RTX 3080 Vs RTX 3090: Worth Upgrading? [Benchmarks]

In our previous comparison, we put the RTX 4080 against the RTX 4070 to learn about the performance differences between the two. However, in this next comparison, we will take a look at the previous generation and compare the performance of the RTX 3080 vs RTX 3090. This showdown aims to highlight the extent of the performance difference between these two GPUs.

Key Takeaways

• It’s worth highlighting that the RTX 3080 and RTX 3090 have a shared foundation, using the same Ampere architecture.
• Although the RTX 3080 is a high-performing graphics card, the RTX 3090 takes the lead by offering a significant FPS boost of 11.1% at 1440p and 11.9% at 2160p.
• In terms of power efficiency, the RTX 3080 takes the lead over the RTX 3090, drawing 17.7% less power at 1440p and 15.4% less at 2160p.
• With regards to thermal performance, the RTX 3080 outperforms the RTX 3090, generating less heat by 7.6% at 1440p and 8.2% at 2160p.

Comparison Table

Architectural Difference

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080

The GeForce RTX 3080, launched last year, is part of NVIDIA’s RTX 3000 series of GPUs. It features a base clock of 1440 MHz, a boost clock of 1710 MHz, and 10 GB of GDDR6X memory with a bandwidth of 760.3 GB/s. The RTX 3080 promises to deliver top-tier performance for gamers and content creators alike, making it a popular choice in the high-end GPU market.

Also Read: RTX 4080 Vs RTX 3090

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090

The GeForce RTX 3090 is a high-end graphics card that was released in 2020 as part of NVIDIA’s RTX 3000 series. It boasts impressive specifications, including a base clock of 2205 MHz, a boost clock of 2505 MHz, and 16 GB of GDDR6X memory with a bandwidth of 716.8 GB/s. Designed for extreme gaming, content creation, and AI development, the RTX 3090 is one of the most powerful graphics cards from the last generation.

RTX 3080 Vs RTX 3090: Gaming Benchmarks (1440p & 4K)

Having analyzed the specifications of the RTX 3080 and RTX 3090, it is now time to proceed with the next phase of the comparison. Our focus will now shift to assessing the gaming performance of these two GPUs using a range of contemporary games, employing thorough and exhaustive testing methods.

Testing Rig

Here are the specs of the testing rig:

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 7700X
• Motherboard: Asus ROG Strix X670E-a
• Memory: 32GB Corsair Vengeance DDR5 6000 CL36
• Storage Drive: Samsung 980 Pro
• CPU Cooler: Corsair H150i Elite
• Power Supply: Thermaltake 1650W Toughpower GF3
• Operating System: Windows 10

Our upcoming review will provide an in-depth comparison between the RTX 3080 and RTX 3090 GPUs, where we’ll be examining various aspects of their performance. We’ll analyze their average FPS, 1% lows, power consumption, and temperature at 1440p and 4K ultra settings.

Note: It’s essential to note that various external factors, such as temperature and background software, may influence the benchmark tests, affecting the final results. As a result, it’s important to consider the findings as close estimations rather than accurate metrics.

1440p

Now it’s time to delve into the gaming benchmarks for the RTX 3080 and RTX 3090 comparison, starting with a comparison of their performance at 1440p resolution.

Outriders

• In terms of average FPS, it’s apparent that the RTX 3090 outperforms the RTX 3080 by 13.1%, clocking in at an impressive 130 FPS versus 114 FPS.
• Furthermore, the RTX 3090 outperforms the RTX 3080 in 1% lows with a 19.6% difference, achieving 112 FPS compared to the latter’s 94 FPS.
• Additionally, the RTX 3090 has a higher power consumption of 422 W, which is 15% more than the RTX 3080’s 363 W.
• Switching gears to thermal performance, the RTX 3080 is the cooler option with an average temperature of 67°C, indicating a 5.7% or 4°C difference when compared to the RTX 3090’s temperature of 71°C.

Also Check: RTX 4070 Ti Vs RTX 3090

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (Ultra Settings)

• When analyzing average FPS, the RTX 3090 emerges as the clear winner, boasting a remarkable 86 FPS, an 11% improvement over the RTX 3080’s 77 FPS.
• Moreover, the RTX 3090 displays superior 1% lows compared to the RTX 3080, with an 11.9% lead and 71 FPS compared to 63 FPS.
• Furthermore, the RTX 3090 requires more power to operate than the RTX 3080, with a power consumption of 350 W, a 27.6% increase over the 3080’s 265 W.
• Moving on to the topic of thermal performance, the RTX 3080 outperforms the RTX 3090 with an average temperature of 62°C, which is 6°C or 9.2% lower than the latter’s recorded temperature of 68°C.

