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 GTX 1080

2016

Why buy it

✅16.2% more average FPS across 48 tracked games in our benchmark data.

Trade-offs

❌No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
❌Poor future-proofing: 2016-era hardware with 8 GB of VRAM is already a legacy-tier option for modern games.
❌
140.6% HIGHER MSRP
$599 MSRPvs$249 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 26.1 vs 47.8 G3D/$ ($599 MSRP vs $249 MSRP).
❌38.5% higher power demand at 180W vs 130W.

GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

2022

Why buy it

✅Costs $350 less on MSRP ($249 MSRP vs $599 MSRP).
✅Delivers 83.3% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 47.8 vs 26.1 G3D/$ ($249 MSRP vs $599 MSRP).
✅Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
✅More future proof: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.
✅Draws 130W instead of 180W, a 50W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce GTX 1080 across 48 tracked games in our benchmark data.

GeForce GTX 1080

2016

GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

2022

Why buy it

✅16.2% more average FPS across 48 tracked games in our benchmark data.

Why buy it

✅Costs $350 less on MSRP ($249 MSRP vs $599 MSRP).
✅Delivers 83.3% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 47.8 vs 26.1 G3D/$ ($249 MSRP vs $599 MSRP).
✅Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
✅More future proof: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.
✅Draws 130W instead of 180W, a 50W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
❌Poor future-proofing: 2016-era hardware with 8 GB of VRAM is already a legacy-tier option for modern games.
❌
140.6% HIGHER MSRP
$599 MSRPvs$249 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 26.1 vs 47.8 G3D/$ ($599 MSRP vs $249 MSRP).
❌38.5% higher power demand at 180W vs 130W.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce GTX 1080 across 48 tracked games in our benchmark data.

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce GTX 1080 better than GeForce RTX 3050 OEM?

Yes. GeForce GTX 1080 is clearly the better overall GPU here. GeForce GTX 1080 averages 16.2% more FPS across 48 tracked games in our benchmark data. You are also looking at 15,609 vs 11,892 in G3D Mark. On top of that, GeForce GTX 1080 is a 2016 card with no meaningful modern upscaling stack, while GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is a 2022 model from an older generation with DLSS Super Resolution. So this is not really a tight same-tier comparison. It is more a modern card against an older, weaker alternative.

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

GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer 2022 generation instead of 2016, better upscaling support with DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack, and a 8nm process instead of 16nm. That broader feature stack should age better as more games lean on modern upscaling and frame-generation support.

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

GeForce GTX 1080 is the smarter buy by a wide margin. GeForce GTX 1080 is about 140.6% more expensive on MSRP at $599 MSRP versus $249 MSRP, and you are getting 16.2% more estimated average FPS across 48 tracked games in our benchmark data and 31.3% higher G3D Mark. GeForce RTX 3050 OEM really only makes sense now as a very cheap stopgap or a used-market placeholder.

When does GeForce RTX 3050 OEM make more sense than GeForce GTX 1080?

Yes. GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is still an excellent gaming GPU in 2026: it is still comfortable for 1080p and decent for 1440p, though 4K is more situational. It makes more sense if your priority is newer architecture, lower power draw (130W vs 180W), future-proofing, and staying closer to $249 MSRP more than squeezing out the extra headroom of GeForce GTX 1080. The trade-off is that GeForce GTX 1080 currently gives you 31.3% higher G3D Mark and 16.2% more estimated average FPS across 48 tracked games in our benchmark data. GeForce RTX 3050 OEM 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 GTX 1080 Benchmark Check

