GeForce RTX 2060 12GB vs GeForce RTX 2080
Performance-wise the GeForce RTX 2080 is out front, significantly faster, roughly 36% up on the GeForce RTX 2060 12GB. It is also the stronger value pick here, so it's the easy recommendation if your budget allows.
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Comparable or lower specs
GeForce RTX 2080 vs GeForce RTX 2060 12GB: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce RTX 2080 vs GeForce RTX 2060 12GB
The GeForce RTX 2080 is significantly faster, around 36% ahead of the GeForce RTX 2060 12GB. Both cards sit in the same broad class, well suited to 1080p. The GeForce RTX 2080 packs 2,944 CUDA cores versus 2,176 on the GeForce RTX 2060 12GB.
Price & Value
Right now the GeForce RTX 2080 starts at $265 GBP against $287 GBP for the GeForce RTX 2060 12GB. Because it's both faster and competitively priced, the GeForce RTX 2080 wins on performance-per-dollar by about 47%. The GeForce RTX 2080 is trading below its $699 GBP MSRP — a genuine deal.
Power & Efficiency
The GeForce RTX 2060 12GB is the lighter draw at 184W against the GeForce RTX 2080's 225W, making it the easier card to power and cool. The GeForce RTX 2080 draws more in absolute terms but squeezes out more performance per watt, so budget for a beefier PSU if you go that route.
VRAM & Future-Proofing
The GeForce RTX 2060 12GB's 12GB (vs 8GB on the GeForce RTX 2080) gives it more room for 4K textures and memory-hungry creative or AI workloads. The GeForce RTX 2080's memory is also faster — 448 GB/s versus 336 GB/s (256-bit vs 192-bit bus) — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.
Generation & Longevity
The GeForce RTX 2060 12GB is roughly 3 years newer than the GeForce RTX 2080, so it generally benefits from a more modern architecture and longer driver-support runway.
Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 2060 12GB or GeForce RTX 2080?
The GeForce RTX 2080 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 2060 12GB if you find it at a steep discount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GeForce RTX 2080 better than the GeForce RTX 2060 12GB?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce RTX 2060 12GB or the GeForce RTX 2080?
Is the GeForce RTX 2060 12GB worth the extra $22 GBP over the GeForce RTX 2080?
Does the GeForce RTX 2060 12GB have enough VRAM advantage to matter?
Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 2060 12GB or GeForce RTX 2080?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce RTX 2060 12GB | GeForce RTX 2080 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Turing | Turing |
| Process Node | TSMC 12nm | TSMC 12nm |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 2,176 | 2,944✓ |
| Ray Tracing Cores | — | 46 |
| Tensor / AI Cores | — | 368 |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | GeForce RTX 2060 12GB | GeForce RTX 2080 |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,470 MHz | 1,515 MHz✓ |
| Boost Clock | 1,650 MHz | 1,710 MHz✓ |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce RTX 2060 12GB | GeForce RTX 2080 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 12 GB✓ | 8 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bus | 192-bit | 256-bit✓ |
| Memory Speed | 14 Gbps | 14 Gbps |
| Bandwidth | 336 GB/s | 448 GB/s✓ |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | GeForce RTX 2060 12GB | GeForce RTX 2080 |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 3.0 x16 | PCIe 3.0 x16 |
| TDP | 184 W✓ | 225 W |
| Power Connectors | 1x 8-pin | 1x 6-pin + 1x 8-pin |
| Released | Dec 2021 | Sep 2018 |