You might be familiar with the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 10GB, but did you know that a 12 GB model of the RTX 3080 exists? Yes, it exists and performs better than the 10GB version. However, in today’s article, we will cover the difference between RTX 3080 10GB vs RTX 3080 12GB to provide clarity.
Also, you might want to check out our RTX 4080 vs RTX 3080 comparison in case you are wondering how the card performs against Nvidia’s latest lineup.
Key Takeaways:
- The 10GB and 12GB variants of the RTX 3080 have different specifications, but the 12GB is 5-6% better than the RTX 3080 10GB.
- The RTX 3080 10GB performs similarly to the 12GB model on 1080p and 4K, making it a better option in these resolutions.
- The RTX 3080 12GB remains 2-3°C cooler but is more power-consuming than the RTX 3080 10GB.
- The RTX 3080 12GB is $100 to $200 more expensive than the RTX 3080 10GB. Water-cooled versions are also about $200 more expensive than the RTX 3080 12GB.
- The RTX 3080 12GB has less availability than the RTX 3080 10GB.
Newly Launched RTX 3080 12GB
As you may already know that it has been quite a while since Nvidia launched the first-ever RTX 3080 on 17th September 2020. This was the beginning of the RTX 3080 family, which consists of three variants: the RTX 3080 10GB, the RTX 3080 12GB, and the RTX 3080Ti.
On 11th January 2022, this family was completed as the last member of the family, RTX 3080 12GB, was released. For some reason, Nvidia observed a sly approach by silently releasing this card instead of officially announcing it. The RTX 3080 12GB had a few improvements, which made it slightly more effective than the 10GB variant of the RTX 3080.
Let’s discuss the changes and improvements by comparing the specifications of both GPUs side-by-side.
RTX 3080 10GB Vs RTX 3080 12GB Specifications
| Name | Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 10GB | Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 12GB |
| Node | Samsung 8nm | Samsung 8nm |
| Architecture | Ampere | Ampere |
| CUDA Cores | 8,704 | 8,960 |
| Core Clock | 1440 MHz | 1260 MHz |
| Boost Clock | 1710 MHz | 1710 MHz |
| Memory | 10GB GDDR6X | 12GB GDDR6X |
| Memory Bandwidth | 760.3 GB/s | 912.4 GB/s |
| Memory Clock | 1188 MHz (19 Gbps effective) | 1188 MHz 19 Gbps effective) |
| Memory Bus | 320 bit | 384 bit |
| RT Cores | 68 | 70 |
| Tensor Cores | 272 | 280 |
| Transistors | 28,300 million | 28,300 million |
| TDP | 320W | 350W |
| Power Connector | 1x 12-pin | 1x 12 pin |
| Launch Year | Sep 17, 2020 | Jan 11, 2022 |
| GPU Die | GA102 | GA102 |
| Interface | PCIe 4.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x16 |
| MSRP | $699 | $799 |
| Current Price | ~$1000 | ~$1200 |
Both the 10GB and the 12GB models of RTX 3080 share a lot of similarities and only consist of a handful of differences. However, these differences help in slightly bumping up the performance. It is important to mention that the RTX 3080 12GB isn’t only limited to having a higher amount of VRAM since Nvidia has added much more than that.
Firstly, we get to see numerous similarities between the two graphic cards. Both cards are based on the same Ampere architecture, which was first showcased by Nvidia back in September 2020. Apart from the same architecture, both also use the same 8nm Samsung node.
Core Clock And Boost Clock
When comparing, the 10GB model of the RTX 3080 is expected to have fewer attributes than the 12GB model. However, it is not the case entirely. We get to see a few specifications in which the lower VRAM model takes the lead. For instance, RTX 3080 10GB has a core frequency of 1440 MHz, whereas the 12GB variant of the RTX 3080 lags behind by having 1260 MHz.
This plays a crucial part when two of the same graphic cards are being compared, such as what we’re doing right now. Mainly, it assists in boosting the FPS in games, and this is where the RTX 3080 10GB has the edge over the others. Apart from this difference, both of the GPUs share the same boost clock frequency of 1710 MHz
Memory And Memory Bandwidth
Memory or the VRAM is the most common and evident difference between the two cards. On the one hand, we have a 10GB variant, and on the other, we get to see a 12GB one, both of which consist of GDDR6X memory type. This is an upgrade to its predecessor, the RTX 3070, which consisted of GDDR6, which consumes more power and is relatively slower.
