GPU Comparison
Select up to 2 GPUs to analyze their pricing, performance, and specifications side-by-side.
Market Value Leader
Market comparison is currently pending while we verify the latest benchmarks for GeForce GTX 1080 and GeForce RTX 3050 6GB.
On raw speed the GeForce GTX 1080 comes out significantly faster — about 30% ahead of the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB. But the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is the better value, undercutting it by $85,908 JPY for the performance you get.
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GeForce GTX 1080 vs GeForce RTX 3050 6GB: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce GTX 1080 vs GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
The GeForce GTX 1080 is significantly faster, around 30% ahead of the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB. Both cards sit in the same broad class, well suited to entry-level 1080p.
Price & Value
The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB currently lists from $37,172 JPY, $85,908 JPY less than the GeForce GTX 1080 at $123,080 JPY. Despite being slower, the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB offers the better performance-per-dollar (~155% better value), so budget-focused buyers should weigh it carefully. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB still sits about $37,003 JPY above its $169 JPY MSRP. The GeForce GTX 1080 still sits about $122,481 JPY above its $599 JPY MSRP.
Power & Efficiency
At 130W against 180W, the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is both the lower-power and the more efficient card, making it the easier build to cool and power. 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 GTX 1080 carries 8GB versus 6GB on the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB. The extra 2GB helps at 4K, with high-resolution texture packs, and for content-creation or local-AI workloads that exhaust smaller buffers. The GeForce GTX 1080's memory is also faster — 320 GB/s versus 224 GB/s (256-bit vs 128-bit bus) — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.
Generation & Longevity
The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is roughly 6 years newer than the GeForce GTX 1080 (Ampere vs Pascal), so it generally benefits from a more modern architecture and longer driver-support runway.
Which should you buy: GeForce GTX 1080 or GeForce RTX 3050 6GB?
Choose the GeForce GTX 1080 if you want the most performance and can absorb the higher price. If you're optimizing for value, the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB stretches your money further for only slightly lower performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GeForce GTX 1080 better than the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce GTX 1080 or the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB?
Is the GeForce GTX 1080 worth the extra $85,908 JPY over the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB?
Does the GeForce GTX 1080 have enough VRAM advantage to matter?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1080 | GeForce RTX 3050 6GB |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Pascal | Ampere |
| Process Node | TSMC 16nm | Samsung 8nm |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 2,560 | 2,560 |
| Ray Tracing Cores | — | 20 |
| Tensor / AI Cores | — | 80 |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1080 | GeForce RTX 3050 6GB |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,607 MHz✓ | 1,552 MHz |
| Boost Clock | 1,733 MHz | 1,777 MHz✓ |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1080 | GeForce RTX 3050 6GB |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 8 GB✓ | 6 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5X | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bus | 256-bit✓ | 128-bit |
| Memory Speed | 10 Gbps | 14 Gbps✓ |
| Bandwidth | 320 GB/s✓ | 224 GB/s |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1080 | GeForce RTX 3050 6GB |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 3.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x8 |
| TDP | 180 W | 130 W✓ |
| Power Connectors | 1x 8-pin | 1x 8-pin |
| Released | May 2016 | Jan 2022 |