GeForce RTX 3080 12GB vs GeForce RTX 4080
On raw speed the GeForce RTX 4080 comes out ahead: far and away the quicker card, about 49% ahead of the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB. That said, the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB is the smarter buy on value — $832 GBP less for the performance on offer.
Maximum Capacity Reached. Remove a model to add another. (2/2)
GeForce RTX 4080 vs GeForce RTX 3080 12GB: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce RTX 4080 vs GeForce RTX 3080 12GB
The GeForce RTX 4080 is dramatically faster, around 49% ahead of the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB. 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 12GB is better matched to 1440p. The GeForce RTX 4080 packs 9,728 CUDA cores versus 8,960 on the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB.
Price & Value
The GeForce RTX 3080 12GB currently lists from $1,070 GBP, $832 GBP less than the GeForce RTX 4080 at $1,902 GBP. Despite being slower, the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB offers the better performance-per-dollar (~20% better value), so budget-focused buyers should weigh it carefully. The GeForce RTX 3080 12GB still sits about $271 GBP above its $799 GBP MSRP. The GeForce RTX 4080 still sits about $703 GBP above its $1,199 GBP MSRP.
Power & Efficiency
At 320W against 350W, the GeForce RTX 4080 is both the lower-power and the more efficient card, making it the easier build to cool and power.
VRAM & Future-Proofing
VRAM favors the GeForce RTX 4080 at 16GB versus 12GB on the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB — that extra 4GB matters most at 4K, with high-res texture packs, and for content-creation/local-AI work. The GeForce RTX 3080 12GB's memory is also faster — 912 GB/s versus 717 GB/s (384-bit vs 256-bit bus) — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.
Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 3080 12GB or GeForce RTX 4080?
Choose the GeForce RTX 4080 if you want the most performance and can absorb the higher price. If you're optimizing for value, the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB stretches your money further for only slightly lower performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GeForce RTX 4080 better than the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB or the GeForce RTX 4080?
Is the GeForce RTX 4080 worth the extra $832 GBP over the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB?
Does the GeForce RTX 4080 have enough VRAM advantage to matter?
Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 3080 12GB or GeForce RTX 4080?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3080 12GB | GeForce RTX 4080 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Ampere | Ada Lovelace |
| Process Node | Samsung 8nm | TSMC 4N |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 8,960 | 9,728✓ |
| Ray Tracing Cores | — | 76 |
| Tensor / AI Cores | — | 304 |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3080 12GB | GeForce RTX 4080 |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,440 MHz | 2,205 MHz✓ |
| Boost Clock | 1,710 MHz | 2,505 MHz✓ |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3080 12GB | GeForce RTX 4080 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 12 GB | 16 GB✓ |
| Memory Type | GDDR6X | GDDR6X |
| Memory Bus | 384-bit✓ | 256-bit |
| Memory Speed | 19 Gbps | 22.4 Gbps✓ |
| Bandwidth | 912 GB/s✓ | 716.8 GB/s |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3080 12GB | GeForce RTX 4080 |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 4.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x16 |
| TDP | 350 W | 320 W✓ |
| Power Connectors | 2x 8-pin | 1x 16-pin |
| Released | Jan 2022 | Sep 2022 |
