GeForce RTX 3060 Ti vs GeForce RTX 3080 12GB
Performance-wise the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB is out front, dramatically faster, roughly 54% up on the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti. Value tips toward the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti, though: $1,714 AUD cheaper for what you get.
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Comparable or lower specs
GeForce RTX 3080 12GB vs GeForce RTX 3060 Ti: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce RTX 3080 12GB vs GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
The GeForce RTX 3080 12GB is dramatically faster, around 54% ahead of the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti. That gap is enough to move it up a tier: the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB is comfortable at 1440p, while the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is better matched to 1080p. The GeForce RTX 3080 12GB packs 8,960 CUDA cores versus 4,864 on the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti.
Price & Value
Right now the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti starts at $629 AUD against $2,343 AUD for the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB. Despite being slower, the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti offers the better performance-per-dollar (~142% better value), so budget-focused buyers should weigh it carefully. The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti still sits about $230 AUD above its $399 AUD MSRP. The GeForce RTX 3080 12GB still sits about $1,544 AUD above its $799 AUD MSRP.
Power & Efficiency
The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti sips power at 200W next to the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB's 350W, and still leads on performance-per-watt — quieter, cooler, and gentler on your PSU.
VRAM & Future-Proofing
The GeForce RTX 3080 12GB's 12GB (vs 8GB on the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti) gives it more room for 4K textures and memory-hungry creative or AI workloads. The GeForce RTX 3080 12GB's memory is also faster — 912 GB/s versus 448 GB/s (384-bit vs 256-bit bus) — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.
Generation & Longevity
The GeForce RTX 3080 12GB is roughly 2 years newer than the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti, so it generally benefits from a more modern architecture and longer driver-support runway.
Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 3060 Ti or GeForce RTX 3080 12GB?
Choose the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB if you want the most performance and can absorb the higher price. If you're optimizing for value, the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti stretches your money further for only slightly lower performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB better than the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti or the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB?
Is the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB worth the extra $1,714 AUD over the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti?
Does the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB have enough VRAM advantage to matter?
Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 3060 Ti or GeForce RTX 3080 12GB?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3060 Ti | GeForce RTX 3080 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Ampere | Ampere |
| Process Node | Samsung 8nm | Samsung 8nm |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 4,864 | 8,960✓ |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 38 | — |
| Tensor / AI Cores | 152 | — |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3060 Ti | GeForce RTX 3080 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,410 MHz | 1,440 MHz✓ |
| Boost Clock | 1,665 MHz | 1,710 MHz✓ |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3060 Ti | GeForce RTX 3080 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 8 GB | 12 GB✓ |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR6X |
| Memory Bus | 256-bit | 384-bit✓ |
| Memory Speed | 14 Gbps | 19 Gbps✓ |
| Bandwidth | 448 GB/s | 912 GB/s✓ |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3060 Ti | GeForce RTX 3080 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 4.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x16 |
| TDP | 200 W✓ | 350 W |
| Power Connectors | 1x 12-pin | 2x 8-pin |
| Released | Dec 2020 | Jan 2022 |