Also Read: Nvidia RTX 4080 Vs RTX 3080 Ti
The RTX 3080 12GB possesses a higher VRAM and has a higher memory bandwidth of 912.4 GB/s over the 10GB version, which has 760.3 GB/s. This means that the data is being transferred at a faster rate from the VRAM to the computer core in the RTX 3080 12GB, which makes up for RTX 3080 10GB’s higher core clock.
Memory Clock And Memory Bus
Even though we see dissimilarities in terms of the memory bandwidth of both GPUs, they share the same memory clock. If you’re not familiar with the concept of a memory clock, simply put, it is the speed of the VRAM. Here, the memory clock is 1188 MHz, where 19GB of data is transferred per second on both cards.
As for the memory bus, it is yet another means of calculating the memory bandwidth, which tells how much the data is transferred to and from the GPU. Again, the RTX 3080 12GB takes the lead here by having a slightly better memory bus of 384-bit over the RTX 3080 10GB, which consists of 320-bit. Individually, this doesn’t equate to higher FPS, but after all memory factors are considered, it does make a difference.
RT Cores, CUDA Cores, And Tensor Cores
RT cores are Nvidia’s special hardware in GPUs that help in Ray Tracing gaming. The term “Ray Tracing” came into being since these cores perform to accelerate the mathematical calculations that are required to virtually trace the light to produce a highly-realistic scene.
Both the 10GB and the 12GB versions of the RTX 3080 have almost the same amount of RT cores, one has 68, and the other has 70, respectively. Like the RT cores, CUDA and Tensor cores perform multiple complex calculations. The only difference is that CUDA cores deliver accurate results, whereas Tensor cores have mixed precision.
To compare, the RTX 3080 12GB has more CUDA and Tensor cores than the RTX 3080 10GB, 8,960 over 8,704 and 280 over 272, respectively. Tensor cores mostly aid in rendering operations and DLSS, whereas CUDA cores help maintain a consistent FPS in gaming. That said, it is evident that the RTX 3080 12GB strikes yet again with slightly better performance.
RTX 3080 10GB Vs RTX 3080 12GB: Benchmarks On 1080p, 1440p, And 4K
One can’t really judge the performance of any card based only on the on-paper specifications. That’s where benchmark tests come in, as they properly differentiate the performance difference between the two cards. For this, BullsLab Benchmarks has tested both the RTX 3080 10GB and the RTX 3080 12GB on his powerful i9-12900K processor and 16GB of RAM.
Red Dead Redemption 2
The first game to be tested is one of the most immersive open-world games based on an enormous map. This map includes heavy vegetation in grass-laden terrains, highly-detailed snow coverage in the ice-cold regions, and a detail-rich sandy environment in the desert areas. All this use of high-textures and shaders makes it a GPU-intensive game.
Therefore, on 1080p, the gap between the two graphic cards is 4 FPS. The RTX 3080 10GB falls a few FPS behind the 12GB variant of the RTX 3080 by getting an average of 132 FPS against 137 FPS. The 10GB GPU operates at a frequency of 1920 Mhz, while the 12GB card runs at a 1965 Mhz frequency.
As for the 1% lows, the RTX 3080 10GB shows an increase in FPS over the RTX 3080 12GB at most times since it obtained around 48-84 FPS over the 12GB model, which obtained only around 46-68 FPS. The increase in FPS was gradual depending on the character’s location in the game, where the 10GB took the lead with about 7 FPS.
The performance difference was similar, but we also got similar results when considering the temperatures. The RTX 3080 10GB ran slightly warmer at 73°C, whereas the 12GB RTX 3080 functioned at 71°C. As we see a clear increase in the TDP of the 12GB variant of the RTX 3080, we also see an increased power consumption.
It consumes 376 W of power over the 10GB model, which consumes 312W of power. We see that the 12GB variant consumes more power than its TDP, whereas the 10GB variant does the exact opposite by consuming less power than its TDP.
On 1440p, we see similar results as we saw on 1080p. The RTX 3080 12GB took the lead by gaining an average of 5 FPS throughout the gameplay, where the character was exposed to different scenarios in the game. Speaking of the figures, the 10GB version obtained 115 average FPS and the 12GB variant received 120 average FPS, where both values fluctuated simultaneously.
As for the 1% lows, the 10GB model of RTX 3080 remained pretty consistent by obtaining 68-74 FPS, where the value revolved around the 70 FPS mark. On the contrary, we saw a swing in the 12GB variant since it displayed a large change of 48-62 FPS.