GeForce RTX 3050 OEM Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce GTX 1080	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
1080p
low	153 FPS	130 FPS
medium	135 FPS	113 FPS
high	120 FPS	99 FPS
ultra	102 FPS	83 FPS
1440p
low	131 FPS	119 FPS
medium	106 FPS	96 FPS
high	94 FPS	81 FPS
ultra	85 FPS	69 FPS
4K
low	77 FPS	64 FPS
medium	65 FPS	57 FPS
high	52 FPS	39 FPS
ultra	45 FPS	33 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 1080 Open GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce GTX 1080	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
1080p
low	289 FPS	239 FPS
medium	242 FPS	206 FPS
high	181 FPS	164 FPS
ultra	147 FPS	128 FPS
1440p
low	186 FPS	163 FPS
medium	158 FPS	135 FPS
high	127 FPS	112 FPS
ultra	103 FPS	92 FPS
4K
low	106 FPS	88 FPS
medium	88 FPS	74 FPS
high	73 FPS	62 FPS
ultra	57 FPS	49 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 1080 Open GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce GTX 1080	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
1080p
low	702 FPS	535 FPS
medium	562 FPS	428 FPS
high	468 FPS	357 FPS
ultra	351 FPS	268 FPS
1440p
low	527 FPS	401 FPS
medium	421 FPS	321 FPS
high	351 FPS	268 FPS
ultra	263 FPS	201 FPS
4K
low	351 FPS	268 FPS
medium	281 FPS	214 FPS
high	234 FPS	178 FPS
ultra	176 FPS	134 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 1080 Open GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce GTX 1080	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
1080p
low	399 FPS	467 FPS
medium	334 FPS	414 FPS
high	281 FPS	335 FPS
ultra	241 FPS	268 FPS
1440p
low	332 FPS	372 FPS
medium	277 FPS	321 FPS
high	220 FPS	236 FPS
ultra	182 FPS	197 FPS
4K
low	180 FPS	199 FPS
medium	141 FPS	175 FPS
high	129 FPS	150 FPS
ultra	106 FPS	125 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 1080 Open GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 1080 and GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

GeForce GTX 1080

The GeForce GTX 1080 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 27 2016. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 1607 MHz to 1733 MHz. It has 2560 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 180W. Manufactured using 16 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 15,609 points. Launch price was $599.

GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 4 2022. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1515 MHz to 1755 MHz. It has 2560 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 130W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 20 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 11,892 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTX 1080 scores 15,609 versus the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM's 11,892 — the GeForce GTX 1080 leads by 31.3%. The GeForce GTX 1080 is built on Pascal while the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM uses Ampere, both on 16 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1080) vs 2,560 (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM). Raw compute: 8.873 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1080) vs 8.986 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM). Boost clocks: 1733 MHz vs 1755 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1080	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
G3D Mark Score	15,609+31%	11,892
Architecture	Pascal	Ampere
Process Node	16 nm	8 nm
Shading Units	2560	2560
Compute (TFLOPS)	8.873 TFLOPS	8.986 TFLOPS+1%
Boost Clock	1733 MHz	1755 MHz+1%
ROPs	64+100%	32
TMUs	160+100%	80
L1 Cache	0.94 MB	2.5 MB+166%
L2 Cache	2 MB	2 MB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM supports the newer DLSS 2 Super Resolution, whereas the GeForce GTX 1080 is capped at Upscaling support.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1080	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
Upscaling Tech	Upscaling support	DLSS 2 Super Resolution
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	NVIDIA Reflex

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

Both cards feature 8 GB of video memory. Memory bandwidth: 320 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1080) vs 224 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM) — a 42.9% advantage for the GeForce GTX 1080. Bus width: 256-bit vs 128-bit.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1080	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
VRAM Capacity	8 GB	8 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5X	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	320 GB/s+43%	224 GB/s
Bus Width	256-bit+100%	128-bit
L2 Cache	2 MB	2 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12.1 (GeForce GTX 1080) vs 12.2 (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM). Vulkan: 1.4 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1080	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
DirectX	12.1	12.2
Vulkan	1.4+8%	1.3
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 6th gen (GeForce GTX 1080) vs 8th Gen NVENC (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM). Decoder: NVDEC 3rd gen vs 5th Gen NVDEC. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC,VP8,VP9,MPEG-2,VC-1 (GeForce GTX 1080) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (Decode) (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1080	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
Encoder	NVENC 6th gen	8th Gen NVENC
Decoder	NVDEC 3rd gen	5th Gen NVDEC
Codecs	H.264,H.265/HEVC,VP8,VP9,MPEG-2,VC-1	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (Decode)

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 1080 draws 180W versus the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM's 130W — a 32.3% difference. The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (GeForce GTX 1080) vs 450W (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 267mm vs 235mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 75°C.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1080	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
TDP	180W	130W-28%
Recommended PSU	500W	450W-10%
Power Connector	8-pin	8-pin
Length	267mm	235mm
Height	111mm	124mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	75°C	75°C
Perf/Watt	86.7	91.5+6%

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 1080 launched at $599 MSRP, while the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM launched at $249. The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM costs 58.4% less ($350 savings) on MSRP. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 26.1 (GeForce GTX 1080) vs 47.8 (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM) — the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM offers 83.1% better value. The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is the newer GPU (2022 vs 2016).