G3D Mark is a standard benchmark that measures graphics performance in real-world gaming scenarios. It simplifies comparing cards from different brands, where higher scores directly correlate with better fps and smoother gaming experiences.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, raw graphics performance, VRAM, feature set, power efficiency, pricing context, and long-term value so you can see which GPU actually makes more sense.

GeForce RTX 2080

2018

Why buy it

✅5.6% more average FPS across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅228.6% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (368 vs 112).

Trade-offs

❌Less VRAM, with 8 GB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Weaker long-term outlook: GeForce RTX 3060 is the safer future-proof pick thanks to newer hardware and better gaming feature support.
❌
112.5% HIGHER MSRP
$699 MSRPvs$329 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 26.7 vs 51.7 G3D/$ ($699 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
❌26.5% higher power demand at 215W vs 170W.

GeForce RTX 3060

2021

Why buy it

✅Costs $370 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $699 MSRP).
✅Delivers 93.3% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 51.7 vs 26.7 G3D/$ ($329 MSRP vs $699 MSRP).
✅51.8% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 8 GB).
✅More future proof: Ampere on 8nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.
✅Draws 170W instead of 215W, a 45W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 2080 across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (112 vs 368), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.

GeForce RTX 2080

2018

GeForce RTX 3060

2021

Why buy it

✅5.6% more average FPS across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅228.6% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (368 vs 112).

Why buy it

✅Costs $370 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $699 MSRP).
✅Delivers 93.3% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 51.7 vs 26.7 G3D/$ ($329 MSRP vs $699 MSRP).
✅51.8% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 8 GB).
✅More future proof: Ampere on 8nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.
✅Draws 170W instead of 215W, a 45W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Less VRAM, with 8 GB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Weaker long-term outlook: GeForce RTX 3060 is the safer future-proof pick thanks to newer hardware and better gaming feature support.
❌
112.5% HIGHER MSRP
$699 MSRPvs$329 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 26.7 vs 51.7 G3D/$ ($699 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
❌26.5% higher power demand at 215W vs 170W.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 2080 across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (112 vs 368), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 2080 better than GeForce RTX 3060?

Yes, but this is not really about a huge raw performance gap. GeForce RTX 2080 averages 5.6% more FPS across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data. The broader synthetic picture is also very close at 18,676 vs 16,995 in G3D Mark. The bigger reason to prefer GeForce RTX 2080 is the overall package: you are getting DLSS Super Resolution.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

GeForce RTX 3060 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer 2021 generation instead of 2018, more VRAM at 12 GB instead of 8 GB, and a 8nm process instead of 12nm. That extra memory headroom makes it the safer pick for newer games, heavier textures, and higher settings over time.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper card?

GeForce RTX 2080 is still the better GPU overall, but GeForce RTX 3060 is probably the smarter buy today for most people. GeForce RTX 2080 is about 112.5% more expensive on MSRP at $699 MSRP versus $329 MSRP, and you are getting 5.6% more estimated average FPS across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data and 9.9% higher G3D Mark. GeForce RTX 3060 still holds the G3D-per-dollar lead, so the performance win comes with a real value premium. Paying about 112.5% more on MSRP for only 5.6% more estimated average FPS is just a weak value trade on paper.

When does GeForce RTX 3060 make more sense than GeForce RTX 2080?

Yes. GeForce RTX 3060 is still a very sensible gaming buy in 2026: it is very strong for 1080p, good for 1440p, and more limited at 4K. Around $329 MSRP, you are saving about $370 on MSRP and only giving up lower estimated average FPS across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data. GeForce RTX 3060 still holds the G3D-per-dollar lead, so the performance win comes with a real value premium.

Games Benchmarks

Real-world benchmarks and performance projections based on comprehensive hardware analysis and comparative metrics. Values represent expected performance on High/Ultra settings at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K. Modeled using a Ryzen 7 9800X3D reference profile to minimize specific CPU bottlenecks.

Note: Performance behavior can vary per game. Specific architectures may perform better or worse depending on game engine optimizations and API implementation.

GeForce RTX 2080 Benchmark Check

GeForce RTX 3060 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 2080	GeForce RTX 3060
1080p
low	159 FPS	149 FPS
medium	141 FPS	131 FPS
high	123 FPS	118 FPS
ultra	104 FPS	99 FPS
1440p
low	135 FPS	126 FPS
medium	109 FPS	104 FPS
high	96 FPS	92 FPS
ultra	86 FPS	80 FPS
4K
low	80 FPS	67 FPS
medium	68 FPS	58 FPS
high	54 FPS	39 FPS
ultra	47 FPS	32 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 2080 Open GeForce RTX 3060

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 2080	GeForce RTX 3060
1080p
low	413 FPS	354 FPS
medium	347 FPS	310 FPS
high	282 FPS	249 FPS
ultra	242 FPS	195 FPS
1440p
low	262 FPS	222 FPS
medium	221 FPS	196 FPS
high	192 FPS	160 FPS
ultra	161 FPS	128 FPS
4K
low	126 FPS	110 FPS
medium	108 FPS	94 FPS
high	91 FPS	77 FPS
ultra	72 FPS	60 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 2080 Open GeForce RTX 3060