The two GPUs run at a higher frequency than their normal boost clock, with the 10GB version operating at about 1845-1920 Mhz and the 12GB model running at 1950-1965 Mhz. Strikingly, the temperatures rose to only about 72°C in both the graphic cards, whereas the 12GB version had more consistent values.
As for the power consumption, the 10GB model consumed about 310 W, whereas the values in the 12GB model had massive oscillations since it ranged from 379 to 401 W, where the average power consumption was 390 W.
Yet again, we see the same amount of difference in average FPS among the two GPUs of 4 FPS. However, this time, the average FPS bumped down a notch by revolving around the 90 FPS mark. The RTX 3080 10GB obtained 90 average FPS, whereas RTX 3080 12GB acquired an average of 94 FPS. Both GPUs managed to cross the 60 FPS line on 4K, whereas the 10GB version struggled slightly.
In terms of the average 1% lows, the 10GB model of the RTX 3080 remained steadily at 53 FPS, whereas the 12GB variant showed an increase from 51 to 55 FPS. Needless to say, both cards performed similarly in this area. There isn’t much difference in temperature since the RTX 3080 10GB performed at 74°C, whereas the RTX 3080 12GB operated at 72°C.
Similar Comparisons: RTX 3080 Vs RX 6900 XT
As for the power consumption, a slight decrease is observed from RTX 3080 12GB’s end. It consumed around 380 W of power through, and the fluctuations had small margins compared to the margins observed at 1440p. In contrast, the RTX 3080 10GB had only a 5 W increase from 1440p as it consumed 315 W of power on 4K.
Forza Horizon 5
Next in our RTX 3080 10GB vs. RTX 3080 12GB comparison, we have a highly realistic car racing simulator based on Mexico, which comprises even the smallest details scattered across the entire map. Despite the HD textures and realistic graphics of the game, Forza Horizon 5 doesn’t require a high-end CPU, but it puts all the strain on the GPU. Therefore, let’s put both models of the RTX 3080 to the test.
Starting with the average FPS, a higher margin can be noticed if we compare it with the 1080p results on Red Dead Redemption 2. An average of 8 FPS gap can be spotted throughout as the 10GB version of the RTX 3080 obtained an average of 107 FPS, while the 12GB model of the RTX 3080 obtained an average FPS of 115.
Concerning the 1% lows, the values were very unvarying and produced a great sight. The RTX 3080 10GB remained steadily at around 90 FPS, whereas the RTX 3080 12GB obtained about 95 FPS.
As for the temperatures, both graphic cards had massive fluctuations depending on the game’s location. The temperatures on the 10GB version stayed at around 69°C at most times. Similarly, the 12GB variant had temperatures ranging from 61°C to 66°C but mostly stayed around 64°C.
Regarding power consumption, the RTX 3080 10GB consumed as little as 235 W and as much as 259 W, but it consumed about 255 W of power on average. With the RTX 3080 12GB, the power consumption is expected to be higher than the 10GB version. It devoured as little as 245 W and as much as 284 W but consumed an average power of 270 W.
At 1440p, the average FPS on both GPUs is above 90, and the margin between the two is only about 3-4 FPS. Where the RTX 3080 10GB obtained an average of 94 FPS, the RTX 3080 12GB gained 97 FPS. The difference is not much; the same goes for the average 1% lows. The 10GB version remained at around 80 FPS, whereas the 12GB model stayed at 81 FPS.
As for the temperatures, we get a slight decrease on the RTX 3080 12GB. Even though the RTX 3080 12GB temperatures wavered from 59°C to 66°C, it largely operated at an average of 62.5°C. In contrast, the RTX 3080 10GB temperatures remained unchanged since it ran almost entirely at 69°C.
Considering the power consumption, the lower VRAM model of the RTX 3080’s power ranged from 245 W to 284 W, where it consumed 275 W of power on average. It is interesting to see this change since this was the power consumption of the 12GB model on 1080p. The 12GB model consumed a minimum of 253 W and a maximum of 303 W but consumed an average of 293 W of power.
On 4K, we see almost the same margin between the two cards when it comes to average FPS. This margin is usually of about 6-7 FPS, where both the values rise and fall simultaneously. The RTX 3080 10GB acquired an average of 71 FPS, whereas the 12GB version obtained about 78 FPS.
