GeForce RTX 3080 12GB vs GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB
On raw speed the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB comes out ahead: well ahead on speed, about 19% ahead of the GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB. That said, the GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB is the smarter buy on value — $506 GBP less for the performance on offer.
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GeForce RTX 3080 12GB vs GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce RTX 3080 12GB vs GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB
The GeForce RTX 3080 12GB is significantly faster, around 19% ahead of the GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB. Both cards sit in the same broad class, well suited to 1440p. The GeForce RTX 3080 12GB packs 8,960 CUDA cores versus 4,608 on the GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB.
Price & Value
The GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB currently lists from $565 GBP, $506 GBP less than the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB at $1,070 GBP. Despite being slower, the GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB offers the better performance-per-dollar (~59% better value), so budget-focused buyers should weigh it carefully. The GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB still sits about $136 GBP above its $429 GBP MSRP. The GeForce RTX 3080 12GB still sits about $271 GBP above its $799 GBP MSRP.
Power & Efficiency
At 180W against 350W, the GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB is both the lower-power and the more efficient card, making it the easier build to cool and power. Its more modern Blackwell architecture on a TSMC 4N process is part of why it does more with each watt.
VRAM & Future-Proofing
VRAM favors the GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB 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 448 GB/s (384-bit vs 128-bit bus) — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.
Generation & Longevity
The GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB is roughly 3 years newer than the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB (Blackwell 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 5060 Ti 16GB?
Choose the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB if you want the most performance and can absorb the higher price. If you're optimizing for value, the GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB stretches your money further for only slightly lower performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB better than the GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB or the GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB?
Is the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB worth the extra $506 GBP over the GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB?
Does the GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB have enough VRAM advantage to matter?
Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 3080 12GB or GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3080 12GB | GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Ampere | Blackwell |
| Process Node | Samsung 8nm | TSMC 4N |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 8,960✓ | 4,608 |
| Ray Tracing Cores | — | 36 |
| Tensor / AI Cores | — | 144 |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3080 12GB | GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,440 MHz | 2,407 MHz✓ |
| Boost Clock | 1,710 MHz | 2,572 MHz✓ |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3080 12GB | GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 12 GB | 16 GB✓ |
| Memory Type | GDDR6X | GDDR7 |
| Memory Bus | 384-bit✓ | 128-bit |
| Memory Speed | 19 Gbps | 28 Gbps✓ |
| Bandwidth | 912 GB/s✓ | 448 GB/s |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3080 12GB | GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 4.0 x16 | PCIe 5.0 x16 |
| TDP | 350 W | 180 W✓ |
| Power Connectors | 2x 8-pin | 1x 16-pin |
| Released | Jan 2022 | Apr 2025 |
