GPU Comparison
Select up to 2 GPUs to analyze their pricing, performance, and specifications side-by-side.
Market Value Leader
GeForce RTX 3090 is the clear winner, offering 26.3% better value than GeForce RTX 2080.
On raw speed the GeForce RTX 3090 comes out dramatically faster — about 105% ahead of the GeForce RTX 2080. It also wins on performance-per-dollar, making it the cleaner choice when you can afford it.
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GeForce RTX 3090 vs GeForce RTX 2080: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce RTX 3090 vs GeForce RTX 2080
The GeForce RTX 3090 is dramatically faster, around 105% ahead of the GeForce RTX 2080. That gap is enough to move it up a tier: the GeForce RTX 3090 is comfortable at 1440p, while the GeForce RTX 2080 is better matched to 1080p. The GeForce RTX 3090 packs 10,496 CUDA cores versus 2,944 on the GeForce RTX 2080.
Price & Value
The GeForce RTX 2080 currently lists from $969 EUR, $606 EUR less than the GeForce RTX 3090 at $1,575 EUR. Because it's both faster and competitively priced, the GeForce RTX 3090 wins on performance-per-dollar by about 26%. The GeForce RTX 2080 still sits about $270 EUR above its $699 EUR MSRP. The GeForce RTX 3090 still sits about $76 EUR above its $1,499 EUR MSRP.
Power & Efficiency
On power, the GeForce RTX 2080 is the gentler choice at 225W versus 350W. The GeForce RTX 3090 is more efficient per watt because it's faster, but its higher 350W draw means more heat and a bigger PSU. 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 RTX 3090 carries 24GB versus 8GB on the GeForce RTX 2080. The extra 16GB helps at 4K, with high-resolution texture packs, and for content-creation or local-AI workloads that exhaust smaller buffers. The GeForce RTX 3090's memory is also faster — 936 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 3090 is roughly 2 years newer than the GeForce RTX 2080 (Ampere vs Turing), so it generally benefits from a more modern architecture and longer driver-support runway.
Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 2080 or GeForce RTX 3090?
The GeForce RTX 3090 is the all-round winner here — it's faster and the better value, so buy it if it fits your budget. Only consider the GeForce RTX 2080 if you find it at a steep discount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GeForce RTX 3090 better than the GeForce RTX 2080?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce RTX 2080 or the GeForce RTX 3090?
Is the GeForce RTX 3090 worth the extra $606 EUR over the GeForce RTX 2080?
Does the GeForce RTX 3090 have enough VRAM advantage to matter?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce RTX 2080 | GeForce RTX 3090 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Turing | Ampere |
| Process Node | TSMC 12nm | Samsung 8nm |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 2,944 | 10,496✓ |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 46 | 82✓ |
| Tensor / AI Cores | 368✓ | 328 |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | GeForce RTX 2080 | GeForce RTX 3090 |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,515 MHz✓ | 1,395 MHz |
| Boost Clock | 1,710 MHz✓ | 1,695 MHz |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce RTX 2080 | GeForce RTX 3090 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 8 GB | 24 GB✓ |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR6X |
| Memory Bus | 256-bit | 384-bit✓ |
| Memory Speed | 14 Gbps | 19.5 Gbps✓ |
| Bandwidth | 448 GB/s | 936 GB/s✓ |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | GeForce RTX 2080 | GeForce RTX 3090 |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 3.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x16 |
| TDP | 225 W✓ | 350 W |
| Power Connectors | 1x 6-pin + 1x 8-pin | 1x 12-pin |
| Released | Sep 2018 | Sep 2020 |
