RTX 4060 Ti Vs RTX 3080: Worth Upgrading? [2023]

Nvidia seems locked into a cycle of releasing an excellent generation of GPUs followed by a controversial one. In the RTX 4060 Ti vs RTX 3080 comparison, I will show you the differences between the controversial RTX 4060 Ti and the excellent yet unachievable at launch, the RTX 3080.

Key Takeaways

• The RTX 4060 Ti averaged about 76 FPS throughout the eight games tested today, whereas the RTX 3080 was significantly ahead with 99 FPS on average.
• The Rtx 4060 Ti averaged around 130 watts of power consumption over eight games tested, while the Rtx 3080 consumed 299 Watts on average.
• The RTX 4060 Ti had an average temperature of about 56.7°C, while the RTX 3080 was 10 degrees higher on average, with a temperature of about 66.7°C.

RTX 4060 Ti Vs RTX 3080

Comparison Table

AI And Ray Tracing 

The key disparity in performance between these cards lies in their AI and Ray Tracing capabilities.

Also Read: RTX 4060 Ti vs RTX 3070 Ti

The RTX 4060 Ti comes with 3rd gen RT cores, while the RTX 3080 has 2nd gen RT cores. Though these are very capable, the 2nd gen RT cores are substantially weaker than the newer technology. The latest RT cores allow complete path tracing, creating more immersive lighting while playing games.

These newer cores also allow the 4060 Ti to have less of a performance hit when ray tracing is on. This graphics card matches the 3080’s RT performance with half the RT cores.

The second difference in these GPUs is the difference in software upscaling. Though the 3080 has double the tensor cores, it only supports DLSS 2. The RTX 4060 Ti, on the other hand, has support for DLSS 3.

Though DLSS 2 significantly uplifts performance while gaming, it cannot hold a candle to the increase in performance given by frame generation, included in DLSS 3.

Power Consumption

With its much smaller processing nodes, the RTX 4060 Ti beats the RTX 3080 in terms of power efficiency while having a 190-watt lower power target.

The difference in power consumption between these two graphics cards can warrant upgrading to a beefier power supply, adding to the cost of ownership for the RTX 3080.

Size 

The RTX 3080 is about 2 inches longer than the RTX 4060 Ti and is substantially broader and taller. All these factors increase the volume of the 3080 to the extent that you might have to get a new case before switching to this GPU, increasing the upgrade costs further.

If you are concerned about how your casing fits into your PX build, check out our article on what to consider when buying a PC case.

Also Check: RTX 3080 Vs RTX 3090

RTX 3080 Vs RTX 4060 Ti: Gaming Benchmarks

This section of the RTX 4060 Ti vs RTX 3080 comparison will highlight the differences between these two cards regarding real-world gaming performance. All of these tests have been done in a controlled environment on a test bench, the specifications of which are listed below:

• OS – Windows 11
• CPU – Core i5 13600K
• MOBO – ASUS ROG Strix Z790-E Gaming
• RAM – G.SKILL Trident Z5 RGB 32GB DDR5 6000MHz
• CPU Cooler – be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4
• GPU 1 – GeForce RTX 3080 10GB
• GPU 2 – GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 8GB
• SSD – 2xSAMSUNG 970 EVO M.2 2280 1TB
• PSU – CORSAIR RM850i 850W

Cyberpunk 2077 (High Settings, RT Ultra)

• In Cyberpunk 2077, the RTX 4060 Ti and the RTX 3080 delivered an acceptable performance with High settings and Ray Tracing set to Ultra. The RTX 3080 outperformed the RTX 4060 Ti, achieving an average of 63 FPS compared to the RTX 4060 Ti’s 48 FPS.
• Regarding 1% lows, the RTX 3080 maintained better frame rates during demanding moments, with 46 FPS compared to the RTX 4060 Ti’s 38 FPS.
• In terms of power consumption, the RTX 3080 drew a higher power of 288 watts, while the RTX 4060 Ti consumed 140 watts.
• Temperature-wise, the RTX 4060 Ti stayed relatively cool with a peak temperature of 55°C, while the RTX 3080 reached a higher temperature of 65°C during gameplay. 

