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

2020

Why buy it

✅22.6% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 35.9 vs 0 G3D/$ ($699 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
✅Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).

Trade-offs

❌Less VRAM, with 10 GB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Weaker long-term outlook: RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU is the safer future-proof pick thanks to newer hardware and better gaming feature support.
❌178.3% higher power demand at 320W vs 115W.
❌171.4% longer card at 285mm vs 105mm.

RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU

2023

Why buy it

✅20% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 10 GB).
✅More future proof: Ada Lovelace (2022−2024) on 5nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.
✅Draws 115W instead of 320W, a 205W reduction.
✅Measures 105mm instead of 285mm, a 180mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3080 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 35.9 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $699 MSRP).

GeForce RTX 3080

2020

RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU

2023

Why buy it

✅22.6% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 35.9 vs 0 G3D/$ ($699 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
✅Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).

Why buy it

✅20% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 10 GB).
✅More future proof: Ada Lovelace (2022−2024) on 5nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.
✅Draws 115W instead of 320W, a 205W reduction.
✅Measures 105mm instead of 285mm, a 180mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

❌Less VRAM, with 10 GB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Weaker long-term outlook: RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU is the safer future-proof pick thanks to newer hardware and better gaming feature support.
❌178.3% higher power demand at 320W vs 115W.
❌171.4% longer card at 285mm vs 105mm.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3080 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 35.9 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $699 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 3080 better than RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU?

Yes. GeForce RTX 3080 is the better GPU overall here. You are getting 22.6% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data, 0.8% higher PassMark G3D performance, DLSS 2 Super Resolution, and 272 vs 160 Tensor cores. It also comes from 2020 instead of 2023, which helps its case as the more complete modern gaming card.

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

RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer 2023 generation instead of 2020, more VRAM at 12 GB instead of 10 GB, the stronger feature stack with no meaningful modern upscaling stack instead of DLSS Super Resolution, and a 5nm process instead of 8nm. 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 3080 is the smarter buy today, but it is not as lopsided as a simple winner label makes it sound. GeForce RTX 3080 is priced in an unclear MSRP range at $699 MSRP versus an unclear MSRP, and you are getting 22.6% more estimated average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and a lower G3D Mark (25,071 vs 25,267). It also leads G3D-per-dollar by 100+%. RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU is the newer 2023 card, so it still has a real case if you care more about newer architecture, lower power draw (115W vs 320W), and future-proofing than about squeezing out the strongest gaming value today.

When does RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU make more sense than GeForce RTX 3080?

Yes. RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU 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, lower power draw (115W vs 320W), future-proofing, and staying closer to an unclear MSRP more than squeezing out the extra headroom of GeForce RTX 3080. The trade-off is that GeForce RTX 3080 currently gives you a lower G3D Mark (25,071 vs 25,267) and 22.6% more estimated average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data. It also leads G3D-per-dollar by 100+%.

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 Benchmark Check

RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3080	RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU
1080p
low	164 FPS	141 FPS
medium	150 FPS	122 FPS
high	129 FPS	104 FPS
ultra	113 FPS	73 FPS
1440p
low	139 FPS	113 FPS
medium	116 FPS	94 FPS
high	97 FPS	73 FPS
ultra	88 FPS	51 FPS
4K
low	85 FPS	50 FPS
medium	72 FPS	44 FPS
high	56 FPS	32 FPS
ultra	50 FPS	27 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3080 Open RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3080	RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU
1080p
low	579 FPS	370 FPS
medium	493 FPS	316 FPS
high	390 FPS	250 FPS
ultra	338 FPS	213 FPS
1440p
low	386 FPS	277 FPS
medium	322 FPS	230 FPS
high	257 FPS	182 FPS
ultra	219 FPS	146 FPS
4K
low	178 FPS	130 FPS
medium	153 FPS	111 FPS
high	131 FPS	92 FPS
ultra	110 FPS	68 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3080 Open RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce RTX 3080	RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU
1080p
low	869 FPS	826 FPS
medium	706 FPS	679 FPS
high	617 FPS	612 FPS
ultra	539 FPS	538 FPS
1440p
low	686 FPS	628 FPS
medium	555 FPS	510 FPS
high	475 FPS	451 FPS
ultra	408 FPS	391 FPS
4K
low	472 FPS	405 FPS
medium	386 FPS	323 FPS
high	325 FPS	264 FPS
ultra	270 FPS	209 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3080 Open RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce RTX 3080	RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU
1080p
low	647 FPS	287 FPS
medium	588 FPS	248 FPS
high	490 FPS	205 FPS
ultra	455 FPS	179 FPS
1440p
low	524 FPS	228 FPS
medium	472 FPS	200 FPS
high	396 FPS	167 FPS
ultra	358 FPS	142 FPS
4K
low	344 FPS	140 FPS
medium	314 FPS	118 FPS
high	289 FPS	95 FPS
ultra	261 FPS	78 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3080 Open RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3080 and RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU

