GeForce RTX 3080 12GB vs GeForce RTX 4080
On raw speed the GeForce RTX 4080 comes out ahead: far and away the quicker card, about 49% ahead of the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB. Best performance and best value in one card here — the clear recommendation if you can afford it.
Maximum Capacity Reached. Remove a model to add another. (2/2)
GeForce RTX 4080 vs GeForce RTX 3080 12GB: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce RTX 4080 vs GeForce RTX 3080 12GB
The GeForce RTX 4080 is dramatically faster, around 49% ahead of the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB. That gap is enough to move it up a tier: the GeForce RTX 4080 is comfortable at 4K with upscaling and native 1440p, while the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB is better matched to 1440p. The GeForce RTX 4080 packs 9,728 CUDA cores versus 8,960 on the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB.
Price & Value
The GeForce RTX 3080 12GB currently lists from $214,921 JPY, $104,067 JPY less than the GeForce RTX 4080 at $318,988 JPY. Because it's both faster and competitively priced, the GeForce RTX 4080 wins on performance-per-dollar. The GeForce RTX 3080 12GB still sits about $214,122 JPY above its $799 JPY MSRP. The GeForce RTX 4080 still sits about $317,789 JPY above its $1,199 JPY MSRP.
Power & Efficiency
At 320W against 350W, the GeForce RTX 4080 is both the lower-power and the more efficient card, making it the easier build to cool and power.
VRAM & Future-Proofing
VRAM favors the GeForce RTX 4080 at 16GB versus 12GB on the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB — that extra 4GB matters most at 4K, with high-res texture packs, and for content-creation/local-AI work. The GeForce RTX 3080 12GB's memory is also faster — 912 GB/s versus 717 GB/s (384-bit vs 256-bit bus) — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.
Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 3080 12GB or GeForce RTX 4080?
The GeForce RTX 4080 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 3080 12GB if you find it at a steep discount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GeForce RTX 4080 better than the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB or the GeForce RTX 4080?
Is the GeForce RTX 4080 worth the extra $104,067 JPY over the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB?
Does the GeForce RTX 4080 have enough VRAM advantage to matter?
Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 3080 12GB or GeForce RTX 4080?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3080 12GB | GeForce RTX 4080 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Ampere | Ada Lovelace |
| Process Node | Samsung 8nm | TSMC 4N |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 8,960 | 9,728✓ |
| Ray Tracing Cores | — | 76 |
| Tensor / AI Cores | — | 304 |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3080 12GB | GeForce RTX 4080 |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,440 MHz | 2,205 MHz✓ |
| Boost Clock | 1,710 MHz | 2,505 MHz✓ |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3080 12GB | GeForce RTX 4080 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 12 GB | 16 GB✓ |
| Memory Type | GDDR6X | GDDR6X |
| Memory Bus | 384-bit✓ | 256-bit |
| Memory Speed | 19 Gbps | 22.4 Gbps✓ |
| Bandwidth | 912 GB/s✓ | 716.8 GB/s |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3080 12GB | GeForce RTX 4080 |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 4.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x16 |
| TDP | 350 W | 320 W✓ |
| Power Connectors | 2x 8-pin | 1x 16-pin |
| Released | Jan 2022 | Sep 2022 |
