Skip to content

GeForce RTX 3080 12GB vs Radeon RX 6700 XT

Quick Verdict

On raw speed the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB comes out ahead: far and away the quicker card, about 54% ahead of the Radeon RX 6700 XT. That said, the Radeon RX 6700 XT is the smarter buy on value — $786 EUR less for the performance on offer.

Maximum Capacity Reached. Remove a model to add another. (2/2)

VS
NVIDIA GeForce
RTX 3080 12GB
Price
€1,447
Performance
37/100
VRAM
12 GB GDDR6X
Key Specs Advantage
+250% CUDA Cores (8,960 vs 2,560)
+138% Bandwidth (912 GB/s vs 384 GB/s)
+100% Memory Bus (384-bit vs 192-bit)
AMD Radeon
RX 6700 XT
Price
€661
Performance
24/100
VRAM
12 GB GDDR6
Key Specs Advantage
+51% Boost Clock (2,581 MHz vs 1,710 MHz)

GeForce RTX 3080 12GB vs Radeon RX 6700 XT: In-Depth Breakdown

Performance: GeForce RTX 3080 12GB vs Radeon RX 6700 XT

The GeForce RTX 3080 12GB is dramatically faster, around 54% ahead of the Radeon RX 6700 XT. That gap is enough to move it up a tier: the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB is comfortable at 1440p, while the Radeon RX 6700 XT is better matched to 1080p.

Price & Value

The Radeon RX 6700 XT currently lists from $661 EUR, $786 EUR less than the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB at $1,447 EUR. Despite being slower, the Radeon RX 6700 XT offers the better performance-per-dollar (~42% better value), so budget-focused buyers should weigh it carefully. The Radeon RX 6700 XT still sits about $182 EUR above its $479 EUR MSRP. The GeForce RTX 3080 12GB still sits about $648 EUR above its $799 EUR MSRP.

Power & Efficiency

On power, the Radeon RX 6700 XT is the gentler choice at 230W versus 350W. The GeForce RTX 3080 12GB is more efficient per watt because it's faster, but its higher 350W draw means more heat and a bigger PSU. Its more modern Ampere architecture on a Samsung 8nm process is part of why it does more with each watt.

Features & Ecosystem

Beyond raw numbers, the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB brings NVIDIA DLSS upscaling/frame generation and stronger ray tracing, while the Radeon RX 6700 XT offers AMD FSR upscaling and strong rasterization value. If you lean on upscaling or ray tracing, that ecosystem difference can matter as much as the frame-rate gap.

Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 3080 12GB or Radeon RX 6700 XT?

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 Radeon RX 6700 XT stretches your money further for only slightly lower performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB better than the Radeon RX 6700 XT?

The GeForce RTX 3080 12GB is dramatically faster, roughly 54% ahead. The Radeon RX 6700 XT is still worth it if value matters more than top-end frames.

Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB or the Radeon RX 6700 XT?

Neither is a dedicated 4K card; both are best at 1440p. For 4K you'd want a faster GPU, or lean on upscaling.

Is the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB worth the extra $786 EUR over the Radeon RX 6700 XT?

Only if you need the extra performance or features; on pure value the Radeon RX 6700 XT comes out ahead.

Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 3080 12GB or Radeon RX 6700 XT?

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 Radeon RX 6700 XT stretches your money further for only slightly lower performance.

Technical Specifications Comparison

Architecture & Cores

Architecture & Cores specifications comparison between GeForce RTX 3080 12GB and Radeon RX 6700 XT
SpecificationGeForce RTX 3080 12GBRadeon RX 6700 XT
ArchitectureAmpereRDNA 2
Process NodeSamsung 8nmTSMC N7
CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / Stream Processors)8,9602,560
Ray Tracing Cores40

Clock Speeds

Clock Speeds specifications comparison between GeForce RTX 3080 12GB and Radeon RX 6700 XT
SpecificationGeForce RTX 3080 12GBRadeon RX 6700 XT
Base Clock1,440 MHz2,321 MHz
Boost Clock1,710 MHz2,581 MHz

Memory

Memory specifications comparison between GeForce RTX 3080 12GB and Radeon RX 6700 XT
SpecificationGeForce RTX 3080 12GBRadeon RX 6700 XT
VRAM Capacity12 GB12 GB
Memory TypeGDDR6XGDDR6
Memory Bus384-bit192-bit
Memory Speed19 Gbps16 Gbps
Bandwidth912 GB/s384 GB/s

Connectivity & Power

Connectivity & Power specifications comparison between GeForce RTX 3080 12GB and Radeon RX 6700 XT
SpecificationGeForce RTX 3080 12GBRadeon RX 6700 XT
InterfacePCIe 4.0 x16PCIe 4.0 x16
TDP350 W230 W
Power Connectors2x 8-pin1x 6-pin + 1x 8-pin
ReleasedJan 2022Mar 2021