God Of War (Ultra)

• When playing God of War at Ultra settings, the RTX 3080 delivered a higher average of 113 FPS, surpassing the RTX 4060 Ti’s average of 77 FPS.
• In terms of 1% lows, the RTX 3080 demonstrated superior performance with 88 FPS, outperforming the RTX 4060 Ti’s 60 FPS.
• The power consumption also varied significantly between the two cards, with the RTX 4060 Ti consuming 138 watts and the RTX 3080 drawing a higher 277 watts.
• Coming to temperatures, the RTX 4060 Ti maintained a cooler temperature of 56°C, while the RTX 3080 operated at hotter temperature of 71°C.

Also Read: RTX 2070 Vs RTX 3080

Forza Horizon 5 (Extreme, RT High)

• When playing Forza Horizon 5 with Extreme RT settings on High, the RTX 3080 delivered a higher average of 115 FPS, outperforming the RTX 4060 Ti’s average of 95 FPS.
• Coming to 1% lows, the RTX 3080 showcased better performance with 98 FPS, surpassing the RTX 4060 Ti’s 81 FPS.
• The power consumption was again greater on the higher-tier card, with the RTX 4060 Ti consuming 120 watts while the RTX 3080 drew a higher 307 watts.
• Regarding temperatures, the RTX 4060 Ti maintained a cooler temperature of 57°C, while the RTX 3080 operated at a slightly warmer 66°C. 

Red Dead Redemption 2 (High)

• When playing Red Dead Redemption 2 at High settings, the RTX 3080 delivered a higher average of 102 FPS, surpassing the RTX 4060 Ti’s average of 84 FPS.
• Switching gears to 1% lows, the RTX 3080 also showcased better performance with 78 FPS, outperforming the RTX 4060 Ti’s 67 FPS.
• The RTX 4060 Ti consumed 143 watts, while the RTX 3080 drew a higher 307 watts in this title.
• Regarding temperatures, the RTX 4060 Ti maintained a temperature of 59°C, while the RTX 3080 operated at a higher temperature of 66°C.

Similar Comparisons: RTX 2080 Vs RTX 3080

Hogwarts Legacy (Ultra, RT On)

• Delving into the enchanting world of Hogwarts Legacy with Ultra settings and RT enabled the RTX 3080 averaged about 56 FPS, while the RTX 4060 Ti trailed behind with a less magical average of 40 FPS.
• When inspecting the 1% lows, the RTX 3080 continued to hold its ground, conjuring up 48 FPS, surpassing the RTX 4060 Ti’s 33 FPS.
• The RTX 4060 Ti drew 120 watts, while the RTX 3080 demanded a more formidable 300 watts in Hogwarts Legacy.
• Coming to temperatures, the RTX 4060 Ti stayed relatively cool at 57°C. In comparison, the RTX 3080 was slightly warmer at 64°C.

Hitman 3 (Ultra)

• Stepping into the world of Hitman 3 at Ultra settings, the RTX 3080 took the lead with an average of 155 FPS, leaving the RTX 4060 Ti slightly behind with an average of 124 FPS.
• Examining the 1% lows, the RTX 3080 maintained its superiority, providing a minimum of 122 FPS, while the RTX 4060 Ti followed closely with 101 FPS, ensuring smooth gameplay even during intense moments.
• In terms of power consumption, the RTX 4060 Ti drew 141 watts, while the RTX 3080 demanded a higher power draw of 310 watts, reflecting its greater capabilities.
• As for temperatures, the RTX 4060 Ti operated at a cool 60°C. In comparison, the RTX 3080 reached a slightly higher temperature of 69°C, staying within acceptable ranges during intense missions in Hitman 3 at Ultra settings.

Spiderman Miles Morales (High, RT Very High)

• While playing Spiderman Miles Morales at high settings and very high ray tracing, the RTX 3080 delivered a higher average of 80 FPS, surpassing the RTX 4060 Ti’s average of 59 FPS.
• Looking at the 1% lows, the RTX 3080 maintained a minimum of 64 FPS, while the RTX 4060 Ti followed closely with 47 FPS, ensuring consistent performance even during demanding scenes.
• In terms of power consumption, the RTX 4060 Ti consumed 108 watts, while the RTX 3080 required a higher power draw of 295 watts.
• When it comes to temperatures, the RTX 4060 Ti operated at a cool 53°C, while the RTX 3080 reached a slightly higher temperature of 67°C.

