GeForce RTX 3060 vs GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER
GeForce RTX 3060
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GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER
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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 3060
Performance Per Dollar
Why is GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER better than GeForce RTX 3060?
The battle between the GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER and the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is a classic matchup between a former flagship-tier card and its modern mid-range successor. In raw gaming benchmarks, the RTX 3060 Ti matches or slightly exceeds the performance of the older 2080 SUPER, but it does so with much better power efficiency. Both cards are excellent for 1440p gaming, but the 30-series card benefits from the more advanced Ampere architecture.
Technically, the RTX 3060 Ti features 2nd Gen RT cores and 3rd Gen Tensor cores, providing better performance in Ray Tracing and DLSS-supported titles compared to the Turing-based 2080 SUPER. While the 2080 SUPER has a slightly wider memory bus, the architectural improvements of Ampere allow the 3060 Ti to deliver more consistent frame rates in modern DirectX 12 engines. Furthermore, the 3060 Ti operates with significantly lower power consumption and heat, making it a more modern and reliable choice for contemporary systems.
The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is the definitive winner in this comparison, providing roughly the same or better power as the older flagship but with more modern features and superior efficiency. it represents a smarter long-term investment for both gamers and creative professionals. The GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER remains a capable card for existing builds, but for anyone looking for and upgrade or building a new PC in 2026, the 3060 Ti is the superior and more advanced choice.
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 14.5% higher G3D Mark score. However, the GeForce RTX 3060 offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-14.5%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+14.5%) |
| Longevity | 🔮Strong Longevity (Ampere / 8nm) | Turing (2018−2022) (12nm) |
| Ecosystem | ✨ DLSS 2 Upscaling | ✨ DLSS 2 Upscaling |
| VRAM | 🎮 High Capacity (12 GB) | 🎮 High Capacity (8 GB) |
| Efficiency | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption |
| Case Fit | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly | Standard Size (267mm) |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $280 versus $289 for the GeForce RTX 3060, it costs 3% less. While it maintains competitive performance, this results in a 18.2% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+18.2%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($289) | ✅More affordable ($280) |
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 3060 and GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER
GeForce RTX 3060
The GeForce RTX 3060 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 12 2021. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1320 MHz to 1777 MHz. It has 3584 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 170W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 28 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 16,995 points. Launch price was $329.
GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER
The GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in July 23 2019. It features the Turing architecture. The core clock ranges from 1650 MHz to 1815 MHz. It has 3072 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 250W. Manufactured using 12 nm process technology. It features 48 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 19,467 points. Launch price was $699.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3060 scores 16,995 versus the GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER's 19,467 — the GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER leads by 14.5%. The GeForce RTX 3060 is built on Ampere while the GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER uses Turing, both on 8 nm vs 12 nm. Shader units: 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 3,072 (GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER). Raw compute: 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 11.15 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER). Boost clocks: 1777 MHz vs 1815 MHz. Ray tracing: 28 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 48 (GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER) with 112 Tensor cores vs 384.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 16,995 | 19,467+15% |
| Architecture | Ampere | Turing |
| Process Node | 8 nm | 12 nm |
| Shading Units | 3584+17% | 3072 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 12.74 TFLOPS+14% | 11.15 TFLOPS |
| Boost Clock | 1777 MHz | 1815 MHz+2% |
| ROPs | 48 | 64+33% |
| TMUs | 112 | 192+71% |
| L1 Cache | 3.5 MB+17% | 3 MB |
| L2 Cache | 3 MB | 4 MB+33% |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 28 | 48+71% |
| Tensor Cores | 112 | 384+243% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | DLSS 2.0 | DLSS 2.0 |
| Frame Generation | FSR 3 / AFMF (Compatible) | FSR 3 / AFMF (Compatible) |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | NVIDIA Reflex | NVIDIA Reflex |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The GeForce RTX 3060 comes with 12 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER has 8 GB. The GeForce RTX 3060 offers 50% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 360 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 496 GB/s (GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER) — a 37.8% advantage for the GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER. Bus width: 192-bit vs 256-bit. L2 Cache: 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 4 MB (GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER) — the GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 12 GB+50% | 8 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 360 GB/s | 496 GB/s+38% |
| Bus Width | 192-bit | 256-bit+33% |
| L2 Cache | 3 MB | 4 MB+33% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 12.1 (GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.2. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 Ultimate | 12.1 |
| Vulkan | 1.3+8% | 1.2 |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 4 | 4 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: NVENC 7th Gen (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 6th Gen NVENC (GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER). Decoder: NVDEC 5th Gen vs 4th Gen NVDEC. Supported codecs: AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC (GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC 7th Gen | 6th Gen NVENC |
| Decoder | NVDEC 5th Gen | 4th Gen NVDEC |
| Codecs | AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 | MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce RTX 3060 draws 170W versus the GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER's 250W — a 38.1% difference. The GeForce RTX 3060 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 650W (GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 6-pin + 8-pin. Card length: 242mm vs 267mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75 vs 80°C.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 170W-32% | 250W |
| Recommended PSU | 550W-15% | 650W |
| Power Connector | 8-pin | 6-pin + 8-pin |
| Length | 242mm | 267mm |
| Height | 112mm | 116mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 75-6% | 80°C |
| Perf/Watt | 100.0+28% | 77.9 |
Value Analysis
The GeForce RTX 3060 launched at $329 MSRP and currently averages $289, while the GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER launched at $699 and now averages $280. The GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER costs 3.1% less ($9 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 58.8 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 69.5 (GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER) — the GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER offers 18.2% better value. The GeForce RTX 3060 is the newer GPU (2021 vs 2019).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $329-53% | $699 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $289 | $280-3% |
| Performance per Dollar | 58.8 | 69.5+18% |
| Codename | GA106 | TU104 |
| Release | January 12 2021 | July 23 2019 |
| Ranking | #114 | #86 |
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