RTX 2080 Vs RTX 3080: Worth Upgrading In 2023?

The RTX 2080 is the high-end GPU of its era launched by Nvidia in their initial RTX 20 series. Contrarily, the RTX 3080 is a top-tier graphics card of Nvidia’s RTX 30 series. These graphics cards possess remarkable power and deliver exceptional performance. In RTX 2080 vs RTX 3080, we will scrutinize the extent of performance improvements and added features implemented by Nvidia in the two GPUs. 

Key Takeaways

• In gaming performance, the GeForce RTX 3080 outperforms the RTX 2080 by an average margin of approximately 50%.
• Nonetheless, the RTX 2080 outperforms the RTX 3080 with a margin of 58% in power efficiency and 5.6% in thermal efficiency.
• Given the price of GPUs, the RTX 3080 is now selling for about $1000, and the RTX 2080 is available for around $800.

RTX 2080 Vs RTX 3080

Comparison Table

Architecture & Design Details

The GeForce RTX 2080 is imbued with Nvidia’s Turing architecture, the first RTX generation. In contrast, the GeForce RTX 3080 is equipped with Nvidia’s Ampere architecture, a previously unrivaled technology in the field.

Considering the GPU chip, the RTX 2080 has TU104 (12nm), while the RTX 3080 (8nm) has a more brilliant GA102 chip. The GA102 has more CUDA and Ray Tracing cores, Texture Mapping units, ROPs, and Tensor cores. It also has a higher CUDA capability than the TU104 of RTX 2080.

Also Read: GTX 1080 Vs RTX 2080

Moreover, the RTX 2080 has 1st generation Ray Tracing and 2nd generation Tensor cores, while the RTX 3080 has 2nd generation Ray Tracing and 3rd generation Tensor cores. Additionally, both GPUs include Nvidia DLSS among their array of features. These technical advancements translate to a significant enhancement in gaming performance.

When we see the memory specifications, the RTX 3080 was launched in two variants, each featuring distinct memory configurations. One has 384-bit 12GB GDDR6X memory, and the other has 320-bit 10GB GDDR6X. In contrast, the RTX 2080 features 256-Bit 8GB GDDR6 memory. The RTX 3080’s memory speed is 5 Gbps or 35% faster than the RTX 2080.

Regarding the GPU base clock speed, the 10GB and 12GB RTX 3080 GPUs have a 17.1% and 4% higher frequency than the RTX 2080, respectively. But the RTX 2080 surpasses the RTX 3080 with a 5% higher boost clock frequency in boost clock.

If you seek to augment their operating speed further, both GPUs are unlocked for overclocking. To identify appropriate software options for overclocking, read our guide on the 12 best GPU overclocking software in 2023.

Also Read: Does Overclocking Reduce GPU’s Lifespan?

Let’s now discuss the TDP and thermal specifications. The GPU power of the RTX 2080 is only 225 W, and it requires a 650 W PSU. On the other hand, the TDP of 12GB RTX 3080 is 350 W, and that of 10GB RTX 3080 is 320 W.

The RTX 3080 GPUs require a minimum system power of 750 W. There is a 5°C disparity in maximum operating temperatures between these GPUs, with the RTX 3080 capable of operating at higher temperatures of up to 93°C.

Related Article: RTX 3070 Ti vs RTX 2080 Ti

Gaming Benchmarks

The most sensible way to assess a graphics card’s performance is to examine its gaming capabilities. In the RTX 2080 vs RTX 3080 benchmarks, we shall assess their performance and respective efficiencies across 10 demanding games at 1440p resolution. The system’s technical specifications utilized to run these games are provided below.

Gaming Rig

• OS: Windows 10 Pro
• CPU: Intel Core i9 10900K 3.7GHz
• GPU 1: RTX 2080 8GB (MSI Gaming X TRIO)
• GPU 2: RTX 3080 10GB (MSI VENTUS 3X)
• Motherboard: MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Plus
• RAM: G.SKILL TridentZ RGB Series 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR4 3600 MHz
• Power Supply: Corsair RM850i 850W
• CPU Cooler: Zalman CNPS10X Performa

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey

• In Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, the performance of the RTX 3080 was 50% superior to the RTX 2080.
• The RTX 3080 delivered an amazing average frame rate of 93 FPS at 1440p, while the RTX 2080 could only muster 62 FPS on average.
• During the gameplay, the RTX 3080 worked at a higher power of 304 W, whereas the RTX 2080 utilized only 173 W in an equivalent setting.
• Regarding the GPU temperature, the RTX 2080 operated at 51°C, a significantly lower temperature than the RTX 3080’s 56°C.
• If we see the low 1% frame rate, the RTX 3080 yield a beautiful 70 FPS, while the RTX 2080 could only work out 58 FPS.

