GeForce RTX 3080 12GB vs GeForce RTX 5070
The GeForce RTX 5070 pulls ahead here — substantially quicker, about 24% ahead of the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB. It also wins on performance-per-dollar, making it the cleaner choice when you can afford it.
Maximum Capacity Reached. Remove a model to add another. (2/2)
GeForce RTX 5070 vs GeForce RTX 3080 12GB: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce RTX 5070 vs GeForce RTX 3080 12GB
The GeForce RTX 5070 is significantly faster, around 24% ahead of the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB. That gap is enough to move it up a tier: the GeForce RTX 5070 is comfortable at 4K with upscaling and native 1440p, while the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB is better matched to 1440p.
Price & Value
Pricing has the GeForce RTX 5070 at $752 EUR, $695 EUR under the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB's $1,447 EUR. Because it's both faster and competitively priced, the GeForce RTX 5070 wins on performance-per-dollar by about 139%. The GeForce RTX 5070 still sits about $203 EUR above its $549 EUR MSRP. The GeForce RTX 3080 12GB still sits about $648 EUR above its $799 EUR MSRP.
Power & Efficiency
Power draw favors the GeForce RTX 5070 (250W vs 350W), and it's the more efficient card too, so it's the easy pick if thermals or a smaller PSU matter. Its more modern Blackwell architecture on a TSMC 4N process is part of why it does more with each watt.
Memory & Bandwidth
The GeForce RTX 3080 12GB's memory is faster — 912 GB/s versus 672 GB/s (384-bit vs 192-bit bus) — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.
Generation & Longevity
The GeForce RTX 5070 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 5070?
The GeForce RTX 5070 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 5070 better than the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB or the GeForce RTX 5070?
Is the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB worth the extra $695 EUR over the GeForce RTX 5070?
Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 3080 12GB or GeForce RTX 5070?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3080 12GB | GeForce RTX 5070 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Ampere | Blackwell |
| Process Node | Samsung 8nm | TSMC 4N |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 8,960✓ | 6,144 |
| Ray Tracing Cores | — | 48 |
| Tensor / AI Cores | — | 192 |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3080 12GB | GeForce RTX 5070 |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,440 MHz | 2,160 MHz✓ |
| Boost Clock | 1,710 MHz | 2,512 MHz✓ |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3080 12GB | GeForce RTX 5070 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 12 GB | 12 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6X | GDDR7 |
| Memory Bus | 384-bit✓ | 192-bit |
| Memory Speed | 19 Gbps | 28 Gbps✓ |
| Bandwidth | 912 GB/s✓ | 672 GB/s |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3080 12GB | GeForce RTX 5070 |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 4.0 x16 | PCIe 5.0 x16 |
| TDP | 350 W | 250 W✓ |
| Power Connectors | 2x 8-pin | 1x 16-pin |
| Released | Jan 2022 | Mar 2025 |
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