To compare with the 1% lows, the RTX 3080 10GB scored as low as 59 FPS. On the contrary, the RTX 3080 12GB had an all-time low of 65 FPS. Here, we see around a 20 FPS decrease in the 1% lows compared to the results noted on 1440p. Regardless, both GPUs scored the 1% low FPS above the 60 FPS mark on 4K, which truly makes a difference.
Strikingly, the RTX 3080 10GB temperatures were way higher than those tested on the previous resolutions; it functioned at around 74°C, with a few exceptions where the temperature dropped slightly to 72°C. However, the RTX 3080 12GB remained at similar temperatures since it operated at an average of 65°C.
Regarding power consumption, the RTX 3080 10GB’s power ranged from 273 W to 304 W, with an average of around 296 W. On the other hand, the RTX 3080 12GB began from 292 W and rose to 351 W while consuming an average of 339 W of power. Here, the 12GB model proved to be more power-hungry than the 10GB model.
God Of War
The next game that we will test is initially a PS4 title that is known for its ultra-high-definition graphics, where the developers meticulously place highly-rich details. Due to this amount of textures and details, God of War is listed as one of the titles that are heavily dependent on the GPU. However, a high-end CPU is also required for it to function properly.
It is expected that the FPS won’t be insanely high for such a GPU-intensive game. The RTX 3080 10GB showed quite a fluctuation in the average FPS as it ranged from 130 to 160 FPS. However, the average FPS obtained by the 10GB model was 140. As for the 12GB model, it obtained an average of 145 FPS and had consistent average FPS all around.
As for the 1% lows on the RTX 3080 10GB, the FPS stayed around 95 to 100 FPS and never went below the 95 FPS mark. On the contrary, the 12GB variant of the RTX 3080 revolved around 106 to 108 FPS, where it never dropped below 106 FPS.
Let’s not forget about one of the most crucial aspects, the temperatures. Starting with the RTX 3080 10GB, which obtained temperatures that revolved around 74°C. The values stayed consistent on both GPUs, irrespective of the changes in locations in the game. The RTX 3080 12GB was a few degrees cooler and performed at around 49°C.
Similar Comparisons: RTX 3080 Vs. RX 6800 XT
Lastly, we’re left with the power consumption of this game. The RTX 3080 10GB consumed an average power of 314 W throughout the gameplay, where the value rose to 319 W and plummeted to 306 W on a few occasions. The RTX 3080 12GB consumed a maximum of 392 W and a minimum of 376 W of power but mainly used 386 W.
At 1440p, the average FPS obtained by the RTX 3080 10GB had a huge margin compared to the results from 1080p. It obtained an average of about 110 FPS, which means it had a difference of 30 FPS when the resolutions changed. This difference is not only limited to different resolutions but also different GPUs. Therefore, the 12GB model obtained an average of 119 FPS.
To further understand the performance, let’s look at the 1% lows of both cards. The 1% low FPS on the RTX 3080 10GB never dropped below 80. In comparison, the RTX 3080 12GB obtained an average of 86 FPS compared to the lowest obtained FPS.
Compared to the temperatures at 1080p, the 1440p results are also very similar. The RTX 3080 10GB still functions at 74°C even at 1440p. Likewise, the RTX 3080 12GB also operates at 74°C. If we compare it with the temperatures on 1080p, it is slightly warmer than the 10GB model.
As for power consumption, the 10GB variant of the RTX 3080 utilizes around 317 W of power. The minimum power reached by this card is 313 W, and the maximum is around 322 W. On the contrary, the 12GB runs squeeze out around 398 W of power, reaching 404 W at times.
On 4K, the FPS is bound to drop from the other two resolutions. With that expectation in mind, the RTX 3080 10GB obtained an average of 70 FPS. The RTX 3080 12, on the other hand, obtained around 5 more FPS since it acquired an average of 75.5 FPS on this resolution. Both GPUs obtained a large difference of over 40 FPS when the resolution switched from 1440p to 4K.
Compare this with the 1% lows, and we get almost a 20 FPS decrease in the 10GB variant of the RTX 3080 if we compare it with the average FPS, as it obtained 55 FPS when it comes to the lowest FPS it gained. On the flip side, the 12GB version showed a 5 FPS increase from the RTX 3080 10GB by obtaining 60 FPS as its 1% low.