Also Check: RTX 2070 Vs RTX 2080

Battlefield V

• The RTX 3080 fared 57.6% or 34 FPS higher frame rate than the RTX 2080 in Battlefield V.
• At 1440p, the RTX 2080 could only muster an average frame rate of 59 FPS, whereas the RTX 3080 produced an astounding average of 93 FPS.
• During the gameplay, the RTX 3080 used 313 W of power, compared to 182 W for the RTX 2080.
• The RTX 2080’s GPU ran at 52°C, which is 5°C cooler than the RTX 3080’s temperature of 57°C in Battlefield V.
• If we look at the low 1% frame rate, the RTX 3080 produced a stunning 85 frames per second, whereas the RTX 2080 could only produce 54 FPS.

Control

• In Control, the RTX 3080 rendered about 68% more profitable performance than the RTX 2080.
• The RTX 2080 drove an average frame rate of 59 FPS at 1440p, but the RTX 3080 managed an incredible average of 99 FPS.
• Regarding power consumption, the RTX 2080 ran 200 W of power, while the RTX 3080 consumed 311 W of electricity.
• While playing Control, the RTX 2080 operated at 53°C, and the RTX 3080 operated at 55°C.
• The RTX 3080 turned an impressive 86 FPS at the low 1% frame rate, while the RTX 2080 could only manage 62 FPS.

Forza Horizon 4

• During Forza Horizon 4, the RTX 3080 performed 35.5% or 49 FPS better than the RTX 2080.
• The RTX 3080 achieved a remarkable average frame rate of 187 FPS at 1440p, while the RTX 2080 managed an average of 138 FPS.
• In terms of electricity usage, the RTX 2080 ran at 163 W, while the RTX 3080 ran at 289 W power.
• About the gaming temperature, the RTX 2080 ran at 50°C, while the RTX 3080 operated at 56°C in Forza Horizon 4.
• While the RTX 2080 could barely muster 111 FPS at the low 1% performance, the RTX 3080 produced an astounding 144 FPS.

Also Read: RTX 4070 Vs RTX 3080

Horizon Zero Dawn

• The RTX 3080 outperformed the RTX 2080 by 48% or 35 frames per second in Horizon Zero Dawn.
• The RTX 2080 only managed 73 FPS at 1440p compared to the RTX 3080’s impressive average frame rate of 108 FPS.
• During the gameplay, the RTX 2080 consumed 194 W of electricity, whereas the RTX 3080 drank 304 W.
• In Horizon Zero Dawn, the RTX 2080 ran at 54°C, while the RTX 3080 ran at 55°C.
• Regarding low 1% performance, the RTX 3080 achieved an astonishing 92 FPS, whilst the RTX 2080 could only muster 65 FPS.

Kingdom Come Deliverance

• In Kingdom Come Deliverance, the RTX 3080 surpassed the RTX 2080 by 54% or 36 FPS.
• Contrary to the RTX 3080’s outstanding average frame rate of 103 FPS, the RTX 2080 could only muster 67 FPS.
• The RTX 2080 used 210 W of electricity while playing, whereas the RTX 3080 used 307 W.
• Regarding gaming temperature, the RTX 2080 ran at 55°C whereas the RTX 3080 ran at 57°C.
• During Kingdom Come Deliverance, the RTX 3080 reached an astounding 62 FPS in the low 1%, whilst the RTX 2080 could only manage 53 FPS.

Mafia: Definitive Edition

• In Mafia: Definitive Edition, the RTX 3080 provided a 57.4% better performance than the RTX 2080.
• The RTX 2080 averaged a frame rate of 87 FPS, while the RTX 3080 produced an astonishing average of 137 FPS.
• In terms of power consumption, the RTX 2080 consumed 209 W, while the RTX 3080 consumed 308 W of electricity.
• Comparing the gaming temperature, the RTX 2080 operated at a temperature of 55°C, and the RTX 3080 operated at 57°C.
• When comparing the low 1% frame rates, the RTX 3080 delivered an astounding 105 FPS, while the RTX 2080 could only manage 81 FPS.

Similar Comparisons: RTX 3080 Vs RX 6800 XT

Microsoft Flight Simulator

• The performance of the RTX 3080 was 22.4% better than the RTX 2080 in Microsoft Flight Simulator.
• The RTX 2080 had trouble maintaining an average frame rate of 49 FPS, and the RTX 3080 delivered an average of 60 FPS.
• During Microsoft Flight Simulator, the RTX 2080 used 199 W of electricity, whereas the RTX 3080 used 298 W.
• Regarding the operating temperature, the RTX 2080 ran at 55°C, whereas the RTX 3080 operated at 57°C.
• The RTX 3080 produced 44 FPS at the low 1% frame rate, whereas the RTX 2080 could only muster 37 FPS.

Red Dead Redemption 2

• During Red Dead Redemption 2, the RTX 3080 performed 61% better than the RTX 2080.
• The RTX 3080 produced an outstanding average frame rate of 95 FPS, while the RTX 2080 could only maintain 59 FPS on average.
• While playing Red Dead Redemption 2, the RTX 2080 utilized 193 W of electricity, whereas the RTX 3080 used 320 W.
• Compared to the RTX 3080’s 57°C operating temperature, the RTX 2080’s temperature was 4°C lower at 53°C.
• The RTX 2080 could barely manage 47 FPS, whereas the RTX 3080 produced an impressive 72 FPS at the low 1% frame rate.