GeForce RTX 3080

The GeForce RTX 3080 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in September 1 2020. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1440 MHz to 1710 MHz. It has 8704 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 320W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 68 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 25,071 points. Launch price was $699.

RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU

The RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 21 2023. It features the Ada Lovelace architecture. The core clock ranges from 975 MHz to 1500 MHz. It has 5120 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 115W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 40 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 25,267 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The GeForce RTX 3080 scores 25,071 and the RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU reaches 25,267 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.8% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce RTX 3080 is built on Ampere while the RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU uses Ada Lovelace, both on 8 nm vs 5 nm. Shader units: 8,704 (GeForce RTX 3080) vs 5,120 (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU). Raw compute: 29.77 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3080) vs 15.82 TFLOPS (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU). Boost clocks: 1710 MHz vs 1500 MHz. Ray tracing: 68 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3080) vs 40 (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU) with 272 Tensor cores vs 160.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3080	RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU
G3D Mark Score	25,071	25,267
Architecture	Ampere	Ada Lovelace
Process Node	8 nm	5 nm
Shading Units	8704+70%	5120
Compute (TFLOPS)	29.77 TFLOPS+88%	15.82 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	1710 MHz+14%	1500 MHz
ROPs	96+50%	64
TMUs	272+70%	160
L1 Cache	8.5 MB+70%	5 MB
L2 Cache	5 MB	48 MB+860%
Ray Tracing Cores	68+70%	40
Tensor Cores	272+70%	160

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU supports the newer Upscaling support, whereas the GeForce RTX 3080 is capped at DLSS 2 Super Resolution.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3080	RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU
Upscaling Tech	DLSS 2 Super Resolution	Upscaling support
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	NVIDIA Reflex

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce RTX 3080 comes with 10 GB of VRAM, while the RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU has 12 GB. The RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU offers 20% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 760 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3080) vs 432 GB/s (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU) — a 75.9% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3080. Bus width: 320-bit vs 192-bit. L2 Cache: 5 MB (GeForce RTX 3080) vs 48 MB (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU) — the RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3080	RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU
VRAM Capacity	10 GB	12 GB+20%
Memory Type	GDDR6X	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	760 GB/s+76%	432 GB/s
Bus Width	320-bit+67%	192-bit
L2 Cache	5 MB	48 MB+860%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (12_2) (GeForce RTX 3080) vs 12 Ultimate (12_2) (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3080	RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU
DirectX	12 Ultimate (12_2)	12 Ultimate (12_2)
Vulkan	1.3	1.3
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (Ampere) (GeForce RTX 3080) vs NVENC 8th Gen (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU). Decoder: NVDEC (Ampere) vs NVDEC 5th Gen. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265,VP9,AV1 (GeForce RTX 3080) vs H.264,H.265,AV1 (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3080	RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU
Encoder	NVENC (Ampere)	NVENC 8th Gen
Decoder	NVDEC (Ampere)	NVDEC 5th Gen
Codecs	H.264,H.265,VP9,AV1	H.264,H.265,AV1

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3080 draws 320W versus the RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU's 115W — a 94.3% difference. The RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 750W (GeForce RTX 3080) vs 650W (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU). Power connectors: 2x 8-pin vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 285mm vs 105mm, occupying 2 vs 0 slots. Typical load temperature: 75 vs 85.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3080	RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU
TDP	320W	115W-64%
Recommended PSU	750W	650W-13%
Power Connector	2x 8-pin	PCIe-powered
Length	285mm	105mm
Height	112mm	82mm
Slots	2	0-100%
Temp (Load)	75-12%	85
Perf/Watt	78.3	219.7+181%