GeForce RTX 3080 vs RTX 2080 Max-Q

VS

Aggregate performance score

We've compared GeForce RTX 2080 Max-Q with GeForce RTX 3080, including specs and performance data.

RTX 2080 Max-Q
2019
8 GB GDDR6, 80 Watt
36.07

RTX 3080 outperforms RTX 2080 Max-Q by an impressive 81% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

GPU architecture, market segment, value for money and other general parameters compared.

Place in the ranking13526
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluationno data46.31
Power efficiency30.9414.03
ArchitectureTuring (2018−2022)Ampere (2020−2024)
GPU code nameTU104BGA102
Market segmentLaptopDesktop
Release date29 January 2019 (5 years ago)1 September 2020 (4 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)no data$699

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance to price ratio. The higher, the better.

no data

Detailed specifications

General parameters such as number of shaders, GPU core base clock and boost clock speeds, manufacturing process, texturing and calculation speed. Note that power consumption of some graphics cards can well exceed their nominal TDP, especially when overclocked.

Pipelines / CUDA cores29448704
Core clock speed735 MHz1440 MHz
Boost clock speed1095 MHz1710 MHz
Number of transistors13,600 million28,300 million
Manufacturing process technology12 nm8 nm
Power consumption (TDP)80 Watt320 Watt
Texture fill rate201.5465.1
Floating-point processing power6.447 TFLOPS29.77 TFLOPS
ROPs6496
TMUs184272
Tensor Cores368272
Ray Tracing Cores4668

Form factor & compatibility

Information on compatibility with other computer components. Useful when choosing a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. For desktop graphics cards it's interface and bus (motherboard compatibility), additional power connectors (power supply compatibility).

Laptop sizelargeno data
InterfacePCIe 3.0 x16PCIe 4.0 x16
Lengthno data285 mm
Widthno data2-slot
Supplementary power connectorsno data1x 12-pin

VRAM capacity and type

Parameters of VRAM installed: its type, size, bus, clock and resulting bandwidth. Integrated GPUs have no dedicated video RAM and use a shared part of system RAM.

Memory typeGDDR6GDDR6X
Maximum RAM amount8 GB10 GB
Memory bus width256 Bit320 Bit
Memory clock speed1500 MHz1188 MHz
Memory bandwidth384.0 GB/s760.3 GB/s
Shared memory--

Connectivity and outputs

Types and number of video connectors present on the reviewed GPUs. As a rule, data in this section is precise only for desktop reference ones (so-called Founders Edition for NVIDIA chips). OEM manufacturers may change the number and type of output ports, while for notebook cards availability of certain video outputs ports depends on the laptop model rather than on the card itself.

Display ConnectorsNo outputs1x HDMI, 3x DisplayPort
HDMI-+
G-SYNC support+-

Supported technologies

Supported technological solutions. This information will prove useful if you need some particular technology for your purposes.

VR Ready+no data

API compatibility

List of supported 3D and general-purpose computing APIs, including their specific versions.

DirectX12 Ultimate (12_1)12 Ultimate (12_2)
Shader Model6.56.5
OpenGL4.64.6
OpenCL1.22.0
Vulkan1.2.1311.2
CUDA7.58.5

Synthetic benchmark performance

Non-gaming benchmark results comparison. The combined score is measured on a 0-100 point scale.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark score. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

RTX 2080 Max-Q 36.07
RTX 3080 65.44
+81.4%

  • Other tests
    • Passmark
    • 3DMark 11 Performance GPU
    • 3DMark Vantage Performance
    • 3DMark Fire Strike Graphics
    • 3DMark Cloud Gate GPU
    • 3DMark Ice Storm GPU

Passmark

This is the most ubiquitous GPU benchmark. It gives the graphics card a thorough evaluation under various types of load, providing four separate benchmarks for Direct3D versions 9, 10, 11 and 12 (the last being done in 4K resolution if possible), and few more tests engaging DirectCompute capabilities.

RTX 2080 Max-Q 13894
RTX 3080 25208
+81.4%

3DMark 11 Performance GPU

3DMark 11 is an obsolete DirectX 11 benchmark by Futuremark. It used four tests based on two scenes, one being few submarines exploring the submerged wreck of a sunken ship, the other is an abandoned temple deep in the jungle. All the tests are heavy with volumetric lighting and tessellation, and despite being done in 1280x720 resolution, are relatively taxing. Discontinued in January 2020, 3DMark 11 is now superseded by Time Spy.

