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 3080 12GB

2022

Why buy it

✅Costs $249 less on MSRP ($1,250 MSRP vs $1,499 MSRP).
✅Delivers 19.8% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 21.3 vs 17.7 G3D/$ ($1,250 MSRP vs $1,499 MSRP).
✅More future proof: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3090 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 12 GB vs 24 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (280 vs 328), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.

GeForce RTX 3090

2020

Why buy it

✅24.1% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅17.1% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (328 vs 280).
✅100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (24 GB vs 12 GB).

Trade-offs

❌Weaker long-term outlook: GeForce RTX 3080 12GB is the safer future-proof pick thanks to newer hardware and better gaming feature support.
❌
19.9% HIGHER MSRP
$1,499 MSRPvs$1,250 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 17.7 vs 21.3 G3D/$ ($1,499 MSRP vs $1,250 MSRP).

GeForce RTX 3080 12GB

2022

GeForce RTX 3090

2020

Why buy it

✅Costs $249 less on MSRP ($1,250 MSRP vs $1,499 MSRP).
✅Delivers 19.8% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 21.3 vs 17.7 G3D/$ ($1,250 MSRP vs $1,499 MSRP).
✅More future proof: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Why buy it

✅24.1% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅17.1% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (328 vs 280).
✅100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (24 GB vs 12 GB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3090 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 12 GB vs 24 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (280 vs 328), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.

Trade-offs

❌Weaker long-term outlook: GeForce RTX 3080 12GB is the safer future-proof pick thanks to newer hardware and better gaming feature support.
❌
19.9% HIGHER MSRP
$1,499 MSRPvs$1,250 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 17.7 vs 21.3 G3D/$ ($1,499 MSRP vs $1,250 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 3090 better than GeForce RTX 3080 12GB?

Yes. GeForce RTX 3090 is the better GPU overall here. You are getting 24.1% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data, 0.1% higher PassMark G3D performance, 328 vs 280 Tensor cores, and 24 GB vs 12 GB of VRAM. It also comes from 2020 instead of 2022, which helps its case as the more complete modern gaming card.

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

GeForce RTX 3080 12GB is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer 2022 generation instead of 2020. That makes it the safer long-run choice for modern games.

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

GeForce RTX 3080 12GB is easier to justify on price alone at $1,250 MSRP, but GeForce RTX 3090 is still the stronger gaming card overall. GeForce RTX 3090 is about 19.9% more expensive on MSRP at $1,499 MSRP versus $1,250 MSRP, and you are getting 24.1% more estimated average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and 0.1% higher G3D Mark. GeForce RTX 3080 12GB still holds the G3D-per-dollar lead, so the performance win comes with a real value premium. Go with GeForce RTX 3090 if you want the better experience; go with GeForce RTX 3080 12GB if keeping cost down matters more than squeezing out the highest performance.

When does GeForce RTX 3080 12GB make more sense than GeForce RTX 3090?

Yes. GeForce RTX 3080 12GB is still an excellent gaming GPU in 2026: it is excellent for 1080p, very strong for 1440p, and still capable at 4K with sensible settings or upscaling. It makes more sense if your priority is newer architecture, future-proofing, and staying closer to $1,250 MSRP more than squeezing out the extra headroom of GeForce RTX 3090. The trade-off is that GeForce RTX 3090 currently gives you 0.1% higher G3D Mark and 24.1% more estimated average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data. GeForce RTX 3080 12GB 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 3080 12GB Benchmark Check

GeForce RTX 3090 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3080 12GB	GeForce RTX 3090
1080p
low	165 FPS	259 FPS
medium	150 FPS	240 FPS
high	132 FPS	201 FPS
ultra	113 FPS	176 FPS
1440p
low	139 FPS	249 FPS
medium	115 FPS	208 FPS
high	98 FPS	162 FPS
ultra	85 FPS	145 FPS
4K
low	80 FPS	167 FPS
medium	67 FPS	138 FPS
high	51 FPS	98 FPS
ultra	45 FPS	87 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3080 12GB Open GeForce RTX 3090

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3080 12GB	GeForce RTX 3090
1080p
low	553 FPS	648 FPS
medium	473 FPS	557 FPS
high	383 FPS	440 FPS
ultra	345 FPS	382 FPS
1440p
low	415 FPS	475 FPS
medium	344 FPS	405 FPS
high	273 FPS	319 FPS
ultra	233 FPS	263 FPS
4K
low	198 FPS	229 FPS
medium	168 FPS	193 FPS
high	144 FPS	161 FPS
ultra	120 FPS	134 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3080 12GB Open GeForce RTX 3090

