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NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 vs NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090: Comparison
GeForce RTX 3080 vs GeForce RTX 3090 memory bandwidth compared
The gap that matters here is memory bandwidth: GeForce RTX 3080 760 GB/s against GeForce RTX 3090 936.2 GB/s, which puts GeForce RTX 3090 19% ahead. Blender Cycles (GPU) backs the spec sheet up. GeForce RTX 3090 scores 5,412 to 4,529 over 629 runs, 16% clear. Add memory bus width to that, 320 bit on the GeForce RTX 3080 versus 384 bit on the GeForce RTX 3090, and the pattern holds. They differ on power connector too, 2x 8-pin on the GeForce RTX 3080 versus 1x 12V-2x6 on the GeForce RTX 3090.
GeForce RTX 3080 vs GeForce RTX 3090: which one fits your build
Buy the GeForce RTX 3080 for buyers who want flagship-tier Ampere performance without RTX 3090 pricing, though it is not the pick for anyone who specifically needs more than 10GB of VRAM. it is the wrong buy for gaming-only buyers who won't use the extra VRAM headroom. The same goes for creators and early local-AI users who specifically need a large VRAM buffer on Ampere-era hardware. Our rating of the GeForce RTX 3080 (8.5/10): the generational leap that defined Ampere, still strong outside its 10GB memory limit. Our rating of the GeForce RTX 3090 (7.5/10): A 24GB VRAM buffer for creators and local AI work, with modest gaming gains over the 3080.
Which is cheaper, GeForce RTX 3080 or GeForce RTX 3090?
At the last price check the GeForce RTX 3080 was $699 and the GeForce RTX 3090 $1,499, a 114% premium.
Where the two are identical
Everything else lines up. Product type, memory type, ray tracing support and pcie generation read the same on both, so those are not worth weighing.
Frequently asked questions
Do the GeForce RTX 3080 and GeForce RTX 3090 differ on tdp?
Yes. TDP reads 320 W on the GeForce RTX 3080 versus 350 W on the GeForce RTX 3090.
Specs and benchmarks
Product Type
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080
- Desktop Add-In Card
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090
- Desktop Add-In Card
Series
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080
- GeForce RTX 30
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090
- GeForce RTX 30
Memory Type
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080
- GDDR6X
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090
- GDDR6X
Boost Clock
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080
- 1710 MHzBest
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090
- 1695 MHz-1%
Ray Tracing Support
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080
- Yes
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090
- Yes
TDP
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080
- 320 WBest
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090
- 350 W-9%
Architecture
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080
- Ampere (GA102)
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090
- Ampere
Process Node
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080
- Samsung 8N
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090
- Samsung 8N
Shader Units
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080
- 8704
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090
- 10496
RT Cores
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080
- 68
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090
- 82Best
Base Clock
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080
- 1440 MHz
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090
- 1395 MHz
Memory Bus Width
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080
- 320 bit-17%
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090
- 384 bitBest
Memory Bandwidth
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080
- 760 GB/s-19%
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090
- 936.2 GB/sBest
Power Connector
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080
- 2x 8-pin
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090
- 1x 12V-2x6
PCIe Generation
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080
- PCIe 4.0
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090
- PCIe 4.0
MSRP
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080
- $699
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090
- $1,499
Launch Date
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080
- September 2020
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090
- September 2020
Benchmarks
- 3D Rendering
Blender Cycles (GPU)
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080
- 4,529-16%
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090
- 5,412Best
Blender 4.5, Blender Open Data (CC0). Median of monster + junkshop + classroom, combined samples/min.
Renders a 3D scene on the graphics card. Shows speed in Blender and similar 3D apps, not in games.
Which one should you pick?
Choose NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 if you want the higher boost clock (1710 MHz vs 1695 MHz) and the lower TDP (320 W vs 350 W).
Choose NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 if you want the higher memory bus width (384 bit vs 320 bit), the higher memory bandwidth (936.2 GB/s vs 760 GB/s) and the higher blender cycles (GPU) (5,412 vs 4,529).
Price comparison
| Retailer | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 |
|---|---|---|
| Consumercarts listing | $699.00 View on Consumercarts listing | $1,499.00 View on Consumercarts listing |
Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.
Verdict
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080
8.5 / 10 Expert Rating
The generational leap that defined Ampere, still strong outside its 10GB memory limit.
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090
7.5 / 10 Expert Rating
A 24GB VRAM buffer for creators and local AI work, with modest gaming gains over the 3080.