GeForce RTX 3070 vs GeForce RTX 3080 12GB
On raw speed the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB comes out ahead: well ahead on speed, about 37% ahead of the GeForce RTX 3070. That said, the GeForce RTX 3070 is the smarter buy on value — $947 EUR less for the performance on offer.
Maximum Capacity Reached. Remove a model to add another. (2/2)
GeForce RTX 3080 12GB vs GeForce RTX 3070: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce RTX 3080 12GB vs GeForce RTX 3070
The GeForce RTX 3080 12GB is significantly faster, around 37% ahead of the GeForce RTX 3070. Both cards sit in the same broad class, well suited to 1440p. The GeForce RTX 3080 12GB packs 8,960 CUDA cores versus 5,888 on the GeForce RTX 3070.
Price & Value
The GeForce RTX 3070 currently lists from $500 EUR, $947 EUR less than the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB at $1,447 EUR. Despite being slower, the GeForce RTX 3070 offers the better performance-per-dollar (~111% better value), so budget-focused buyers should weigh it carefully. The GeForce RTX 3080 12GB still sits about $648 EUR above its $799 EUR MSRP.
Power & Efficiency
At 220W against 350W, the GeForce RTX 3070 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 3080 12GB at 12GB versus 8GB on the GeForce RTX 3070 — 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 448 GB/s (384-bit vs 256-bit bus) — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.
Generation & Longevity
The GeForce RTX 3080 12GB is roughly 2 years newer than the GeForce RTX 3070, so it generally benefits from a more modern architecture and longer driver-support runway.
Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 3070 or GeForce RTX 3080 12GB?
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 3070 stretches your money further for only slightly lower performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB better than the GeForce RTX 3070?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce RTX 3070 or the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB?
Is the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB worth the extra $947 EUR over the GeForce RTX 3070?
Does the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB have enough VRAM advantage to matter?
Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 3070 or GeForce RTX 3080 12GB?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3070 | GeForce RTX 3080 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Ampere | Ampere |
| Process Node | Samsung 8nm | Samsung 8nm |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 5,888 | 8,960✓ |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 46 | — |
| Tensor / AI Cores | 184 | — |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3070 | GeForce RTX 3080 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,500 MHz✓ | 1,440 MHz |
| Boost Clock | 1,725 MHz✓ | 1,710 MHz |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3070 | GeForce RTX 3080 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 8 GB | 12 GB✓ |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR6X |
| Memory Bus | 256-bit | 384-bit✓ |
| Memory Speed | 14 Gbps | 19 Gbps✓ |
| Bandwidth | 448 GB/s | 912 GB/s✓ |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3070 | GeForce RTX 3080 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 4.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x16 |
| TDP | 220 W✓ | 350 W |
| Power Connectors | 1x 12-pin | 2x 8-pin |
| Released | Sep 2020 | Jan 2022 |