GeForce RTX 3090 vs GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8GB
Performance-wise the GeForce RTX 3090 is out front, significantly faster, roughly 26% up on the GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8GB. Value tips toward the GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8GB, though: $1,686 EUR cheaper for what you get.
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GeForce RTX 3090 vs GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8GB: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce RTX 3090 vs GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8GB
The GeForce RTX 3090 is significantly faster, around 26% ahead of the GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8GB. Both cards sit in the same broad class, well suited to 1440p. The GeForce RTX 3090 packs 10,496 CUDA cores versus 4,608 on the GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8GB.
Price & Value
Right now the GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8GB starts at $504 EUR against $2,190 EUR for the GeForce RTX 3090. Despite being slower, the GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8GB offers the better performance-per-dollar (~245% better value), so budget-focused buyers should weigh it carefully. The GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8GB still sits about $125 EUR above its $379 EUR MSRP. The GeForce RTX 3090 still sits about $691 EUR above its $1,499 EUR MSRP.
Power & Efficiency
The GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8GB sips power at 180W next to the GeForce RTX 3090's 350W, and still leads on performance-per-watt — quieter, cooler, and gentler on your PSU. Its more modern Blackwell architecture on a TSMC 4N process is part of why it does more with each watt.
VRAM & Future-Proofing
The GeForce RTX 3090's 24GB (vs 8GB on the GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8GB) gives it more room for 4K textures and memory-hungry creative or AI workloads. The GeForce RTX 3090's memory is also faster — 936 GB/s versus 448 GB/s (384-bit vs 128-bit bus) — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.
Generation & Longevity
The GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8GB is roughly 5 years newer than the GeForce RTX 3090 (Blackwell vs Ampere), so it generally benefits from a more modern architecture and longer driver-support runway.
Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 3090 or GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8GB?
Choose the GeForce RTX 3090 if you want the most performance and can absorb the higher price. If you're optimizing for value, the GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8GB stretches your money further for only slightly lower performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GeForce RTX 3090 better than the GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8GB?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce RTX 3090 or the GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8GB?
Is the GeForce RTX 3090 worth the extra $1,686 EUR over the GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8GB?
Does the GeForce RTX 3090 have enough VRAM advantage to matter?
Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 3090 or GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8GB?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3090 | GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Ampere | Blackwell |
| Process Node | Samsung 8nm | TSMC 4N |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 10,496✓ | 4,608 |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 82✓ | 36 |
| Tensor / AI Cores | 328✓ | 144 |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3090 | GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,395 MHz | 2,407 MHz✓ |
| Boost Clock | 1,695 MHz | 2,572 MHz✓ |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3090 | GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 24 GB✓ | 8 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6X | GDDR7 |
| Memory Bus | 384-bit✓ | 128-bit |
| Memory Speed | 19.5 Gbps | 28 Gbps✓ |
| Bandwidth | 936 GB/s✓ | 448 GB/s |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3090 | GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 4.0 x16 | PCIe 5.0 x16 |
| TDP | 350 W | 180 W✓ |
| Power Connectors | 1x 12-pin | 1x 16-pin |
| Released | Sep 2020 | Apr 2025 |
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