Dirt 5

• The RTX 3090 achieves an outstanding 122 FPS, an 11.2% increase over the RTX 3080’s 109 FPS when it comes to average FPS.
• Additionally, the RTX 3090 takes the lead over the RTX 3080 in 1% lows, with 12.5% more performance and 110 FPS versus 97 FPS.
• Moreover, the RTX 3090 has a higher power draw than the RTX 3080, consuming 420 W, which is 13.1% more than the 3080’s 368 W.
• As far as thermal performance is concerned, the RTX 3080 delivers a cooler gaming experience, with an average temperature of 66°C, which is 7.2% or 5°C lower than the RTX 3090’s temperature of 71°C.

Also Read: Nvidia RTX 4090 vs RTX 3090

Red Dead Redemption 2

• Comparing the average FPS, the RTX 3090 outshines the RTX 3080 with a remarkable 119 FPS, a 9.6% increase over the latter’s 108 FPS.
• In terms of 1% lows, the RTX 3090 showcases its superiority over the RTX 3080, boasting a 7.6% difference with 68 FPS compared to 63 FPS.
• In addition, there is a significant difference in power consumption between the RTX 3080 and RTX 3090, with the latter drawing 414 W, a 21.6% increase over the former’s 333 W.
• Shifting the focus to thermal performance, the RTX 3080 exhibits better cooling abilities with an average temperature of 64°C instead of 69°C, which is 5°C or 7.5% cooler than the RTX 3090.

Cyberpunk 2077

• It is evident that the RTX 3090 is the superior performer when looking at average FPS, with an impressive 84 FPS compared to the RTX 3080’s 76 FPS, a 10% improvement.
• Moving on to 1% lows, the RTX 3090 comes out on top with 5.7% more performance than the RTX 3080, reaching 71 FPS versus 67 FPS.
• In addition, the RTX 3090 consumes significantly more power than the RTX 3080, with a power consumption of 420 W, which is 16.2% higher than the latter’s 357 W.
• Regarding thermal performance, the RTX 3080 proves to be the more efficient option with an average temperature of 66°C, indicating a 7.2% or 5°C difference in comparison to the RTX 3090’s temperature of 71°C.

Also Read: RTX 3080 Vs RX 6900 XT

Days Gone

• In terms of average FPS, the RTX 3090 boasts a remarkable 142 FPS, representing an 11.1% improvement over the RTX 3080’s 127 FPS.
• Compared to the RTX 3080, the RTX 3090 boasts superior 1% lows with an impressive 25.4% difference, delivering 93 FPS as opposed to the 3080’s 72 FPS.
• In addition, the power consumption of the RTX 3090 is higher than that of the RTX 3080, drawing 418 W, which is a 15.1% increase compared to the 3080’s 359 W.
• Additionally, the RTX 3090 runs at a higher temperature, reaching an average of 71°C, which is 8.8% or 6°C higher than the RTX 3080’s cooler average temperature of 65°C.

4K

Since we are done with the 1440p benchmarks, now it’s time to move to the 2160p resolution in our RTX 3080 vs RTX 3090 duel.

Outriders

• The RTX 3090 outperforms the RTX 3080 in terms of average FPS, with a significant 12.9% improvement, achieving an impressive 74 FPS compared to 65 FPS.
• Additionally, the RTX 3090’s 1% lows outshine the RTX 3080’s, with a 20.6% lead and 64 FPS compared to 52 FPS.
• Also, the RTX 3090 consumes more power than the RTX 3080, with a power draw of 416 W, which is 14.1% more than the 3080’s 361 W.
• Furthermore, the RTX 3080 delivers a cooler gaming experience with an average temperature of 67°C, which is 5.7% or 5°C lower than the RTX 3090’s temperature of 71°C.

