GPU Comparison

Select up to 2 GPUs to analyze their pricing, performance, and specifications side-by-side.

Quick Verdict

The GeForce RTX 4080 is dramatically faster than the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB, leading by roughly 244% in our performance index. The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB, however, delivers more performance per dollar — $1,592 CAD cheaper.

Maximum Capacity Reached. Remove a model to add another. (2/2)

VS
NVIDIA
GeForce RTX 3060 8GB
Price
$603 CAD
Performance
16%
VRAM
8 GB GDDR6
Key Specs Advantage

Comparable or lower specs

Price
$2,195 CAD
Performance
55%
VRAM
16 GB GDDR6X
Key Specs Advantage
+199% Bandwidth (716.8 GB/s vs 240 GB/s)
+171% CUDA Cores (9,728 vs 3,584)
+171% RT Cores (76 vs 28)

GeForce RTX 4080 vs GeForce RTX 3060 8GB: In-Depth Breakdown

Performance: GeForce RTX 4080 vs GeForce RTX 3060 8GB

The GeForce RTX 4080 is dramatically faster, around 244% ahead of the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB. 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 8GB is better matched to 1080p. The GeForce RTX 4080 packs 9,728 CUDA cores versus 3,584 on the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB.

Price & Value

Right now the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB starts at $603 CAD against $2,195 CAD for the GeForce RTX 4080. Despite being slower, the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB offers the better performance-per-dollar (~6% better value), so budget-focused buyers should weigh it carefully. The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB still sits about $274 CAD above its $329 CAD MSRP. The GeForce RTX 4080 still sits about $996 CAD above its $1,199 CAD MSRP.

Power & Efficiency

The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB pulls less power (170W vs 320W), so it's the easier card to cool and the lighter load on your PSU. The faster GeForce RTX 4080 draws more overall but extracts more performance from each watt — plan for a sturdier power supply if you pick it. Its more modern Ada Lovelace architecture on a TSMC 4N process is part of why it does more with each watt.

VRAM & Future-Proofing

With 16GB against 8GB, the GeForce RTX 4080 has more headroom for 4K textures and memory-hungry creative/AI tasks where the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB's 8GB can fall short. The GeForce RTX 4080's memory is also faster — 717 GB/s versus 240 GB/s (256-bit vs 128-bit bus) — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.

Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 3060 8GB or GeForce RTX 4080?

Choose the GeForce RTX 4080 if you want the most performance and can absorb the higher price. If you're optimizing for value, the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB stretches your money further for only slightly lower performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the GeForce RTX 4080 better than the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB?

The GeForce RTX 4080 is dramatically faster, roughly 244% ahead. The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB is still worth it if value matters more than top-end frames.

Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB or the GeForce RTX 4080?

The GeForce RTX 4080 is the better 4K option — it's comfortable at 4K with upscaling and native 1440p, and its 16GB of VRAM helps with 4K textures.

Is the GeForce RTX 4080 worth the extra $1,592 CAD over the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB?

Only if you need the extra performance or features; on pure value the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB comes out ahead.

Does the GeForce RTX 4080 have enough VRAM advantage to matter?

Its 16GB (vs 8GB) gives real headroom for 4K, heavy texture mods, and creative/AI work. At 1080p the gap matters less.

Technical Specifications Comparison

Architecture & Cores

SpecificationGeForce RTX 3060 8GBGeForce RTX 4080
ArchitectureAmpereAda Lovelace
Process NodeSamsung 8nmTSMC 4N
CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores)3,5849,728
Ray Tracing Cores2876
Tensor / AI Cores112304

Clock Speeds

SpecificationGeForce RTX 3060 8GBGeForce RTX 4080
Base Clock1,320 MHz2,205 MHz
Boost Clock1,777 MHz2,505 MHz

Memory

SpecificationGeForce RTX 3060 8GBGeForce RTX 4080
VRAM Capacity8 GB16 GB
Memory TypeGDDR6GDDR6X
Memory Bus128-bit256-bit
Memory Speed15 Gbps22.4 Gbps
Bandwidth240 GB/s716.8 GB/s

Connectivity & Power

SpecificationGeForce RTX 3060 8GBGeForce RTX 4080
InterfacePCIe 4.0 x16PCIe 4.0 x16
TDP170 W320 W
Power Connectors1x 8-pin1x 16-pin
ReleasedFeb 2021Sep 2022