We’re going to dive right in with Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 vs RTX 3080, considering the key differences like price and performance.
Nvidia released the 4080 in November 2022, and has not had an easy ride. The 12GB 4080 suffered an ‘unlaunch’ ahead of its release and has generally been met with complaints about its price and value for money. Though it struggles to beat AMD’s RX 7900 XT in value, it’s shaped up as a powerful graphics card worthy of our attention.
And what about the RTX 3080? A brilliant graphics card to pair with AMD’s mighty Ryzen 7 5800 X3D, the RTX 3080 has endured in popularity since its 2020 release. It costs slightly less and still capable of running 4K, the 3080 is a tried and tested graphics card that continues to be relevant into 2023.
You may be weighing up which GPU to go for, and how it matches what your main uses will be. Whether you’re interested in competitive gaming, Photoshop or video editing, both the 4080 and 3080 are worthy choices.
With these uses in mind, we’re going to make things a little easier for you. We’ll be comparing the specs, performance, and overall value for money so you can make an informed choice.
So, let’s jump to it! Here are the differences and similarities between RTX 4080 and 3080.
RTX 4080 vs RTX 3080 – specs comparison
If it’s between the RTX 4080 and 3080, you’re likely to assume that the newer GPU will be the best performing between the two, which is likely true.
The RTX 4080 champions 9728 CUDA cores against the 8704 – 8960 of the RTX 3080. The 2.21 – 2.51 GHz clock speed of the Lovelace GPU also trumps the 1.26 – 1.71 GHz of the Ampere graphics card. A higher clock speeds indicates the GPU’s processor can execute more instructions per second, leading to a faster performance.
Read More: Best CPU for RTX 4080
The 4080 also boasts 16GB GDDR6X memory that towers over the 12GB inside the RTX 3080. This makes the 4080 the better option if you want to prioritize high-resolution frames and more detailed textures.
Aside from those notable specs, below is a list highlighting the most relevant specifications of both GeForce cards.
| Specs | RTX 4080 | RTX 3080 (12GB) | RTX 3080 (10GB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| CUDA Cores | 9728 | 8960 | 8704 |
| Clock speed (base – boost) | 2.21 – 2.51 | 1.26 – 1.71 | 1.44 – 1.71 |
| VRAM (GB, GDDR6X) | 16GB | 12GB | 10GB |
| Architecture | Lovelace | Ampere | Ampere |
| Memory Interface | 256-bit | 384-bit | 320-bit |
| Ray Tracing cores | 3rd Gen | 2nd Gen | 2nd Gen |
| Tensor cores | 4th Gen | 3rd Gen | 3rd Gen |
| Maximum resolution | 7260 x 4320 | 7260 x 4320 | 7260 x 4320 |
| Connectivity | HDMI 2.1, 3 x DisplayPort | HDMI, 3 x DisplayPort | HDMI 2,1, 3 x DisplayPort |
| Required system power (W) | 320 | 350 | 320 |
| Graphics card power (W) | 750 | 750 | 750 |
Between the 4080 and the two variations of the 3080, it’s clear that the RTX 4080 has the upper hand. If you’d like a detailed review of performance, our friends over at WePC have tested how well the 4080 can run 4K.
Aside from specs, the RTX 4080 is more likely to need additional hardware to support its performance. You can check out our guide to the best PC cases for your 4080 since it’s a chunky bit of gear.
RTX 4080 vs 3080 – size
Like its sibling, the RTX 4090, the 4080’s Founder’s Edition is 12.3 x 5.35 x 2.12 inches. It’s pretty large, roughly the size of an entire Xbox Series S.
Read More: Best GPU for Hogwarts Legacy – our top picks
This is substantially larger than the 3080, so if clearance is already an issue in your PC, the latter might be the more convenient option. Measuring only 11.2 inches long. It’s actually one of the smaller GPUs on the market, making it the preferred choice if your PC case is looking a little full.
RTX 4080 vs 3080 – gaming
For gaming, the RTX 4080 predictably boasts a higher gaming performance, but by how much?
In gaming benchmarks, the 4080 leads the 3080 by 37-52% higher FPS, ranging between 1080p and 4K. If you’re wanting to reach that top-tier performance, then the 4080 is the card to go for.
Read More: Best PC case for RTX 3080
However, just because the 3080 is a little older doesn’t make it futile. The 3080 is a very capable card, whether that’s for VR gaming, or playing games like Hogwarts Legacy.
RTX 4080 vs 3080 – power consumption
Power consumption is an important factor to consider as it will determine whether you need to upgrade your PSU. It’s also an important factor if you’re worried about running costs.
Read More: Best PSU for RTX 4080 – do you need a new power supply for 4080?
The RTX 4080 is more power efficient than the 3080, sharing the same recommended PSU amount of 750W. This is a massive win for the 4080, especially during a time when energy costs are so high. Alongside additional enhancements like DLSS and ray tracing, the RTX 4080 really starts to shine.
RTX 4080 vs 3080 – price
Despite belonging to different generations, there’s no longer a huge price difference between the two graphics cards.
You’ll still be spending over a grand regardless of the graphics card you pick.
We’ve seen RTX 4080s retailing for around $1,200, while the RTX 3080 Founders Edition is selling for as little as $1000.
Price Check: RTX 3080
Frequently asked questions
How much better is 4080 than 3080?
For gaming, the 4080 leads the way by 37-52% higher FPS, ranging between 1080p-4K. It also no longer sells for an inflated price, making it a much better value graphics card.
Is the 3080 still worth it?
Despite being over two years old, the RTX 3080 remains a powerful and capable graphics card in 2023.
