HD VP6. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC (GeForce GTX 1080 with Max-Q Design).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | GeForce GTX 1080 with Max-Q Design |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC 7th gen | NVENC 4.0 |
| Decoder | NVDEC 5th gen | PureVideo HD VP6 |
| Codecs | H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 | MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB draws 130W versus the GeForce GTX 1080 with Max-Q Design's 150W — a 14.3% difference. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 450W (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 500W (GeForce GTX 1080 with Max-Q Design). Power connectors: 8-pin vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 242mm vs 0mm, occupying 2 vs 0 slots. Typical load temperature: 66°C vs 80°C.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | GeForce GTX 1080 with Max-Q Design |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 130W-13% | 150W |
| Recommended PSU | 450W-10% | 500W |
| Power Connector | 8-pin | PCIe-powered |
| Length | 242mm | 0mm |
| Height | 112mm | 0mm |
| Slots | 2 | 0-100% |
| Temp (Load) | 66°C-18% | 80°C |
| Perf/Watt | 96.4+25% | 77.1 |
Value Analysis
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is the newer GPU (2022 vs 2017).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | GeForce GTX 1080 with Max-Q Design |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $249 | — |
| Avg Price (30d) | $209 | — |
| Codename | GA106 | GP104 |
| Release | January 4 2022 | June 27 2017 |
| Ranking | #211 | #257 |
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