Similar Comparisons: RTX 3080 10GB Vs RTX 3080 12GB

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla

• With a decent 52 FPS compared to the RTX 3080’s 46 FPS, the RTX 3090 clearly surpasses it in terms of average FPS, with a 12.2% increase.
• Furthermore, the RTX 3090 outperforms the RTX 3080 in terms of 1% lows, with an 11.2% difference and 47 FPS versus 42 FPS.
• Moreover, the RTX 3090 consumes significantly more power than the RTX 3080, with a power consumption of 373 W, which is 20% higher than the latter’s 305 W.
• Additionally, the RTX 3080 boasts a cooler operation with an average temperature of 64°C, which is 8°C or 11.7% lower than the RTX 3090’s 72°C.

Dirt 5

• It’s clear that the RTX 3090 is the superior graphics card when it comes to average FPS, with an impressive 87 FPS compared to the RTX 3080’s 78 FPS, a 10.9% increase.
• When it comes to 1% lows, the RTX 3090 shows its dominance over the RTX 3080, with a 10% difference and 73 FPS compared to 66 FPS.
• Additionally, there is a notable difference in power consumption between the RTX 3090 and RTX 3080, with the former requiring 419 W, a 12.6% increase over the latter’s 369 W.
• Moreover, the RTX 3080 offers better cooling capabilities with an average temperature of 66°C, resulting in a 7.2% or 5°C difference compared to the RTX 3090’s temperature of 71°C.

Similar Comparisons: RTX 4070 Ti Vs RTX 3080

Red Dead Redemption 2

• The RTX 3090’s remarkable performance is evident in its 83 FPS average FPS, which is 10.1% higher than the RTX 3080’s 75 FPS.
• In addition, the RTX 3090 exhibits superior 1% lows compared to the RTX 3080, with a 6.1% lead and 67 FPS versus 63 FPS.
• Furthermore, the RTX 3090 draws more power than the RTX 3080, consuming 418 W, which is 16% more than the 3080’s 356 W.
• Moreover, going over thermal performance, the RTX 3080 takes the lead with an average temperature of 67°C, indicating an 8.5% difference in comparison to the RTX 3090’s temperature of 73°C.

Cyberpunk 2077

• When looking at the average FPS, the RTX 3090 demonstrates its superiority over the RTX 3080, achieving an impressive 51 FPS compared to 44 FPS, a 14.7% improvement.
• Moving on to 1% lows, the RTX 3090 proves to be the better performer, surpassing the RTX 3080 with a 12% difference and 44 FPS compared to 39 FPS.
• Moreover, the RTX 3090 has a higher power consumption than the RTX 3080, with a power draw of 412 W, which is 11.2% more than the 3080’s 368 W.
• Turning our attention to thermal performance, the RTX 3080 stands out with an average temperature of 67°C, which is 4°C or 7.1% cooler than the RTX 3090’s 72°C.

Also Read: RX 7900 XT Vs RTX 3080

Days Gone

• While the RTX 3080 manages an average FPS of 90, the RTX 3090 surpasses it with a remarkable 108 FPS, presenting a significant improvement of 18.1%.
• Additionally, in terms of 1% lows, the RTX 3090 outperforms the RTX 3080 with a significant 8.3% difference, producing 75 FPS versus the latter’s 69 FPS.
• Moreover, the RTX 3090 has a higher power draw than the RTX 3080, consuming 416 W, which is 11.7% more than the 3080’s 370 W.
• The RTX 3080 offers superior thermal performance with a cooler gaming experience, maintaining an average temperature of 66°C, which is 7.2% lower than the RTX 3090’s average temperature of 71°C.

Overall Gaming Performance 

After conducting an in-depth evaluation of the FPS benchmarks for both the RTX 3080 and RTX 3090 graphics cards, it’s apparent that one of them stands out as the clear champion. Our comprehensive analysis has left no doubt as to which one boasts superior performance.

Here’s what we found while benchmarking the two resolutions:

1440p

• While the RTX 3080 showcases commendable performance, it is notable that it lags behind the RTX 3090 in all tested games, be it FPS or 1% lows, showcasing a notable gap in the gaming experience.
• After conducting benchmark tests, the GeForce RTX 3090 outperforms the RTX 3080 with an average FPS of 113.8, while the latter lags behind with 101.8 FPS across all games tested.
• During the benchmark testing, the RTX 3080 was outperformed by the GeForce RTX 3090 with a significant margin of 11.1% in terms of FPS across all games.

