GeForce RTX 3080 12GB vs GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER
Performance-wise the GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER is out front, noticeably faster, roughly 16% up on the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB. It is also the stronger value pick here, so it's the easy recommendation if your budget allows.
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GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER vs GeForce RTX 3080 12GB: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER vs GeForce RTX 3080 12GB
The GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER is noticeably faster, around 16% ahead of the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB. That gap is enough to move it up a tier: the GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER is comfortable at 4K with upscaling and native 1440p, while the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB is better matched to 1440p.
Price & Value
Right now the GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER starts at $3,000 AED against $5,008 AED for the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB. Because it's both faster and competitively priced, the GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER wins on performance-per-dollar by about 94%. The GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER still sits about $2,401 AED above its $599 AED MSRP. The GeForce RTX 3080 12GB still sits about $4,209 AED above its $799 AED MSRP.
Power & Efficiency
The GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER sips power at 220W next to the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB's 350W, and still leads on performance-per-watt — quieter, cooler, and gentler on your PSU. Its more modern Ada Lovelace architecture on a TSMC N4 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 504 GB/s (384-bit vs 192-bit bus) — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.
Generation & Longevity
The GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER is roughly 2 years newer than the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB (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 12GB or GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER?
The GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER 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 4070 SUPER better than the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB or the GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER?
Is the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB worth the extra $2,008 AED over the GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER?
Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 3080 12GB or GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3080 12GB | GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Ampere | Ada Lovelace |
| Process Node | Samsung 8nm | TSMC N4 |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 8,960✓ | 7,168 |
| Ray Tracing Cores | — | 56 |
| Tensor / AI Cores | — | 224 |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3080 12GB | GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,440 MHz | 1,980 MHz✓ |
| Boost Clock | 1,710 MHz | 2,475 MHz✓ |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3080 12GB | GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 12 GB | 12 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6X | GDDR6X |
| Memory Bus | 384-bit✓ | 192-bit |
| Memory Speed | 19 Gbps | 21 Gbps✓ |
| Bandwidth | 912 GB/s✓ | 504 GB/s |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3080 12GB | GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 4.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x16 |
| TDP | 350 W | 220 W✓ |
| Power Connectors | 2x 8-pin | 1x 16-pin |
| Released | Jan 2022 | Jan 2024 |