Also Read: RTX 4070 Vs RTX 3080

Horizon Zero Dawn (Ultra)

• Embarking on the breathtaking world of Horizon Zero Dawn at ultra settings, the RTX 3080 delivered a high average of 107 FPS, outperforming the RTX 4060 Ti’s average of 82 FPS.
• When examining the 1% lows, the RTX 3080 demonstrated stronger consistency with 1% lows of 96 FPS, while the RTX 4060 Ti maintained a respectable 76 FPS during demanding moments.
• In terms of power consumption, the RTX 4060 Ti drew 133 watts, while the RTX 3080 required a higher power draw of 304 watts.
• The RTX 4060 Ti reached a peak temperature of 57°C, and the RTX 3080 maintained a slightly higher temperature of 66°C.

RTX 4060 Ti Vs RTX 3080: Overall Gaming Performance

In this section of the RTX 4060 Ti vs RTX 3080 comparison, I will discuss the results of the gaming benchmarks, specifically focusing on the metrics of framerate, temperature, and power consumption.

Framerate

Both graphics cards performed acceptably for the stress put on them. It was quite remarkable to see games running at a playable framerate with ray-tracing, on a 60 series of cards, albeit a Ti model.

As for the averages throughout the games tested, here are the results:

• The RTX 4060 Ti averaged about 76 FPS throughout the eight games tested today, whereas the RTX 3080 was significantly ahead with 99 FPS on average.
• 1% lows were also acceptable on both cards. The RTX 4060 Ti had 1% lows of 63 FPS, whereas the RTX 3080 had 1% lows of 80 FPS.

Power Consumption

• The Rtx 4060 Ti averaged around 130 watts of power consumption over eight games tested, while the Rtx 3080 consumed 299 Watts on average.
• The RTX 4060 Ti had a performance per watt of about 0.6 frames/watt, while the RTX 3080 had a performance per watt of around 0.3 frames/watt.

Also Check: RTX 3080 Vs RX 6800 XT

Though the performance of the RTX 3080 was much greater than the performance of the RTX 4060 Ti, the weaker graphics card had double the performance per watt. 

If you want to match your power supply to the power target of the rest of your computer, read our article on how many watts a gaming PC consumes.

Temperatures

• The RTX 4060 Ti had an average temperature of about 56.7°C, while the RTX 3080 was 10 degrees higher on average, with a temperature of about 66.7°C.
• Both of these graphics cards operated well within the safe margins of temperature.

Temperatures are very important to keep in check if you want your GPU to reach its maximum lifespan. If you want to learn about safe GPU idle temperatures, read our guide on the topic.

Also Read: RTX 3080 Vs 3080 Ti

Price And Availability

The MSRP of the RTX 4060 Ti is $399, whereas the RTX 3080 had a launch MSRP of $699.

If you are willing to buy used, you can find the RTX 3080 for around $450 on a used retail platform like eBay.

As for availability, both these cards should be available in your preferred retailer of choice, granted it has access to the newer stock of the RTX 4060 Ti coming in its doors.

If you want to learn the current market cost of your computer, check out our valuation guide.

RTX 3080 Vs RTX 4060 Ti: Which One Should You Go For?

After this detailed discussion about the differences and performance of both these cards, in this section of the RTX 4060 Ti vs RTX 3080 review, I will highlight the demographic for both these cards.

Throughout the tests, it has become evident that the RTX 3080 is the stronger card among the two. This card is a great deal if you decide to buy used. Despite its age, it has more raw performance and a larger VRAM, ensuring longevity for years to come.

The RTX 4060 Ti is no slouch, either. Despite its lower tier, this card competes well against higher-tier models, consuming half the wattage. With DLSS 3, it offers significant performance gains, making it a recommended choice for most users.

Pros And Cons 

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