Regarding the temperatures, the RTX 3080 10GB performed at 76°C while the RTX 3080 12GB operated at 76°C. When we compare it with the two previous resolutions, we see an improvement in the temperatures of the 10GB model, whereas the 12GB model showed an increase in temperatures on 4K.
Concerning the power consumption, the 10GB version, like always, consumed relatively less power. It used an average of 317.5 W of power, which is slightly higher than at 1080p and slightly lower than at 1440p. On the contrary, the 12GB model consumed an average of around 405 W of power, and the values reached 415 W at some point.
This is higher than any game we tested above. To compare, the RTX 3080 12GB consumed more than 87 W of power than the 10GB variant. This goes to show how power-hungry the RTX 3080 12GB is despite its lower temperatures.
Far Cry 6
Our next RTX 3080 10GB vs. RTX 3080 12GB gaming benchmarks title is a fairly demanding game known to be poorly optimized. Despite using high-end textures and realistic visuals, this game is heavily CPU-intensive. Therefore, it is expected to perform similarly on both these Nvidia cards. However, it may show different results, so we should test it out.
Starting with the FPS gained by the RTX 3080 10GB, we see an average of about 142 FPS. When we compare it with the 12GB model of the RTX 3080, the results are somewhat similar as it lacked only 1-2 FPS. It obtained an average of 141 FPS. The 1% lows on the 10GB remain at about 95 FPS, but the lowest was recorded at 85 FPS. The same goes with the 12GB, but with a 1 FPS decrease, it obtained 86 FPS on the lowest side and 96 FPS on average.
For the temperatures, the RTX 3080 10GB displayed a steady rise as the temperatures began from 61°C and reached 67°C. This makes it perform at an average of 64°C, which is the lowest temperature recorded on 1080p on any game we tested above. The 12GB version circulated at around 64° to 65°C without any massive increase.
In terms of power consumption, the 10GB family member of the RTX 3080 utilized an average of 250.5 W of power, which rose to 266 W at times. On the other hand, the 12GB model consumed relatively less power than it did on every game tested on 1080p. It utilized an average of 271 W, which is only about a 20 W increase from the 10GB model.
On 1440p, the 10GB version of the RTX 3080 acquired an average of 123.5 FPS. In contrast, on the RTX 3080 12GB, the average FPS gained is 129.5 FPS. As for the 1% lows, the RTX 3080 10GB obtained the lowest of 68 FPS at times. However, about 80 FPS was obtained for the most part. The 12GB variant obtained more than 80 FPS, where the value dropped to 76 FPS a few times.
With this FPS, you may wonder about the temperatures that these GPUs operated on. The RTX 3080 10GB operated at an average of 62.5 C, which is impressive given the 123.5 FPS and 1965 Mhz frequency. As for the 12GB variant, an average of 68°C is reached while running at a frequency of 1980 Mhz.
The aspect of power consumption is always a mystery since every game consumes different power regardless of the FPS gained. For this, the RTX 3080 10GB consumed about 295 W of power, which reached 305 W at times. On the other hand, the RTX 3080 12GB consumed 30 W more power by consuming an average of around 330 W.
On 4K, the FPS margin among the two graphic cards is almost 5 FPS. Where the RTX 3080 10GB obtained an average of 77 FPS, the 12GB family member of the RTX 3080 exceeded 80 FPS by scoring an 82 average FPS. The 1% lows on the RTX 3080 10GB didn’t drop below 42 FPS. On the RTX 3080 12GB, 64 FPS was the frequently occurring value, but the lowest value recorded was 48 FPS.
The GPU frequency of the RTX 3080 10GB ranged from 1905 to 1920 to 1935 MHz, where these figures occurred the most and skipped the values in between. As for the RTX 3080 12GB clock, a stable 1980 Mhz was recorded, where the value plummeted to 1965 Mhz towards the end.
With these frequencies, the temperatures were fairly higher than the ones recorded on 1080p and 1440p. The RTX 3080 10GB operated at an average of 72°C, but the RTX 3080 12GB remained slightly cooler as it ran at around 70.5°C.
In terms of power consumption, the RTX 3080 10GB gobbled up about 314 W, higher than the previous resolutions. On the flip side, the power-hungry 12GB RTX 3080 consumed over 70 W more by devouring 386 W of power.
PUBG
Finally, the last title we will cover in our RTX 3080 10GB vs. RTX 3080 12GB guide is the first game on this list, primarily a competitive multiplayer shooter game. This battle royale is based on extensive maps, with detailed textures and vegetation that enables players to hide in the terrain. Sniping players from a large distance also requires players to have a greater render distance.
