GeForce RTX 3080 12GB vs GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 16GB
The GeForce RTX 3080 12GB is a massive performance leap — leading the GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 16GB by roughly 42% in our performance index.
Maximum Capacity Reached. Remove a model to add another. (2/2)
GeForce RTX 3080 12GB vs GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 16GB: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce RTX 3080 12GB vs GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 16GB
The GeForce RTX 3080 12GB is dramatically faster, around 42% ahead of the GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 16GB. Both cards sit in the same broad class, well suited to 1440p. The GeForce RTX 3080 12GB packs 8,960 CUDA cores versus 4,352 on the GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 16GB.
Power & Efficiency
The GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 16GB draws just 160W versus 350W for the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB, and it also delivers more performance per watt — so it runs cooler and quieter and needs less PSU headroom. Its more modern Ada Lovelace architecture on a TSMC N4 process is part of why it does more with each watt.
VRAM & Future-Proofing
With 16GB against 12GB, the GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 16GB has more headroom for 4K textures and memory-hungry creative/AI tasks where the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB's 12GB can fall short. The GeForce RTX 3080 12GB's memory is also faster — 912 GB/s versus 288 GB/s (384-bit vs 128-bit bus) — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.
Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 3080 12GB or GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 16GB?
The GeForce RTX 3080 12GB is the faster card by about 42%. 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 3080 12GB better than the GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 16GB?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB or the GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 16GB?
Does the GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 16GB have enough VRAM advantage to matter?
Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 3080 12GB or GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 16GB?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3080 12GB | GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 16GB |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Ampere | Ada Lovelace |
| Process Node | Samsung 8nm | TSMC N4 |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 8,960✓ | 4,352 |
| Ray Tracing Cores | — | 34 |
| Tensor / AI Cores | — | 136 |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3080 12GB | GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 16GB |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,440 MHz | 2,310 MHz✓ |
| Boost Clock | 1,710 MHz | 2,535 MHz✓ |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3080 12GB | GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 16GB |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 12 GB | 16 GB✓ |
| Memory Type | GDDR6X | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bus | 384-bit✓ | 128-bit |
| Memory Speed | 19 Gbps✓ | 18 Gbps |
| Bandwidth | 912 GB/s✓ | 288 GB/s |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3080 12GB | GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 16GB |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 4.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x8 |
| TDP | 350 W | 160 W✓ |
| Power Connectors | 2x 8-pin | 1x 8-pin |
| Released | Jan 2022 | May 2023 |
Related Reading

How to Run Powerful Local LLMs on a Budget GPU in 2026
An 8GB GPU can now run near-flagship open models locally. Here's how QAT, MoE, llama.cpp offloading and MTP turn a budget PC into a private AI rig in 2026.

Intel Arc A770 in 2026: The Used-Market 16GB Card — What Still Works, and What Still Breaks
The A770 is discontinued Alchemist silicon with a 16GB frame buffer and a 256-bit bus. Four years of driver work fixed a lot — and left some things broken. An honest read on who should buy one used, and who absolutely should not.