Selecting the right GPU is something important for gamers and creators. In this article, we are going to be comparing NVIDIA’s older high-end card – the RTX 2080 – with the current mid-range Ampere card – the RTX 3060. Both have impressive performance but their target market is different. This time, we will compare the RTX 2080 vs RTX 3060 in terms of performance, power efficiency or efficiency per dollar, price, and highlights so that you can determine the superiority of each GPU.
Overview of RTX 2080 vs RTX 3060
| Specification | RTX 2080 | RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| Release Year | 2018 | 2021 |
| Architecture | Turing | Ampere |
| VRAM | 8GB GDDR6 | 12GB GDDR6 |
| CUDA Cores | 2944 | 3584 |
| Base/Boost Clock | 1515/1710 MHz | 1320/1777 MHz |
| TDP (Power Usage) | 215W | 170W |
The RTX 2080 based on the Turing architecture was created for gaming and application performance. The RTX 3060, even though it positions as a mid-tier graphics card, gets the new architecture and additional features from the newer line of graphics cards.
Gaming Performance: RTX 2080 vs RTX 3060
In gaming assessments, the RTX 2080 generally looks to deliver higher unadulterated framerate, however, depending on memory demanding operations, RTX 3060 is superior due to larger VRAM.
| Game | RTX 2080 (FPS Avg) | RTX 3060 (FPS Avg) |
|---|---|---|
| Cyberpunk 2077 | ~70 FPS (DLSS) | ~65 FPS (DLSS) |
| Call of Duty: Warzone | ~110 FPS | ~100 FPS |
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider | ~85 FPS | ~78 FPS |
| Fortnite | ~160 FPS (Performance Mode) | ~150 FPS |
Key Takeaway: This is so because, as has been observed from the table above, the RTX 2080 boasts the largest raw performance lead, especially in games that do not strictly rely on DLSS. Still, in the newer games that require more VRAM and at ultra setting the RTX 3060 comes out on top due to its additional 12GB of VRAM..
Power Efficiency and Thermal Performance
Efficiency is an area where the newer RTX 3060 shines compared to the RTX 2080.
| Feature | RTX 2080 | RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP (Power Usage) | 215W | 170W |
| Recommended PSU | 650W | 550W |
| Thermal Output | Higher | Lower |
The new addition to the RTX series, the RTX 3060, with the new Ampere architecture, is a more efficient graphics card, so it should be preferred in compact or less potent systems. The RTX 2080 is far more powerful but it has larger power and cooling consumption as well.
Pricing and Availability
With both GPUs primarily available in the secondhand market, pricing plays a significant role in the RTX 2080 vs RTX 3060 decision.
| Feature | RTX 2080 | RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch MSRP | $699 | $329 |
| Used Market Price | ~$250-$400 | ~$250-$350 |
Even so, the higher performance of the RTX 2080 is still asking for a higher price in the used market today. The RTX 3060 is a much more efficient card and new architecture which makes it provide better value for its performance.
Key Features
| Feature | RTX 2080 | RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| Ray Tracing Cores | 1st Gen | 2nd Gen |
| DLSS Support | DLSS 2.0 | DLSS 2.0 |
| VRAM | 8GB GDDR6 | 12GB GDDR6 |
| Driver Support | Mature | Latest and Active |
Both GPUs have ray tracing and DLSS, and RTX 3060 has second-generation ray tracing cores and the latest NVIDIA driver features. As for other tasks such as video editing or running heavily modified games, and for that larger VRAM, the RTX 3060 would be preferable.
Final Verdict: RTX 2080 vs RTX 3060
The decision between the RTX 2080 vs RTX 3060 boils down to your specific requirements:
- Choose the RTX 2080 if:
- You prioritize raw performance in non-memory-intensive tasks.
- You don’t mind higher power consumption for better frame rates.
- You’re looking for a high-end GPU at a secondhand price.
- Choose the RTX 3060 if:
- You value efficiency and lower power usage.
- You need more VRAM for newer games and creative tasks.
- You prefer a newer architecture with active driver support.
CLICK HERE: GTX 980 vs GTX 1060
Conclusion
The comparison of RTX 2080 and RTX 3060 reveals the difference between an obsolete top ith-generation Nvidia graphics card of the Turing architecture, and an mti-generation card of the Ampere architecture. The RTX 2080 continues to be a bleeding edge performer with the RTX 3060 offering improvements in efficiency and a host of contemporary features. What you need to consider is your budget, requirement in the games, and what you want from the system in the future.