Also Read: RTX 3080 Vs 3080 Ti

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

• In The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, the performance of the RTX 3080 was 50% greater than the RTX 2080.
• While playing at 1440p, the RTX 2080 held an average of 86 FPS, whereas the RTX 3080 carried out an exceptional average of 129 FPS.
• Regarding power consumption, the RTX 2080 required 210 W of power while gaming, whereas the RTX 3080 ran at 312 W.
• The RTX 2080 had an operating temperature of 55°C, whereas the RTX 3080 served at 56°C.
• At the low 1% performance, the RTX 3080 achieved an astounding 125 FPS, whereas the RTX 2080 mustered up 86 FPS.

Overall Gaming Stats

Performance

Avg FPS

• In the gaming performance battle of RTX 2080 vs RTX 3080, the RTX 3080 showcases a remarkable average performance advantage over the RTX 2080, boasting an impressive margin of approximately 50%.
• During gameplay of the aforementioned titles at 1440p, the RTX 2080 demonstrated an average frame rate of 73.9 FPS.
• In contrast, the RTX 3080 yielded an exceptional overall frame rate of 110.4 FPS at 1440p.
• The RTX 2080 failed to surpass the average frame rate achieved by the RTX 3080 across all of the aforementioned games.

Low 15 FPS

• The RTX 3080 once more outperformed the RTX 2080 in the low 1% FPS category, with an amazing average advantage of about 35.3%.
• The testing revealed that the RTX 3080 boasts an exceptional overall low 1% frame rate of 88.5 FPS, while the RTX 2080 could only manage a peak of 65.4 FPS.

Also Check: RX 5700 XT Vs RTX 3080

Conclusion

The overall performance statistics illustrate that the low 1% frame rate delivered by the RTX 3080 surpasses even the average frame rate offered by the RTX 2080 by a great margin of about 20%. Thus, when considering gaming performance, it is evident that the RTX 3080 is significantly superior to the RTX 2080.

Power Efficiency

• In regards to gaming power efficiency or energy consumption, the RTX 2080 surpasses the RTX 3080 by approximately 58%.
• During gameplay of the aforementioned games at 1440p resolution, the RTX 2080 had an average power consumption of 193.3 W, whereas the RTX 3080 consumed an average of 305.6 W.
• The 10GB RTX 3080 operated much closer to its TDP to deliver the best possible performance, while there was a bit gap from TDP in the case of the RTX 2080.

Must Read: Gaming PC Power Usage

Thermal Efficiency

• In light of gaming temperature, the RTX 2080 has a 5.6% greater thermal efficiency than the RTX 3080, which allows it to run cooler than RTX 3080 while gaming.
• The RTX 2080 (53.3°C) kept its temperature down by about 3°C while playing games at 1440p resolution compared to the RTX 3080 (56.3°C).

In case you face the GPU overheating issue, you must read our guide on how to lower GPU temperature.

Price And Availability

It is crucial to give due consideration to the price and availability factors before purchase. If we compare the MSRPs at launch, Nvidia announced the RTX 2080 and the RTX 3080 with the same price tag of $699.

In general, GPU costs tend to drop over time and when new models are released. However, the current costs of both these GPUs are more than their MSRPs due to inflation. Because of its great performance and high demand, the RTX 3080 is now selling for around $1000. In contrast, the RTX 2080 is available for $750 to $850.

Also Read: Radeon RX 6700 XT Vs GeForce RTX 3080

When it comes to availability, the RTX 2080 and RTX 3080 are widely available from plenty of online and offline retailers. Online retailers like Amazon, Newegg, and others make it easy to purchase them.

Which One Should You Go For?

In this concluding segment of our RTX 2080 vs RTX 3080 comparison, I would like to offer some insights that may assist you in making an informed decision regarding your GPU selection. Your particular requirements and spending capacity will ultimately determine which GPU is best for you.

If you’re a serious gamer looking for an advanced and best-performance GPU and don’t mind spending extra money, the RTX 3080 may be the right choice. Its improved DLSS and ray tracing capabilities could be effective for you.

On the contrary, if you seek a more cost-effective option with efficient power consumption and robust thermal management, I recommend the RTX 2080. The RTX 2080 has a 58% higher power efficiency and a 5.6% greater thermal efficiency than the RTX 3080.

Pros And Cons

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Shehryar Khan

[Comparisons Expert]

Shehryar Khan, a seasoned PC hardware expert, brings over three years of extensive experience and a deep passion for the world of technology. With a love for building PCs and a genuine enthusiasm for exploring the latest advancements in components, his expertise shines through his work and dedication towards this field. Currently, Shehryar is rocking a custom loop setup for his built.

Get In Touch: [email protected]