GeForce RTX 3080 vs GeForce RTX 4080
Performance-wise the GeForce RTX 4080 is out front, dramatically faster, roughly 57% up on the GeForce RTX 3080. It is also the stronger value pick here, so it's the easy recommendation if your budget allows.
Maximum Capacity Reached. Remove a model to add another. (2/2)
GeForce RTX 4080 vs GeForce RTX 3080: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce RTX 4080 vs GeForce RTX 3080
The GeForce RTX 4080 is dramatically faster, around 57% ahead of the GeForce RTX 3080. 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 is better matched to 1440p. The GeForce RTX 4080 packs 9,728 CUDA cores versus 8,704 on the GeForce RTX 3080.
Price & Value
Right now the GeForce RTX 3080 starts at $800 EUR against $1,000 EUR for the GeForce RTX 4080. Because it's both faster and competitively priced, the GeForce RTX 4080 wins on performance-per-dollar by about 26%. The GeForce RTX 3080 still sits about $101 EUR above its $699 EUR MSRP. The GeForce RTX 4080 is trading below its $1,199 EUR MSRP — a genuine deal.
VRAM & Future-Proofing
The GeForce RTX 4080's 16GB (vs 10GB on the GeForce RTX 3080) gives it more room for 4K textures and memory-hungry creative or AI workloads.
Generation & Longevity
The GeForce RTX 4080 is roughly 2 years newer than the GeForce RTX 3080 (Ada Lovelace vs Ampere), so it generally benefits from a more modern architecture and longer driver-support runway.
Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 3080 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 if you find it at a steep discount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GeForce RTX 4080 better than the GeForce RTX 3080?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce RTX 3080 or the GeForce RTX 4080?
Is the GeForce RTX 4080 worth the extra $200 EUR over the GeForce RTX 3080?
Does the GeForce RTX 4080 have enough VRAM advantage to matter?
Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 3080 or GeForce RTX 4080?
Video Benchmarks & Review
RTX 3080 vs RTX 4080 vs RTX 5080
Video Highlights
Curated gameplay footage and benchmarking review from MxBenchmarkPC on YouTube.
Editorial Review: What the Benchmarks Show
This generational comparison by MxBenchmarkPC pits the Ampere-based RTX 3080 (10GB) against the Ada Lovelace-based RTX 4080 (16GB). The RTX 4080 delivers a massive 30-40% rasterization leap, larger VRAM capacity, and support for DLSS 3 Frame Generation, providing a highly compelling upgrade path.
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3080 | GeForce RTX 4080 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Ampere | Ada Lovelace |
| Process Node | Samsung 8nm | TSMC 4N |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 8,704 | 9,728✓ |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 68 | 76✓ |
| Tensor / AI Cores | 272 | 304✓ |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3080 | GeForce RTX 4080 |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,440 MHz | 2,205 MHz✓ |
| Boost Clock | 1,710 MHz | 2,505 MHz✓ |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3080 | GeForce RTX 4080 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 10 GB | 16 GB✓ |
| Memory Type | GDDR6X | GDDR6X |
| Memory Bus | 320-bit✓ | 256-bit |
| Memory Speed | 19 Gbps | 22.4 Gbps✓ |
| Bandwidth | 760 GB/s✓ | 716.8 GB/s |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3080 | GeForce RTX 4080 |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 4.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x16 |
| TDP | 320 W | 320 W |
| Power Connectors | 1x 12-pin | 1x 16-pin |
| Released | Sep 2020 | Sep 2022 |
