GeForce RTX 3060 12GB vs GeForce RTX 3080
The GeForce RTX 3080 is dramatically faster than the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB, leading by roughly 94% in our performance index. The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB, however, delivers more performance per dollar — $372 EUR cheaper.
Market Value Leader
It's a tight race! Both the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB and the GeForce RTX 3080 offer nearly identical market value.
Maximum Capacity Reached. Remove a model to add another. (2/2)
GeForce RTX 3080 vs GeForce RTX 3060 12GB: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce RTX 3080 vs GeForce RTX 3060 12GB
The GeForce RTX 3080 is dramatically faster, around 94% ahead of the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB. That gap is enough to move it up a tier: the GeForce RTX 3080 is comfortable at 1440p, while the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is better matched to 1080p. The GeForce RTX 3080 packs 8,704 CUDA cores versus 3,584 on the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB. The GeForce RTX 3080 also has more RT cores (68 vs 28) and more AI cores (272 vs 112), strengthening its ray-tracing and AI-upscaling performance.
Price & Value
Right now the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB starts at $394 EUR against $766 EUR for the GeForce RTX 3080. Despite being slower, the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB offers the better performance-per-dollar, so budget-focused buyers should weigh it carefully.
Power & Efficiency
The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB 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 3080 draws more overall but extracts more performance from each watt — plan for a sturdier power supply if you pick it.
VRAM & Future-Proofing
With 12GB against 10GB, the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB has more headroom for 4K textures and memory-hungry creative/AI tasks where the GeForce RTX 3080's 10GB can fall short. The GeForce RTX 3080's memory is also faster — 760 GB/s versus 360 GB/s (320-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?
Choose the GeForce RTX 3080 if you want the most performance and can absorb the higher price. If you're optimizing for value, the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB stretches your money further for only slightly lower performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GeForce RTX 3080 better than the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB or the GeForce RTX 3080?
Is the GeForce RTX 3080 worth the extra $372 EUR over the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB?
Does the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB have enough VRAM advantage to matter?
Which is better for ray tracing, the GeForce RTX 3080 or the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB?
Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 3060 12GB or GeForce RTX 3080?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | GeForce RTX 3080 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Ampere | Ampere |
| Process Node | Samsung 8nm | Samsung 8nm |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 3,584 | 8,704✓ |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 28 | 68✓ |
| Tensor / AI Cores | 112 | 272✓ |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | GeForce RTX 3080 |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,320 MHz | 1,440 MHz✓ |
| Boost Clock | 1,777 MHz✓ | 1,710 MHz |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | GeForce RTX 3080 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 12 GB✓ | 10 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR6X |
| Memory Bus | 192-bit | 320-bit✓ |
| Memory Speed | 15 Gbps | 19 Gbps✓ |
| Bandwidth | 360 GB/s | 760 GB/s✓ |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | GeForce RTX 3080 |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 4.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x16 |
| TDP | 170 W✓ | 320 W |
| Power Connectors | 1x 8-pin | 1x 12-pin |
| Released | Feb 2021 | Sep 2020 |
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