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Which is better: the RTX 4070 Super vs RTX 3080, and which one should you get? With the Nvidia Super series being unveiled at CES 2024, the RTX 4070 Super is the first to be released and for the same price tag as its predecessor with more VRAM and CUDA cores. Here’s everything you need to know from specs to performance and which RTX model is best for you. And with the RTX 4070 Super being the first to hit shelves (released today, January 17, 2024) here’s where to buy the RTX 4070 Super in the US and the UK.
RTX 4070 Super Vs RTX 3080: Price comparison
The RTX 4070 Super is definitely more budget friendly if you’re looking for a new GPU, with a starting price of $599; however the RTX 3080 is not massively more at just $699. This could mean that if the RTX 3080 is better suited to your needs then it may be worth the extra $100. The RTX 3080 is not the cheapest in the RTX 30 series, with the 3050, 3060, and 3060 Ti with an MSRP under $400, which is worth noting if you’re on a very strict budget.
RTX 4070 Super Vs RTX 3080: Release date comparison
The RTX 3080 was released in September 2020 but is still a good GPU for high-resolution gaming, without the steep price tag of the RTX 3090 ($1199.99), despite being nearly 4 years old. The RTX 4070 Super is one of three new RTX Super GPUs announced by Nvidia at CES 2024, with the 4070 super being the first to be released on January 17 2024.
RTX 4070 Super Vs RTX 3080: Specs comparison
Being the older of the two, the RTX 3080 is fitted with Ampere architecture which was focused on utilizing the GPU and prioritizes being able to handle multiple tasks and workloads. That being said, the RTX 40 series and the RTX 40 Super series feature the newer, more updated Ada Lovelace architecture which has basically replaced the Ampere architecture of older series. Equipped with newer generation Tensor Cores and RT cores, coupled with higher clock speeds and less power consumption, Ada Lovelace architecture centers more on power efficiency and provides a higher level of baseline GPU performance according to Nvidia.
Stacked against each other, the RTX 3080 comes out on top with a higher bandwidth (760.3 GB/s) than the RTX 4070 Super (504.2 GB/s) but otherwise the specs seemingly have an obvious winner. With a smaller processor size, the RTX 4070 Super features a 5nm processor compared to the RTX 3080 (8nm); additionally, the RTX 4070 Super boasts slightly larger memory (12GB VRAM vs the 3080’s 10GB) and an impressively low power consumption of 220 W compared to the RTX 3080 which uses 320 W. Less power consumption means a maintained higher and consistent clock speed and performance, whereas more power consumption equates to a higher risk of thermal throttling.
The RTX 4070 Super is armed with both a higher Base Clock and Boost Clock (1980MHz and 2475MHz respectively) when compared to the RTX 3080 which scores substantially lower, with a Base Clock of 1440MHz and Boost Clock of 1710MHz. Additionally, both the 4070 Super and the 3080 feature similar L1 and L2 cache sizes, with the RTX 3080 coming in with 8,704 Shading Units, which is marginally better than the RTX 4070 Super’s 7,168.
RTX 4070 Super Vs RTX 3080: Performance comparison
In terms of performance, the RTX 4070 Super delivers impressive performance for gaming and creative workloads, with its faster Clock speeds and greater amount of transistors, rendering times are quicker and smoother, and when compared during gameplay it appears the RTX 4070 Super thrives in high-quality graphics where the RTX 3080 does not. However, the RTX 3080 is better built for memory-intensive work with its higher bandwidth and quicker data access.
When compared during 4K gameplay of Battlefield V by Benchmark PC Tech, there is only a small margin of difference between the RTX 4070 Super’s 121 fps and the RTX 3080’s 119fps. That being said, more substantial differences became apparent when running Far Cry 6 at 1080p when the 4070 Super reached 126 fps while the 3080 only got to 100 fps.Â
Should you buy the RTX 4070 Super or the RTX 3080
Overall, the RTX 4070 Super is comparatively cheaper and more power efficient, with its low power consumption meaning less risk of overheating and more longevity as a powerful GPU. Equally, it consistently scored better when pitted against the RTX 3080 in various games of 1440p to 4k, with higher fps across the board. If you are looking for a GPU that has a higher bandwidth and memory capacity, with less focus on higher quality graphics, then the RTX 3080 may prove better for your intended use, while those interested in heightening their gaming experience with great graphics and lower power consumption for a small price, the RTX 4070 Super is a clear winner.Â
ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 4070 SUPERÂ
CUDA cores
7168
VRAM
12GB GDDR6X
Memory bus width
192-bit
Price
$599
ZOTAC GAMING RTX 4070 SUPER Twin Edge
VRAM
12GB GDDR6X
CUDA cores
7,168
Memory bus width
192-bit
Price
$599
How much will the RTX 4070 Super cost?
It is set to be available to buy from January 17 onwards with a price tag of $599.
Is the RTX 3080 still worth buying?
If you are looking for higher quality graphics without a steep price tag, the RTX 3080 remains a good choice for only $699. It has a high memory bandwidth and is best suited for memory intensive or rapid data-access workloads. The RTX 4070 Super is also a cheaper GPU more geared towards high quality performance and graphics.
