GeForce RTX 3060 12GB vs GeForce RTX 3080 Ti
Performance-wise the GeForce RTX 3080 Ti is out front, dramatically faster, roughly 117% up on the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB. It is also the stronger value pick here, so it's the easy recommendation if your budget allows.
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GeForce RTX 3080 Ti vs GeForce RTX 3060 12GB: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce RTX 3080 Ti vs GeForce RTX 3060 12GB
The GeForce RTX 3080 Ti is dramatically faster, around 117% ahead of the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB. That gap is enough to move it up a tier: the GeForce RTX 3080 Ti is comfortable at 1440p, while the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is better matched to 1080p. The GeForce RTX 3080 Ti packs 10,240 CUDA cores versus 3,584 on the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB. The GeForce RTX 3080 Ti also has more RT cores (80 vs 28) and more AI cores (320 vs 112), strengthening its ray-tracing and AI-upscaling performance.
Price & Value
Right now the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB starts at $294 EUR against $599 EUR for the GeForce RTX 3080 Ti. Because it's both faster and competitively priced, the GeForce RTX 3080 Ti wins on performance-per-dollar by about 6%. The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is trading below its $329 EUR MSRP — a genuine deal. The GeForce RTX 3080 Ti is trading below its $1,199 EUR MSRP — a genuine deal.
Power & Efficiency
The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is the lighter draw at 170W against the GeForce RTX 3080 Ti's 350W, making it the easier card to power and cool. The GeForce RTX 3080 Ti draws more in absolute terms but squeezes out more performance per watt, so budget for a beefier PSU if you go that route.
Memory & Bandwidth
The GeForce RTX 3080 Ti's memory is faster — 912 GB/s versus 360 GB/s (384-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 3080 Ti?
The GeForce RTX 3080 Ti 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 3060 12GB if you find it at a steep discount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GeForce RTX 3080 Ti better than the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB or the GeForce RTX 3080 Ti?
Is the GeForce RTX 3080 Ti worth the extra $305 EUR over the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB?
Which is better for ray tracing, the GeForce RTX 3080 Ti or the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB?
Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 3060 12GB or GeForce RTX 3080 Ti?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | GeForce RTX 3080 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Ampere | Ampere |
| Process Node | Samsung 8nm | Samsung 8nm |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 3,584 | 10,240✓ |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 28 | 80✓ |
| Tensor / AI Cores | 112 | 320✓ |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | GeForce RTX 3080 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,320 MHz | 1,365 MHz✓ |
| Boost Clock | 1,777 MHz✓ | 1,665 MHz |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | GeForce RTX 3080 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 12 GB | 12 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR6X |
| Memory Bus | 192-bit | 384-bit✓ |
| Memory Speed | 15 Gbps | 19 Gbps✓ |
| Bandwidth | 360 GB/s | 912 GB/s✓ |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | GeForce RTX 3080 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 4.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x16 |
| TDP | 170 W✓ | 350 W |
| Power Connectors | 1x 8-pin | 1x 12-pin |
| Released | Feb 2021 | May 2021 |
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