GPU Comparison
Select up to 2 GPUs to analyze their pricing, performance, and specifications side-by-side.
Market Value Leader
Only verified data for GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is available. Benchmarks for other models are currently being processed.
On raw speed the GeForce RTX 4080 comes out dramatically faster — about 206% ahead of the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB.
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Comparable or lower specs
GeForce RTX 4080 vs GeForce RTX 3060 12GB: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce RTX 4080 vs GeForce RTX 3060 12GB
The GeForce RTX 4080 is dramatically faster, around 206% ahead of the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB. That gap is enough to move it up a tier: the GeForce RTX 4080 is comfortable at 4K with upscaling and native 1440p, while the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is better matched to 1080p. The GeForce RTX 4080 packs 9,728 CUDA cores versus 3,584 on the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB.
Power & Efficiency
On power, the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is the gentler choice at 170W versus 320W. The GeForce RTX 4080 is more efficient per watt because it's faster, but its higher 320W draw means more heat and a bigger PSU. Its more modern Ada Lovelace architecture on a TSMC 4N process is part of why it does more with each watt.
VRAM & Future-Proofing
The GeForce RTX 4080 carries 16GB versus 12GB on the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB. The extra 4GB helps at 4K, with high-resolution texture packs, and for content-creation or local-AI workloads that exhaust smaller buffers. The GeForce RTX 4080's memory is also faster — 717 GB/s versus 360 GB/s (256-bit vs 192-bit bus) — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.
Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 3060 12GB or GeForce RTX 4080?
The GeForce RTX 4080 is the faster card by about 206%. With live pricing limited for this pair, base your decision on the spec differences above — particularly VRAM and power draw — and check current stock before buying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GeForce RTX 4080 better than the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB or the GeForce RTX 4080?
Does the GeForce RTX 4080 have enough VRAM advantage to matter?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | GeForce RTX 4080 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Ampere | Ada Lovelace |
| Process Node | Samsung 8nm | TSMC 4N |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 3,584 | 9,728✓ |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 28 | 76✓ |
| Tensor / AI Cores | 112 | 304✓ |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | GeForce RTX 4080 |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,320 MHz | 2,205 MHz✓ |
| Boost Clock | 1,777 MHz | 2,505 MHz✓ |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | GeForce RTX 4080 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 12 GB | 16 GB✓ |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR6X |
| Memory Bus | 192-bit | 256-bit✓ |
| Memory Speed | 15 Gbps | 22.4 Gbps✓ |
| Bandwidth | 360 GB/s | 716.8 GB/s✓ |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | GeForce RTX 4080 |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 4.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x16 |
| TDP | 170 W✓ | 320 W |
| Power Connectors | 1x 8-pin | 1x 16-pin |
| Released | Feb 2021 | Sep 2022 |
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