RTX 2080 Max-Q 27973
RTX 3080 53713
+92%

3DMark Vantage Performance

3DMark Vantage is an outdated DirectX 10 benchmark using 1280x1024 screen resolution. It taxes the graphics card with two scenes, one depicting a girl escaping some militarized base located within a sea cave, the other displaying a space fleet attack on a defenseless planet. It was discontinued in April 2017, and Time Spy benchmark is now recommended to be used instead.

RTX 2080 Max-Q 51930
RTX 3080 91747
+76.7%

3DMark Fire Strike Graphics

Fire Strike is a DirectX 11 benchmark for gaming PCs. It features two separate tests displaying a fight between a humanoid and a fiery creature made of lava. Using 1920x1080 resolution, Fire Strike shows off some realistic graphics and is quite taxing on hardware.

RTX 2080 Max-Q 20703
RTX 3080 39257
+89.6%

3DMark Cloud Gate GPU

Cloud Gate is an outdated DirectX 11 feature level 10 benchmark that was used for home PCs and basic notebooks. It displays a few scenes of some weird space teleportation device launching spaceships into unknown, using fixed resolution of 1280x720. Just like Ice Storm benchmark, it has been discontinued in January 2020 and replaced by 3DMark Night Raid.

RTX 2080 Max-Q 117764
RTX 3080 188064
+59.7%

3DMark Ice Storm GPU

Ice Storm Graphics is an obsolete benchmark, part of 3DMark suite. Ice Storm was used to measure entry level laptops and Windows-based tablets performance. It utilizes DirectX 11 feature level 9 to display a battle between two space fleets near a frozen planet in 1280x720 resolution. Discontinued in January 2020, it is now superseded by 3DMark Night Raid.

RTX 2080 Max-Q 425550
RTX 3080 529548
+24.4%

Gaming performance

Let's see how good the compared graphics cards are for gaming. Particular gaming benchmark results are measured in FPS.

Average FPS across all PC games

Here are the average frames per second in a large set of popular games across different resolutions:

Full HD115
−45.2%
167
+45.2%
1440p85
−49.4%
127
+49.4%
4K46
−84.8%
85
+84.8%

Cost per frame, $

1080pno data4.19
1440pno data5.50
4Kno data8.22

FPS performance in popular games

  • Full HD
    Low Preset
  • Full HD
    Medium Preset
  • Full HD
    High Preset
  • Full HD
    Ultra Preset
  • Full HD
    Epic Preset
  • 1440p
    High Preset
  • 1440p
    Ultra Preset
  • 1440p
    Epic Preset
  • 4K
    High Preset
  • 4K
    Ultra Preset
  • 4K
    Epic Preset
Cyberpunk 2077 60−65
−103%
120−130
+103%
Assassin's Creed Odyssey 81
−66.7%
130−140
+66.7%
Assassin's Creed Valhalla 60−65
−79%
111
+79%
Battlefield 5 142
−47.2%
200−210
+47.2%
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 95
−22.1%
110−120
+22.1%
Cyberpunk 2077 60−65
−123%
138
+123%
Far Cry 5 117
+1.7%
110−120
−1.7%
Far Cry New Dawn 139
−14.4%
150−160
+14.4%
Forza Horizon 4 271
+16.3%
230−240
−16.3%
Hitman 3 75−80
−52.6%
116
+52.6%
Horizon Zero Dawn 150−160
−58.2%
240−250
+58.2%
Metro Exodus 137
−5.1%
144
+5.1%
Red Dead Redemption 2 95
−37.9%
131
+37.9%
Shadow of the Tomb Raider 174
−55.7%
270−280
+55.7%
Watch Dogs: Legion 120−130
−100%
248
+100%
Assassin's Creed Odyssey 75−80
−75.3%
130−140
+75.3%
Assassin's Creed Valhalla 60−65
−54.8%
96
+54.8%
Battlefield 5 130
−60.8%
200−210
+60.8%
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 92
−26.1%
110−120
+26.1%
Cyberpunk 2077 60−65
−116%
134
+116%
Far Cry 5 90
−27.8%
110−120
+27.8%
Far Cry New Dawn 102
−55.9%
150−160
+55.9%
Forza Horizon 4 223
−4.5%
230−240
+4.5%
Hitman 3 75−80
−55.3%
118
+55.3%
Horizon Zero Dawn 150−160
−58.2%
240−250
+58.2%
Metro Exodus 120
−20%
144
+20%
Red Dead Redemption 2 64
−87.5%
120−130
+87.5%
Shadow of the Tomb Raider 120−130
−153%
326
+153%
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt 75−80
−85.3%
130−140
+85.3%
Watch Dogs: Legion 120−130
−91.9%
238
+91.9%
Assassin's Creed Odyssey 56
−141%
130−140
+141%
Assassin's Creed Valhalla 60−65
−41.9%
88
+41.9%
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 71
−63.4%
110−120
+63.4%
Cyberpunk 2077 60−65
−111%
131
+111%
Far Cry 5 67
−71.6%
110−120
+71.6%
Forza Horizon 4 180−190
−27.3%
230−240
+27.3%
Hitman 3 75−80
−44.7%
110
+44.7%
Horizon Zero Dawn 150−160
−19%
182
+19%
Shadow of the Tomb Raider 120−130
−122%
287
+122%
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt 78
−91%
149
+91%
Watch Dogs: Legion 120−130
+22.8%
101
−22.8%
Red Dead Redemption 2 82
−59.8%
131
+59.8%
Battlefield 5 88
−71.6%
150−160
+71.6%
Far Cry New Dawn 69
−49.3%
100−110
+49.3%
Assassin's Creed Odyssey 47
−61.7%
75−80
+61.7%
Assassin's Creed Valhalla 35−40
−94.9%
76
+94.9%
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 40−45
−83.3%
75−80
+83.3%
Cyberpunk 2077 27−30
−219%
86
+219%
Far Cry 5 51
−51%
75−80
+51%
Forza Horizon 4 224
−21%
270−280
+21%
Hitman 3 45−50
−143%
112
+143%
Horizon Zero Dawn 75−80
−96.1%
151
+96.1%
Metro Exodus 65−70
−57.4%
107
+57.4%
Shadow of the Tomb Raider 85−90
−155%
219
+155%
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt 50−55
−127%
110−120
+127%
Watch Dogs: Legion 180−190
−35.7%
247
+35.7%
Red Dead Redemption 2 60−65
−110%
130
+110%
Battlefield 5 41
−92.7%
75−80
+92.7%
Far Cry New Dawn 40
−62.5%
65−70
+62.5%
Hitman 3 27−30
−96.6%
57
+96.6%
Horizon Zero Dawn 170−180
−30.2%
220−230
+30.2%
Metro Exodus 36
−294%
142
+294%
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt 53
−117%
115
+117%
Assassin's Creed Odyssey 31
−71%
50−55
+71%
Assassin's Creed Valhalla 21−24
−136%
52
+136%
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 21−24
−118%
45−50
+118%
Cyberpunk 2077 10−12
−291%
43
+291%
Far Cry 5 27
−70.4%
45−50
+70.4%
Forza Horizon 4 50−55
−116%
100−110
+116%
Shadow of the Tomb Raider 45−50
−181%
135
+181%
Watch Dogs: Legion 18−20
−200%
54
+200%
Red Dead Redemption 2 30−35
−197%
95
+197%

This is how RTX 2080 Max-Q and RTX 3080 compete in popular games:

  • RTX 3080 is 45% faster in 1080p
  • RTX 3080 is 49% faster in 1440p
  • RTX 3080 is 85% faster in 4K

Here's the range of performance differences observed across popular games:

  • in Watch Dogs: Legion, with 1080p resolution and the Ultra Preset, the RTX 2080 Max-Q is 23% faster.
  • in Metro Exodus, with 4K resolution and the High Preset, the RTX 3080 is 294% faster.

All in all, in popular games:

  • RTX 2080 Max-Q is ahead in 3 tests (4%)
  • RTX 3080 is ahead in 69 tests (96%)

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 36.07 65.44
Recency 29 January 2019 1 September 2020
Maximum RAM amount 8 GB 10 GB
Chip lithography 12 nm 8 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 80 Watt 320 Watt

RTX 2080 Max-Q has 300% lower power consumption.

RTX 3080, on the other hand, has a 81.4% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 1 year, a 25% higher maximum VRAM amount, and a 50% more advanced lithography process.

The GeForce RTX 3080 is our recommended choice as it beats the GeForce RTX 2080 Max-Q in performance tests.

Be aware that GeForce RTX 2080 Max-Q is a notebook card while GeForce RTX 3080 is a desktop one.


Should you still have questions concerning choice between the reviewed GPUs, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite graphics card.


NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Max-Q
GeForce RTX 2080 Max-Q
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080
GeForce RTX 3080

Comparisons with similar GPUs

We selected several comparisons of graphics cards with performance close to those reviewed, providing you with more options to consider.

Community ratings

Here you can see the user ratings of the compared graphics cards, as well as rate them yourself.


4.1
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4.2
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Questions & comments

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