GPU Comparison
Select up to 2 GPUs to analyze their pricing, performance, and specifications side-by-side.
On raw speed the GeForce GTX 1080 comes out significantly faster — about 23% ahead of the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB. But the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is the better value, undercutting it by $99 CAD for the performance you get.
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GeForce GTX 1080 vs GeForce RTX 3050 6GB: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce GTX 1080 vs GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
The GeForce GTX 1080 is significantly faster, around 23% ahead of the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB. That gap is enough to move it up a tier: the GeForce GTX 1080 is comfortable at 1080p, while the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is better matched to entry-level 1080p.
Price & Value
The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB currently lists from $251 CAD, $99 CAD less than the GeForce GTX 1080 at $350 CAD. Despite being slower, the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB offers the better performance-per-dollar (~13% better value), so budget-focused buyers should weigh it carefully. The GeForce GTX 1080 is trading below its $599 CAD MSRP — a genuine deal.
Power & Efficiency
At 130W against 180W, the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is both the lower-power and the more efficient card, making it the easier build to cool and power. Its more modern Ampere architecture on a Samsung 8nm process is part of why it does more with each watt.
VRAM & Future-Proofing
The GeForce GTX 1080 carries 8GB versus 6GB on the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB. The extra 2GB helps at 4K, with high-resolution texture packs, and for content-creation or local-AI workloads that exhaust smaller buffers. The GeForce GTX 1080's memory is also faster — 320 GB/s versus 224 GB/s (256-bit vs 128-bit bus) — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.
Generation & Longevity
The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is roughly 6 years newer than the GeForce GTX 1080 (Ampere vs Pascal), so it generally benefits from a more modern architecture and longer driver-support runway.
Which should you buy: GeForce GTX 1080 or GeForce RTX 3050 6GB?
Choose the GeForce GTX 1080 if you want the most performance and can absorb the higher price. If you're optimizing for value, the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB stretches your money further for only slightly lower performance.