RTX 2070 Vs RTX 3080: We Tested Both

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Uzair Qureshi

At Tech4Gamers, I proudly wear the title of Comparisons Specialist. Focused on CPUs and GPUs, I bring forth a wealth of hands-on experience and a keen eye for detail to provide our audience with the latest insights and analyses.

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Pros And Cons

Comparison Table

Architectural Difference

• Architecture and GPU Chip: The RTX 2070 uses the TU106 GPU based on the Turing architecture, whereas the RTX 3080 uses the GA102 based on the Ampere architecture.
• Clock Speed: In terms of the base clock, the RTX 2070 beats the RTX 3080 by 11.9%, while the boost clock of the RTX 3080 is about 5.5% greater than the RTX 2070.
• VRAM: The RTX 2070 features 256-bit 8GB GDDR6 memory, while the RTX 3080 offers a superior 384-bit GDDR6X memory with wop options, one 8GB and the other 12GB.
• Advanced Technologies: While the DLSS performance between the two cards remains largely the same, the 2nd Gen RT cores on the 3080 allow it for actual use of Ray Tracing in games.

The RTX 20 series innovated Nvidia GPUs with intelligent solutions for tricky challenges, which you can see in our review of the ZOTAC RTX 2070. The RTX 30 series cemented that Nvidia’s strategy pushed gaming performance beyond its limits. In RTX 2070 vs RTX 3080, we will compare the two to highlight performance refinements.

Gaming Benchmarks

In this part of the RTX 2070 vs RTX 3080, we will discuss the performance of each card in real-world gaming scenarios. We conducted these tests in a controlled environment on a test bench, the specifications of which are listed below.

Test Bench

• CPU: Intel Core i7-13700K
• Motherboard: MSI MEG Z790 ACE MAX Motherboard 
• RAM: XPG Lancer RGB 32GB 7200MHz DDR5 Ram
• SSD: Teamgroup T-Force Z540 2TB Gen5 NVMe SSD
• Power Supply: ENERMAX REVOLUTION D.F. X 1050W
• CPU Cooler: XIGMATEK Aurora 360 Cooler

1440p Benchmarks

God Of War

• In the first game of our testing at 1440p, the RTX 3080 dominated the RTX 2070 by 86% with an average of 108 FPS over 58 FPS.
• The 1% lows were not any kinder to the RTX 2070. It achieved a low 1% framerate of 46 FPS compared to 86 FPS in God Of War.

Forza Horizon 5

• Utilizing ultra settings in Forza Horizon 5, the RTX 2070 got an average of 59 FPS, 91% better than the 110 FPS the RTX 3080 achieved.
• Regarding 1% lows, the RTX 2070 performed about 46 FPS, whereas the RTX 3080 was less stuttery with 88 FPS.

Microsoft Flight Simulator

• The RTX 3080 once again proved to have 84% greater capabilities during Microsoft Flight Simulator. It averaged about 59 FPS compared to 32 FPS on the RTX 2070.
• 1% lows were, as expected, better on the RTX 3080. It had 1% lows of 25 FPS compared to 47 FPS on the RTX 2070.

Death Stranding

• In Hideo Kojima’s Death Stranding, the RTX 3080 showed 82% greater performance by managing 159 FPS on average compared to the 87 FPS average of the RTX 2070.
• 1% lows did not differ drastically in this game compared to the averages. The RTX 3080 had an average of 128 FPS, surpassing the RTX 2070’s 69 FPS.

Battlefield 2042

• In the notoriously hard-to-run Battlefield 2042, the RTX 2070 managed about 64 FPS on average, whereas the RTX 3080 had an 87% greater average of about 120 FPS.
• This game had the RTX 2070 outputting a 1% low of 50 FPS, whereas the RTX 3080 had a 1% low of 95 FPS.

4K Benchmarks

God Of War

• Testing God Of War at 4k Ultra, the RTX 3080 outperformed the RTX 2070 by 86%, maintaining an average of 84 FPS compared to 45 FPS.
• The RTX 2070 didn’t fare better in terms of 1% lows. It achieved 1% lows of 31 FPS, while the RTX 3080 achieved 59 FPS in God Of War.

Forza Horizon 5

• While playing Forza Horizon 5 at 4K, the RTX 2070 obtained an average of 45 FPS compared to the 85 FPS, an 88.9% better performance achieved by the RTX 3080.
• Regarding 1% lows, the performance of the RTX 2070 was around 31 FPS, whereas the RTX 3080 came closer to 58 FPS.

Microsoft Flight Simulator

• In our Microsoft Flight Simulator gameplay at 4k, the RTX 2070 averaged a cinematic 25 FPS. In contrast, the RTX 3080 delivered a great average frame rate of 47 FPS.
• Both these graphics cards disappointed in this title, with 1% lows of 32 FPS for the RTX 3080 and 17 FPS for the RTX 2070.

Death Stranding

• In our Death Stranding session at 4K, the RTX 2070 averaged about 52 FPS, whereas the RTX 3080 was 84.6% more playable, with an average of 96 FPS.
• Switching gears to 1% lows, the RTX 3080 had 67 FPS, while the RTX 2070 lagged with 36 FPS.

Battlefield 2042

• Turning up the resolution in Battlefield 2042, we saw that the 2070 averaged 41 FPS, whereas the RTX 3070 averaged 87% better, about 77 FPS.
• This game had the RTX 2070 outputting 1% lows of 28 FPS, whereas the RTX 3080 had 1% lows of 53 FPS.

Overall Gaming Performance

In our testing, the RTX 3080 demolished the RTX 2070 in all games at both resolutions. The RTX 3080 showed a significant performance increase, with an average frame rate of about 86% higher and a low 1% frame rate of about 88% better than the RTX 2070.

Price And Availability

The RTX 3080 was launched at about 40% higher price tag considering the launch prices. However, regarding current prices for the refurbished GPUs, the RTX 3080 is nearly 165% more expensive than the RTX 2070. So, the RTX 2070 offers more excellent value because it delivers better performance per dollar.

Final Verdict – What Do We Recommend?

GeForce RTX 3080: The RTX 3080 stands out as a high-end GPU, efficiently handling 1440p and 4K games. Its ray-tracing capabilities have been significantly enhanced, and the 384-bit memory bus contributes to faster processing speeds.

GeForce RTX 2070: The RTX 2070 caters to budget-conscious gamers seeking competitive gameplay at 1080p and good visual quality at 1440p. Known for its energy efficiency, this GPU offers good performance at a very affordable price.

For better performance in high-resolution gaming and demanding tasks, we recommend the RTX 3080. For a budget-friendly gaming experience with lower running costs, the RTX 2070 is a good option.

More From RTX 3080

• RTX 3080 Vs RX 6800 XT
• RTX 4080 Vs RTX 3080
• RTX 3080 Vs RX 6900 XT

More From RTX 2070:

• RTX 2070 Vs RTX 2080
• RTX 2070 Vs RX 6650 XT
• RTX 2070 Vs RTX 2070 SUPER

Uzair Qureshi

[Comparisons Specialist]

I’m a passionate computer hardware expert specializing in CPUs and GPUs. With a lifelong curiosity for hardware and extensive hands-on experience, I provide valuable insights, practical advice, and in-depth analysis on these components. Engaging with the hardware community, I exchange knowledge and stay at the forefront of technological advancements.

Get In Touch: uzair@tech4gamers.com