GPU Comparison

Select up to 2 GPUs to analyze their pricing, performance, and specifications side-by-side.

Quick Verdict

The GeForce RTX 3090 is noticeably faster than the GeForce RTX 3080, leading by roughly 11% in our performance index. The GeForce RTX 3080, however, delivers more performance per dollar — $1,070 EUR cheaper.

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VS
NVIDIA
GeForce RTX 3080
Price
€720
Performance
35%
VRAM
10 GB GDDR6X
Key Specs Advantage
+1% Boost Clock (1,710 MHz vs 1,695 MHz)
Price
€1,790
Performance
39%
VRAM
24 GB GDDR6X
Key Specs Advantage
+23% Bandwidth (936 GB/s vs 760 GB/s)
+21% CUDA Cores (10,496 vs 8,704)
+21% RT Cores (82 vs 68)

GeForce RTX 3090 vs GeForce RTX 3080: In-Depth Breakdown

Performance: GeForce RTX 3090 vs GeForce RTX 3080

The GeForce RTX 3090 is noticeably faster, around 11% ahead of the GeForce RTX 3080. Both cards sit in the same broad class, well suited to 1440p. The GeForce RTX 3090 packs 10,496 CUDA cores versus 8,704 on the GeForce RTX 3080. The GeForce RTX 3090 also has more RT cores (82 vs 68) and more AI cores (328 vs 272), strengthening its ray-tracing and AI-upscaling performance.

Price & Value

Right now the GeForce RTX 3080 starts at $720 EUR against $1,790 EUR for the GeForce RTX 3090. Despite being slower, the GeForce RTX 3080 offers the better performance-per-dollar (~123% better value), so budget-focused buyers should weigh it carefully. The GeForce RTX 3090 still sits about $291 EUR above its $1,499 EUR MSRP.

Power & Efficiency

The GeForce RTX 3080 pulls less power (320W vs 350W), so it's the easier card to cool and the lighter load on your PSU. The faster GeForce RTX 3090 draws more overall but extracts more performance from each watt — plan for a sturdier power supply if you pick it.

VRAM & Future-Proofing

With 24GB against 10GB, the GeForce RTX 3090 has more headroom for 4K textures and memory-hungry creative/AI tasks where the GeForce RTX 3080's 10GB can fall short. The GeForce RTX 3090's memory is also faster — 936 GB/s versus 760 GB/s (384-bit vs 320-bit bus) — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.

Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 3080 or GeForce RTX 3090?

Choose the GeForce RTX 3090 if you want the most performance and can absorb the higher price. If you're optimizing for value, the GeForce RTX 3080 stretches your money further for only slightly lower performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the GeForce RTX 3090 better than the GeForce RTX 3080?

The GeForce RTX 3090 is noticeably faster, roughly 11% ahead. The GeForce RTX 3080 is still worth it if value matters more than top-end frames.

Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce RTX 3080 or the GeForce RTX 3090?

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 3090 worth the extra $1,070 EUR over the GeForce RTX 3080?

Only if you need the extra performance or features; on pure value the GeForce RTX 3080 comes out ahead.

Does the GeForce RTX 3090 have enough VRAM advantage to matter?

Its 24GB (vs 10GB) gives real headroom for 4K, heavy texture mods, and creative/AI work. At 1080p the gap matters less.

Which is better for ray tracing, the GeForce RTX 3090 or the GeForce RTX 3080?

Both handle ray tracing, but the GeForce RTX 3090 has more RT cores, giving it better ray-tracing and AI-upscaling performance than the GeForce RTX 3080.

Technical Specifications Comparison

Architecture & Cores

SpecificationGeForce RTX 3080GeForce RTX 3090
ArchitectureAmpereAmpere
Process NodeSamsung 8nmSamsung 8nm
CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores)8,70410,496
Ray Tracing Cores6882
Tensor / AI Cores272328

Clock Speeds

SpecificationGeForce RTX 3080GeForce RTX 3090
Base Clock1,440 MHz1,395 MHz
Boost Clock1,710 MHz1,695 MHz

Memory

SpecificationGeForce RTX 3080GeForce RTX 3090
VRAM Capacity10 GB24 GB
Memory TypeGDDR6XGDDR6X
Memory Bus320-bit384-bit
Memory Speed19 Gbps19.5 Gbps
Bandwidth760 GB/s936 GB/s

Connectivity & Power

SpecificationGeForce RTX 3080GeForce RTX 3090
InterfacePCIe 4.0 x16PCIe 4.0 x16
TDP320 W350 W
Power Connectors1x 12-pin1x 12-pin
ReleasedSep 2020Sep 2020