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce RTX 3080 12GB	GeForce RTX 3090
1080p
low	892 FPS	909 FPS
medium	724 FPS	745 FPS
high	631 FPS	664 FPS
ultra	551 FPS	574 FPS
1440p
low	705 FPS	711 FPS
medium	567 FPS	583 FPS
high	484 FPS	508 FPS
ultra	416 FPS	434 FPS
4K
low	485 FPS	489 FPS
medium	394 FPS	406 FPS
high	331 FPS	349 FPS
ultra	275 FPS	289 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3080 12GB Open GeForce RTX 3090

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce RTX 3080 12GB	GeForce RTX 3090
1080p
low	456 FPS	821 FPS
medium	413 FPS	765 FPS
high	339 FPS	675 FPS
ultra	295 FPS	598 FPS
1440p
low	366 FPS	656 FPS
medium	334 FPS	609 FPS
high	273 FPS	534 FPS
ultra	233 FPS	449 FPS
4K
low	245 FPS	475 FPS
medium	226 FPS	443 FPS
high	191 FPS	397 FPS
ultra	166 FPS	299 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3080 12GB Open GeForce RTX 3090

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3080 12GB and GeForce RTX 3090

GeForce RTX 3080 12GB

The GeForce RTX 3080 12GB is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 11 2022. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1260 MHz to 1710 MHz. It has 8960 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 350W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 70 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 26,569 points. Launch price was $799.

GeForce RTX 3090

The GeForce RTX 3090 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in September 1 2020. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1395 MHz to 1695 MHz. It has 10496 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 350W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 82 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 26,594 points. Launch price was $1,499.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The GeForce RTX 3080 12GB scores 26,569 and the GeForce RTX 3090 reaches 26,594 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.1% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce RTX 3080 12GB is built on Ampere while the GeForce RTX 3090 uses Ampere, both on a 8 nm process. Shader units: 8,960 (GeForce RTX 3080 12GB) vs 10,496 (GeForce RTX 3090). Raw compute: 30.64 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3080 12GB) vs 35.58 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3090). Boost clocks: 1710 MHz vs 1695 MHz. Ray tracing: 70 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3080 12GB) vs 82 (GeForce RTX 3090) with 280 Tensor cores vs 328.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3080 12GB	GeForce RTX 3090
G3D Mark Score	26,569	26,594
Architecture	Ampere	Ampere
Process Node	8 nm	8 nm
Shading Units	8960	10496+17%
Compute (TFLOPS)	30.64 TFLOPS	35.58 TFLOPS+16%
Boost Clock	1710 MHz	1695 MHz
ROPs	96	112+17%
TMUs	280	328+17%
L1 Cache	8.8 MB	10.3 MB+17%
L2 Cache	6 MB	6 MB
Ray Tracing Cores	70	82+17%
Tensor Cores	280	328+17%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce RTX 3080 12GB	GeForce RTX 3090
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 3080 12GB comes with 12 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3090 has 24 GB. The GeForce RTX 3090 offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 912 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3080 12GB) vs 936 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3090) — a 2.6% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3090. Bus width: 384-bit vs 384-bit.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3080 12GB	GeForce RTX 3090
VRAM Capacity	12 GB	24 GB+100%
Memory Type	GDDR6X	GDDR6X
Memory Bandwidth	912 GB/s	936 GB/s+3%
Bus Width	384-bit	384-bit
L2 Cache	6 MB	6 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3080 12GB) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3090). Vulkan: 1.4 vs 1.4. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3080 12GB	GeForce RTX 3090
DirectX	12 Ultimate	12 Ultimate
Vulkan	1.4	1.4
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3080 12GB) vs NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3090). Decoder: NVDEC 5th gen vs NVDEC 5th gen. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 (GeForce RTX 3080 12GB) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 (GeForce RTX 3090).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3080 12GB	GeForce RTX 3090
Encoder	NVENC 7th gen	NVENC 7th gen
Decoder	NVDEC 5th gen	NVDEC 5th gen
Codecs	H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1	H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3080 12GB draws 350W versus the GeForce RTX 3090's 350W — a 0% difference. The GeForce RTX 3090 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 750W (GeForce RTX 3080 12GB) vs 750W (GeForce RTX 3090). Power connectors: 2x 8-pin vs 2x 8-pin. Card length: 285mm vs 312mm, occupying 2 vs 3 slots. Typical load temperature: 80°C vs 85°C.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3080 12GB	GeForce RTX 3090
TDP	350W	350W
Recommended PSU	750W	750W
Power Connector	2x 8-pin	2x 8-pin
Length	285mm	312mm
Height	112mm	140mm
Slots	2-33%	3
Temp (Load)	80°C-6%	85°C
Perf/Watt	75.9	76.0

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 3080 12GB launched at $1250 MSRP, while the GeForce RTX 3090 launched at $1499. The GeForce RTX 3080 12GB costs 16.6% less ($249 savings) on MSRP. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 21.3 (GeForce RTX 3080 12GB) vs 17.7 (GeForce RTX 3090) — the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB offers 20.3% better value. The GeForce RTX 3080 12GB is the newer GPU (2022 vs 2020).