Therefore, all this puts more load on the CPU than on the GPU. Generally, multiplayer games, like PUBG, give players higher FPS than story-based single-player games since a higher FPS is required for a better and smoother gameplay experience considering the game’s competitive nature. Therefore, without a further-a-do, let’s get to the testing phase.
In terms of the FPS on 1080p, the RTX 3080 10GB received an average of 244 FPS, which began from 207 FPS and rose to a stable 244 FPS. Similarly, the RTX 3080 12GB gained around 241 FPS, with only a difference of about 3 FPS since both FPS on both cards fluctuated simultaneously.
As for the 1% lows, the lowest FPS recorded on the 10GB GPU was 390 FPS. However, the numbers gradually rose to 157 FPS, which remained very consistent throughout. Speaking of the 12GB card, we got the lowest of 132 FPS which then slowly climbed up to 155 FPS at the end of the test.
In terms of the temperatures, the RTX 3080 10GB yet again proves to be hotter than the 12GB model by running on an average of 72.5°C. Similar to the difference of the FPS among both the cards are about 2 FPS, the temperature difference is around 2°C as well, as the 12GB model operated at an average of 69.5°C.
Concerning the power consumption, the 10GB version can be seen consuming around 300 W of power with great fluctuations, where the peak was recorded at 317 W. For the 12GB variant of the RTX 3080, around 328 W of power was utilized on average, where the maximum value rose to 379 W.
On 1440p, the results obtained on both graphic cards are rather interesting. The RTX 3080 10GB acquired an average of 201 FPS, where the FPS was far more consistent with fewer oscillations in the figures. On the other hand, the RTX 3080 12GB surpassed our expectations. It showed an average of about 224.5 FPS, where the FPS climbed from 218 to 228 FPS, gaining over 20 FPS from the 10GB model.
To test these results with the 1% low FPS, we see that the 10GB member of the RTX 3080 family obtains 133 FPS in terms of the all-time low FPS. This FPS then gradually increased to 153 FPS. The 12GB RTX 3080 obtained a minimum of about 137 FPS, which then rose to around 153 stable FPS.
Also Read: RTX 4090 Vs RTX 3080 Ti
Considering the aspect of temperatures, we see a surprising twist unfolding. We know the 12GB variant performed significantly better than the 10GB version. However, the 12GB version prevailed in terms of the temperatures since both obtained almost the same temperature of 73°C, whereas the 10GB model was mostly stable. The 12GB model had only a 1°C change throughout.
As for the power consumption on 1440p, the RTX 3080 10GB ate an average of around 308 W of power, where the consumption was as low as 302 W and as high as 314 W. On the contrary, the power-hungry 12GB model of RTX 3080 devoured about 395 W of power, which makes for over an 85 W margin when the performance of the two GPUs is compared.
On 4K, the average FPS among the two cards weren’t as low as they were at 1080p and weren’t as high as they were at 1440p. The RTX 3080 10GB obtained an average of 115 FPS, whereas the RTX 3080 12GB acquired an average of around 125 FPS. The difference between the two GPUs is 10 FPS, where both the values were pretty much unwavering.
Regarding the 1% lows, the RTX 3080 10GB showed 96 FPS with respect to the all-time low FPS. However, the value rose up to 100 FPS at a consistent rate at the end of the test.
The 12GB model of the RTX 3080 started at 119 FPS, but the values reached a consistent 108 FPS at the very end, but the minimum value was noted at 105 FPS. The GPU frequency on the 10GB model was at 1755 to 1785 MHz, whereas it was running at 1875 Mhz on the 12GB model.
Regarding the temperatures, they were the highest recorded on the 10GB variant as It operated at around 75°C on 4K resolution. On the other hand, almost the lowest value was noted from the 12GB model’s side since it functions at only 70°C and still performs slightly better than the 10GB model in terms of FPS.
Strikingly, the RTX 3080 10GB showed an extremely stable power consumption. It consumed an average of 319 W of power without large fluctuations. On the flip side, the RTX 3080 12GB devoured an average of 394.5 W of power, where the values weren’t relatively consistent. This makes for a margin of over 75 W of power when the two cards are set up against one another.
Overall Gaming Performance
Since all the benchmark tests of our RTX 3080 10GB vs. RTX 3080 12GB guide are out of the way, it is time to conclude the results by comparing the two GPUs in their performance by portraying a graph that showcases each of its areas. This provides you with clarity as to which card is better in what field.