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce RTX 2080	GeForce RTX 3060
1080p
low	783 FPS	765 FPS
medium	634 FPS	612 FPS
high	560 FPS	510 FPS
ultra	420 FPS	382 FPS
1440p
low	606 FPS	535 FPS
medium	492 FPS	432 FPS
high	420 FPS	366 FPS
ultra	315 FPS	287 FPS
4K
low	409 FPS	367 FPS
medium	331 FPS	298 FPS
high	277 FPS	221 FPS
ultra	210 FPS	176 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 2080 Open GeForce RTX 3060

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce RTX 2080	GeForce RTX 3060
1080p
low	529 FPS	523 FPS
medium	460 FPS	452 FPS
high	395 FPS	383 FPS
ultra	327 FPS	319 FPS
1440p
low	431 FPS	428 FPS
medium	376 FPS	371 FPS
high	307 FPS	298 FPS
ultra	253 FPS	245 FPS
4K
low	272 FPS	279 FPS
medium	257 FPS	259 FPS
high	224 FPS	225 FPS
ultra	185 FPS	186 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 2080 Open GeForce RTX 3060

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 2080 and GeForce RTX 3060

GeForce RTX 2080

The GeForce RTX 2080 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in September 20 2018. It features the Turing architecture. The core clock ranges from 1515 MHz to 1710 MHz. It has 2944 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 215W. Manufactured using 12 nm process technology. It features 46 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 18,676 points. Launch price was $699.

GeForce RTX 3060

The GeForce RTX 3060 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 12 2021. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1320 MHz to 1777 MHz. It has 3584 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 170W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 28 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 16,995 points. Launch price was $329.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 2080 scores 18,676 versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 16,995 — the GeForce RTX 2080 leads by 9.9%. The GeForce RTX 2080 is built on Turing while the GeForce RTX 3060 uses Ampere, both on 12 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 2,944 (GeForce RTX 2080) vs 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060). Raw compute: 10.07 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 2080) vs 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060). Boost clocks: 1710 MHz vs 1777 MHz. Ray tracing: 46 RT cores (GeForce RTX 2080) vs 28 (GeForce RTX 3060) with 368 Tensor cores vs 112.

Feature	GeForce RTX 2080	GeForce RTX 3060
G3D Mark Score	18,676+10%	16,995
Architecture	Turing	Ampere
Process Node	12 nm	8 nm
Shading Units	2944	3584+22%
Compute (TFLOPS)	10.07 TFLOPS	12.74 TFLOPS+27%
Boost Clock	1710 MHz	1777 MHz+4%
ROPs	64+33%	48
TMUs	184+64%	112
L1 Cache	2.9 MB	3.5 MB+21%
L2 Cache	4 MB+33%	3 MB
Ray Tracing Cores	46+64%	28
Tensor Cores	368+229%	112

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce RTX 2080	GeForce RTX 3060
Upscaling Tech	DLSS 2 Super Resolution	DLSS 2 Super Resolution
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	NVIDIA Reflex

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce RTX 2080 comes with 8 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3060 has 12 GB. The GeForce RTX 3060 offers 51.8% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 448 GB/s (GeForce RTX 2080) vs 360 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060) — a 24.4% advantage for the GeForce RTX 2080. Bus width: 256-bit vs 192-bit. L2 Cache: 4 MB (GeForce RTX 2080) vs 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060) — the GeForce RTX 2080 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 2080	GeForce RTX 3060
VRAM Capacity	7.906 GB	12 GB+52%
Memory Type	GDDR6	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	448 GB/s+24%	360 GB/s
Bus Width	256-bit+33%	192-bit
L2 Cache	4 MB+33%	3 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12.1 (GeForce RTX 2080) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060). Vulkan: 1.2 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce RTX 2080	GeForce RTX 3060
DirectX	12.1	12 Ultimate
Vulkan	1.2	1.3+8%
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: 6th Gen NVENC (GeForce RTX 2080) vs NVENC 7th Gen (GeForce RTX 3060). Decoder: 4th Gen NVDEC vs NVDEC 5th Gen. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC (GeForce RTX 2080) vs AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060).

Feature	GeForce RTX 2080	GeForce RTX 3060
Encoder	6th Gen NVENC	NVENC 7th Gen
Decoder	4th Gen NVDEC	NVDEC 5th Gen
Codecs	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC	AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 2080 draws 215W versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 170W — a 23.4% difference. The GeForce RTX 3060 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 650W (GeForce RTX 2080) vs 550W (GeForce RTX 3060). Power connectors: 6-pin + 8-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 267mm vs 242mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 80°C vs 75.

Feature	GeForce RTX 2080	GeForce RTX 3060
TDP	215W	170W-21%
Recommended PSU	650W	550W-15%
Power Connector	6-pin + 8-pin	8-pin
Length	267mm	242mm
Height	116mm	112mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	80°C	75-6%
Perf/Watt	86.9	100.0+15%

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 2080 launched at $699 MSRP, while the GeForce RTX 3060 launched at $329. The GeForce RTX 3060 costs 52.9% less ($370 savings) on MSRP. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 26.7 (GeForce RTX 2080) vs 51.7 (GeForce RTX 3060) — the GeForce RTX 3060 offers 93.6% better value. The GeForce RTX 3060 is the newer GPU (2021 vs 2018).