Also Read: Radeon RX 6700 XT Vs GeForce RTX 3080

2160p

• Firstly, based on our benchmark analysis, it’s clear that the RTX 3090 outperforms the RTX 3080 in all tested games, with superior average FPS and 1% lows.
• Moreover, with regard to gaming benchmarks, it’s worth noting that the RTX 3090 outperforms the RTX 3080 by a significant margin, as evidenced by the average FPS of 71 versus 63 achieved by both graphics cards, respectively.
• Furthermore, using a significant lead of 11.9%, the GeForce RTX 3090 outperforms the RTX 3080 in terms of average FPS across all games.

Average Power Consumption

As power consumption plays a significant role in selecting a graphics card, we conducted an RTX 3080 vs RTX 3090 test to obtain the following results:

1440p

• According to the benchmark tests, the RTX 3090 draws significantly more power than the RTX 3080, with a consumption of 407.3 W, compared to the RTX 3080’s 340 W, resulting in a 17.7% difference in power efficiency.

2160p

• Compared to the GeForce RTX 3090, the RTX 3080 is more power-efficient, consuming an average of 345 W versus 402.6 W, making the RTX 3090 15.4% less efficient in power consumption.

Also Check: RX 5700 XT Vs RTX 3080

Average Thermal Statistics 

Upon conducting our benchmark tests, we examined the thermal statistics of the RTX 3080 and RTX 3090 as well, which resulted in an intriguing comparison.

1440p

• During the benchmark test, we observed that the RTX 3080 was 7.6% better in terms of temperature management compared to the RTX 3090, with an average temperature of 65°C and 70.1°C, respectively.

2160p

• According to our benchmark results, it was observed that the RTX 3090 tends to run hotter with an average temperature of 71.3°C, while the RTX 3080 maintained a significantly cooler temperature of 65.6°C, indicating a difference of 8.2%.

Pricing And Availability

When considering the pricing and availability of the RTX 3080 and RTX 3090, it’s evident that there’s a significant difference between the two. While the RTX 3080 has an MSRP of $699, the RTX 3090 comes at a much higher price of $1199.

However, it’s essential to note that the cost can vary based on the variant and model, with some brands offering premium versions that may cost more. Despite this, the RTX 3080 is still around 52.6% cheaper than the RTX 3090, making it a more budget-friendly option.

RTX 3080 Vs RTX 3090: Which One Should You Go For?

Despite the RTX 3090 offering a significant boost in FPS performance (11.1% at 1440p and 11.9% at 4K), it comes at a much higher price point than the RTX 3080. However, the RTX 3080 still holds its ground as a more affordable option, costing almost 52.6% less than the RTX 3090.

Also Read: RTX 3080 Vs 3080 Ti

Additionally, the RTX 3080 is more energy-efficient (17.7% at 1440p and 15.4% at 4K) and produces less heat (7.6% at 1440p and 8.2% at 4K) than the RTX 3090, making it a better choice for gamers looking to optimize their power consumption and thermal efficiency.

Therefore, to make an informed decision between the RTX 3080 and RTX 3090, users should consider their specific needs. While the RTX 3090 offers remarkable performance, the more affordable RTX 3080 is also an excellent option that does not compromise on thermal efficiency and power consumption.

In any case, we hope that you enjoyed reading our RTX 3080 vs RTX 3090 comparison. 

Pros And Cons

GPU	Pros	Cons
GeForce RTX 3080	Affordable compared to RTX 2080 Ti. Supports 2nd generation hardware accelerated RayTracing and improved DLSS.	Gets noisy when under load. 10GB VRAM may not suffice for long-term 4K usage.
GeForce RTX 3090	Impressive gaming performance. Nvidia CUDA and OptiX enhance content creation.	The RTX 3080 offers comparable performance. High price point.

FAQs

How big of a price difference is between RTX 3080 and RTX 3090

According to the MSRP, the 3080 is priced at $699, while the RTX 3090 comes with a price tag of $1199, leading to a difference of 52.6%.

Which is better, the RTX 3080 or the RTX 3090?

The RTX 3090 offers more FPS at a higher price point, while the RTX 3080 is more energy-efficient and produces less heat.

Which card is better at 4K gaming between the RTX 3080 and RTX 3090?

According to our benchmarking, the RTX 3090 offers a 15.4% boost in FPS performance at 4K compared to the RTX 3080.

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