Average Framerates
Let’s start with the average frame rates obtained on both graphic cards. After thoroughly testing and analyzing all five games on all three resolutions, it is evident that the 12GB version of the RTX 3080 takes the lead.
The RTX 3080 12GB performs about 7% better than the 10GB version on 1440p. Finally, the gap shrinks again as we reach the last resolution. The average FPS difference between the RTX 3080 10GB and the RTX 3080 12GB is about 6 FPS. The RTX 3080 10GB performs similarly to the RTX 3080Ti 8GB according to RTX 3080 Vs. 3080 Ti Gaming Benchmarks.
Power Consumption
After taking note of the average FPS of both graphic cards, the next step is to review the power consumption of both cards to see what’s more ideal than the other. The results are obvious after the five games we tested but let’s put things into a graphical perspective.
Thermal Efficiency
Lastly, we go through one of the most crucial when considering a decent graphic card, the temperatures. Customers always prefer a high-performing GPU with lower temperatures. Therefore, let’s review the RTX 3080 10GB and the RTX 3080 12GB in terms of temperature.
RTX 3080 10GB Vs RTX 3080 12GB: Price And Availability
We can’t forget about the most crucial factor that determines any purchase, the price, and availability. Let’s start with the RTX 3080 10GB’s price since it was released two years before the 12GB variant. Since it had been slightly outdated, Nvidia has relaunched it in a V2 version. This does not come with any hash rate limiter, which only enhances the performance while mining for cryptocurrency.
Regardless, the RTX 3080 10GB was initially released with an MSRP of $699, which shot up significantly as time passed. Now, the cheapest card is going for a bit over $900 on amazon and is generally found in a tri-fan variant instead of a dual-fan version. You can find water-cooled models going for around $1,100 to $1,300.
As for its availability, it is widely available, and there are many options for you to choose from. You can opt for the RGB options or the cards with advanced cooling. That would, in turn, increase the overall price of the GPU.
On the other hand, the RTX 3080 12GB is slightly more costly than the 10GB variant in some cases. However, you can still get your hands around a brand new one from Zotac for as cheap as $900 from amazon. Meanwhile, the feature-laden GPUs cost over $1,200. The water-cooled variant goes for a bit over $1,500, and the radiant-mounted card goes for around $1,400.
This card’s availability is a slight issue since the market is bombarded with the 10GB variant of the RTX 3080Ti. Due to its being less available, you might face issues choosing from a wide variety of options, such as color and lighting.
Which One To Get RTX 3080 10GB Or RTX 3080 12GB?
After carefully going through many crucial factors, it is time to sum it all up and conclude which card should be considered over the other. Regarding the average FPS obtained, the RTX 3080 10GB is the best if you’re planning on playing at 1080p or 4K due to its similar performance to the 12GB version. On 1440p gaming, you may prefer the 12GB version over the 10GB one.
As for the temperatures, the RTX 3080 12GB proves to be slightly warmer than the 10GB variant at 1080p and 4K. On 1440p, however, it functions at the temperatures as the 10GB model. Nonetheless, the temperature difference isn’t too large to amount to any significant difference.
On the other hand, power consumption proves to be a distinguishing factor when considering any card. In this case, the RTX 3080 12GB is a power-consuming monster as it consumes over 10% more power on every resolution than the 10GB version. In terms of the price, both float around at almost the same price point, but the 12GB is slightly costly.
All things considered, the RTX 3080 10GB should be considered if you are opting for a water-cooled GPU as it is cheaper than the other. If you are on a tighter budget, the cheapest version of the RTX 3080 12GB would be the best option. However, if you have a bulky wallet, you can always go for the premium version of the RTX 3080 12GB.
FAQs
Many features are changed in the RTX 3080 12GB, such as higher RT cores, tensor cores, CUDA cores, memory bus, memory bandwidth, and TDP. These features aid in the improvement of the overall performance of the graphic card.
When we disregard the cheaper and the most expensive versions of the RTX 3080 12, it costs slightly more than the RTX 3080 10GB. However, with all of its features, the performance improvement is about 5-6%. Therefore, getting the RTX 3080 10GB is a better option if you are on a tight budget.
With the increased performance, the RTX 3080 12GB does fall on the extremely power-hungry side on all resolutions. Sometimes, it consumes more than its own 350 W of TDP.
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