GeForce RTX 3080 12GB vs GeForce RTX 5060
The GeForce RTX 3080 12GB is a massive performance leap — leading the GeForce RTX 5060 by roughly 42% in our performance index. The GeForce RTX 5060, however, delivers more performance per dollar — $205,027 JPY cheaper.
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GeForce RTX 3080 12GB vs GeForce RTX 5060: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce RTX 3080 12GB vs GeForce RTX 5060
The GeForce RTX 3080 12GB is dramatically faster, around 42% ahead of the GeForce RTX 5060. Both cards sit in the same broad class, well suited to 1440p. The GeForce RTX 3080 12GB packs 8,960 CUDA cores versus 3,840 on the GeForce RTX 5060.
Price & Value
On price, expect to pay $59,576 JPY for the GeForce RTX 5060 versus $264,603 JPY for the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB. Despite being slower, the GeForce RTX 5060 offers the better performance-per-dollar (~212% better value), so budget-focused buyers should weigh it carefully. The GeForce RTX 5060 still sits about $59,277 JPY above its $299 JPY MSRP. The GeForce RTX 3080 12GB still sits about $263,804 JPY above its $799 JPY MSRP.
Power & Efficiency
The GeForce RTX 5060 draws just 145W versus 350W for the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB, and it also delivers more performance per watt — so it runs cooler and quieter and needs less PSU headroom. Its more modern Blackwell architecture on a TSMC 4N process is part of why it does more with each watt.
VRAM & Future-Proofing
With 12GB against 8GB, the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB has more headroom for 4K textures and memory-hungry creative/AI tasks where the GeForce RTX 5060's 8GB can fall short. The GeForce RTX 3080 12GB's memory is also faster — 912 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 is roughly 3 years newer than the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB (Blackwell vs Ampere), so it generally benefits from a more modern architecture and longer driver-support runway.
Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 3080 12GB or GeForce RTX 5060?
Choose the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB if you want the most performance and can absorb the higher price. If you're optimizing for value, the GeForce RTX 5060 stretches your money further for only slightly lower performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB better than the GeForce RTX 5060?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB or the GeForce RTX 5060?
Is the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB worth the extra $205,027 JPY over the GeForce RTX 5060?
Does the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB have enough VRAM advantage to matter?
Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 3080 12GB or GeForce RTX 5060?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3080 12GB | GeForce RTX 5060 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Ampere | Blackwell |
| Process Node | Samsung 8nm | TSMC 4N |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 8,960✓ | 3,840 |
| Ray Tracing Cores | — | 30 |
| Tensor / AI Cores | — | 120 |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3080 12GB | GeForce RTX 5060 |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,440 MHz | 2,280 MHz✓ |
| Boost Clock | 1,710 MHz | 2,497 MHz✓ |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3080 12GB | GeForce RTX 5060 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 12 GB✓ | 8 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6X | GDDR7 |
| Memory Bus | 384-bit✓ | 128-bit |
| Memory Speed | 19 Gbps | 28 Gbps✓ |
| Bandwidth | 912 GB/s✓ | 448 GB/s |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3080 12GB | GeForce RTX 5060 |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 4.0 x16 | PCIe 5.0 x16 |
| TDP | 350 W | 145 W✓ |
| Power Connectors | 2x 8-pin | 1x 16-pin |
| Released | Jan 2022 | May 2025 |