GeForce RTX 3060 vs GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3060

2021Core: 1320 MHzBoost: 1777 MHz

Popular choices:

VS
NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU

2021Core: 1365 MHzBoost: 1665 MHz

Popular choices:

RTX 3060

Performance Spectrum - GPU

About G3D Mark

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 3060

2021

Why buy it

  • Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 51.7 vs 0 G3D/$ ($329 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).

Trade-offs

  • Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Less VRAM, with 12 GB vs 16 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (112 vs 320), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.

GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU

2021

Why buy it

  • 43.6% more average FPS across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • 185.7% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (320 vs 112).
  • 33.3% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (16 GB vs 12 GB).

Trade-offs

  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 51.7 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU better than GeForce RTX 3060?
Yes. GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU is the better GPU overall here. You are getting 43.6% more average FPS across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data, 12.4% higher PassMark G3D performance, 320 vs 112 Tensor cores, and 16 GB vs 12 GB of VRAM.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 12.4% more raw performance headroom, more VRAM at 16 GB instead of 12 GB, and 185.7% more ray-tracing hardware. That leaves it with more room for heavier textures, tougher ray tracing loads, and higher-end 1440p or 4K gaming over the next few years.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper card?
GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU is priced in an unclear MSRP range at an unclear MSRP versus $329 MSRP, and you are getting 43.6% more estimated average FPS across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data and 12.4% higher G3D Mark. GeForce RTX 3060 still holds the G3D-per-dollar lead, so the performance win comes with a real value premium. If you are comfortable paying the premium for the stronger gaming result, GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU is the one to buy. If staying closer to budget matters more, GeForce RTX 3060 still makes more sense on price alone and remains capable enough for modern gaming.
Is GeForce RTX 3060 still worth buying for gaming in 2026?
Yes. GeForce RTX 3060 is still a strong gaming GPU in 2026: it is very strong for 1080p, good for 1440p, and more limited at 4K. This mostly comes down to price. If you want to stay closer to $329 MSRP, it remains a strong choice; if you are comfortable paying more, GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU earns that extra money with a clearly stronger gaming result and a more complete overall package.

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.

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

PresetGeForce RTX 3060GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU
1080p
low149 FPS255 FPS
medium131 FPS238 FPS
high118 FPS198 FPS
ultra99 FPS173 FPS
1440p
low126 FPS247 FPS
medium104 FPS207 FPS
high92 FPS158 FPS
ultra80 FPS142 FPS
4K
low67 FPS163 FPS
medium58 FPS135 FPS
high39 FPS95 FPS
ultra32 FPS85 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetGeForce RTX 3060GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU
1080p
low354 FPS574 FPS
medium310 FPS500 FPS
high249 FPS416 FPS
ultra195 FPS361 FPS
1440p
low222 FPS418 FPS
medium196 FPS362 FPS
high160 FPS301 FPS
ultra128 FPS249 FPS
4K
low110 FPS218 FPS
medium94 FPS189 FPS
high77 FPS159 FPS
ultra60 FPS133 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetGeForce RTX 3060GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU
1080p
low765 FPS860 FPS
medium612 FPS688 FPS
high510 FPS573 FPS
ultra382 FPS430 FPS
1440p
low535 FPS645 FPS
medium432 FPS516 FPS
high366 FPS430 FPS
ultra287 FPS322 FPS
4K
low367 FPS430 FPS
medium298 FPS344 FPS
high221 FPS287 FPS
ultra176 FPS215 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetGeForce RTX 3060GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU
1080p
low523 FPS801 FPS
medium452 FPS688 FPS
high383 FPS573 FPS
ultra319 FPS430 FPS
1440p
low428 FPS645 FPS
medium371 FPS516 FPS
high298 FPS430 FPS
ultra245 FPS322 FPS
4K
low279 FPS430 FPS
medium259 FPS344 FPS
high225 FPS287 FPS
ultra186 FPS215 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3060 and GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU

NVIDIA

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.

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU

The GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 31 2021. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1365 MHz to 1665 MHz. It has 10240 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 150W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 80 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 19,108 points. Launch price was $1,199.

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3060 scores 16,995 versus the GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU's 19,108 — the GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU leads by 12.4%. The GeForce RTX 3060 is built on Ampere while the GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU uses Ampere, both on a 8 nm process. Shader units: 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 10,240 (GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU). Raw compute: 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 34.1 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU). Boost clocks: 1777 MHz vs 1665 MHz. Ray tracing: 28 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 80 (GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU) with 112 Tensor cores vs 320.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU
G3D Mark Score
16,995
19,108+12%
Architecture
Ampere
Ampere
Process Node
8 nm
8 nm
Shading Units
3584
10240+186%
Compute (TFLOPS)
12.74 TFLOPS
34.1 TFLOPS+168%
Boost Clock
1777 MHz+7%
1665 MHz
ROPs
48
112+133%
TMUs
112
320+186%
L1 Cache
3.5 MB
10 MB+186%
L2 Cache
3 MB
6 MB+100%
Ray Tracing Cores
28
80+186%
Tensor Cores
112
320+186%

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU
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 3060 comes with 12 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU has 16 GB. The GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU offers 33.3% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 360 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 512 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU) — a 42.2% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU. Bus width: 192-bit vs 256-bit. L2 Cache: 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 6 MB (GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU) — the GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU
VRAM Capacity
12 GB
16 GB+33%
Memory Type
GDDR6
GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth
360 GB/s
512 GB/s+42%
Bus Width
192-bit
256-bit+33%
L2 Cache
3 MB
6 MB+100%
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU
DirectX
12 Ultimate
12 Ultimate
Vulkan
1.3
1.3
OpenGL
4.6
4.6
Max Displays
4
4
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 7th Gen (GeForce RTX 3060) vs NVENC 5th gen (GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU). Decoder: NVDEC 5th Gen vs NVDEC 7th gen. Supported codecs: AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs H.264,H.265,AV1 (GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU
Encoder
NVENC 7th Gen
NVENC 5th gen
Decoder
NVDEC 5th Gen
NVDEC 7th gen
Codecs
AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9
H.264,H.265,AV1
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3060 draws 170W versus the GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU's 150W — a 12.5% difference. The GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 650W (GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU). Power connectors: 8-pin vs Mobile. Card length: 242mm vs 0mm, occupying 2 vs 0 slots. Typical load temperature: 75 vs 80°C.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU
TDP
170W
150W-12%
Recommended PSU
550W-15%
650W
Power Connector
8-pin
Mobile
Length
242mm
0mm
Height
112mm
0mm
Slots
2
0-100%
Temp (Load)
75-6%
80°C
Perf/Watt
100.0
127.4+27%