GeForce RTX 5090 vs RTX 3080 12 GB
Aggregate performance score
We've compared GeForce RTX 3080 12 GB and GeForce RTX 5090, covering specs and all relevant benchmarks.
RTX 5090 outperforms RTX 3080 12 GB by a considerable 45% based on our aggregate benchmark results.
Primary details
GPU architecture, market segment, value for money and other general parameters compared.
| Place in the ranking | 28 | 1 |
| Place by popularity | not in top-100 | 57 |
| Cost-effectiveness evaluation | 41.09 | 10.80 |
| Power efficiency | 13.57 | 11.96 |
| Architecture | Ampere (2020−2024) | Blackwell 2.0 (2025) |
| GPU code name | GA102 | GB202 |
| Market segment | Desktop | Desktop |
| Release date | 11 January 2022 (3 years ago) | 30 January 2025 (recently) |
| Launch price (MSRP) | $799 | $1,999 |
Cost-effectiveness evaluation
The higher the performance-to-price ratio, the better. We use the manufacturer's recommended prices for comparison.
RTX 3080 12 GB has 280% better value for money than RTX 5090.
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 cores | 8960 | 21760 |
| Core clock speed | 1260 MHz | 2017 MHz |
| Boost clock speed | 1710 MHz | 2407 MHz |
| Number of transistors | 28,300 million | 92,200 million |
| Manufacturing process technology | 8 nm | 5 nm |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 350 Watt | 575 Watt |
| Texture fill rate | 478.8 | 1,637 |
| Floating-point processing power | 30.64 TFLOPS | 104.8 TFLOPS |
| ROPs | 96 | 176 |
| TMUs | 280 | 680 |
| Tensor Cores | 280 | 680 |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 70 | 170 |
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).
| Interface | PCIe 4.0 x16 | PCIe 5.0 x16 |
| Length | 285 mm | 304 mm |
| Width | 2-slot | 2-slot |
| Supplementary power connectors | 1x 12-pin | 1x 16-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 type | GDDR6X | GDDR7 |
| Maximum RAM amount | 12 GB | 32 GB |
| Memory bus width | 384 Bit | 512 Bit |
| Memory clock speed | 1188 MHz | 1750 MHz |
| Memory bandwidth | 912.4 GB/s | 1.79 TB/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 Connectors | 1x HDMI 2.1, 3x DisplayPort 1.4a | 1x HDMI 2.1b, 3x DisplayPort 2.1b |
| HDMI | + | + |
API and SDK compatibility
List of supported 3D and general-purpose computing APIs, including their specific versions.
| DirectX | 12 Ultimate (12_2) | 12 Ultimate (12_2) |
| Shader Model | 6.6 | 6.8 |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| OpenCL | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| Vulkan | 1.3 | 1.4 |
| CUDA | 8.6 | 10.1 |
| DLSS | + | + |
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.
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.
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 HD | 182
−11.5%
| 203
+11.5%
|
| 1440p | 121
−53.7%
| 186
+53.7%
|
| 4K | 82
−80.5%
| 148
+80.5%
|
Cost per frame, $
| 1080p | 4.39
+124%
| 9.85
−124%
|
| 1440p | 6.60
+62.8%
| 10.75
−62.8%
|
| 4K | 9.74
+38.6%
| 13.51
−38.6%
|
- RTX 3080 12 GB has 124% lower cost per frame in 1080p
- RTX 3080 12 GB has 63% lower cost per frame in 1440p
- RTX 3080 12 GB has 39% lower cost per frame in 4K
FPS performance in popular games
Full HD
Low Preset
| Atomic Heart | 190−200
−26.8%
|
250−260
+26.8%
|
| Counter-Strike 2 | 160−170
−29.9%
|
210−220
+29.9%
|
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 160−170
−50%
|
240−250
+50%
|
Full HD
Medium Preset
| Atomic Heart | 248
−1.2%
|
250−260
+1.2%
|
| Battlefield 5 | 170−180
−13.9%
|
190−200
+13.9%
|
| Counter-Strike 2 | 179
−19%
|
210−220
+19%
|
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 160−170
−50%
|
240−250
+50%
|
| Far Cry 5 | 171
−26.9%
|
210−220
+26.9%
|
| Fortnite | 300−350
+0%
|
300−350
+0%
|
| Forza Horizon 4 | 250−260
−36.5%
|
300−350
+36.5%
|
| Forza Horizon 5 | 171
−46.8%
|
250−260
+46.8%
|
| PLAYERUNKNOWN'S BATTLEGROUNDS | 170−180
+0%
|
170−180
+0%
|
| Valorant | 350−400
−89.4%
|
650−700
+89.4%
|
Full HD
High Preset
| Atomic Heart | 145
−73.1%
|
250−260
+73.1%
|
| Battlefield 5 | 170−180
−13.9%
|
190−200
+13.9%
|
| Counter-Strike 2 | 154
−38.3%
|
210−220
+38.3%
|
| Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | 270−280
+0%
|
270−280
+0%
|
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 160−170
−50%
|
240−250
+50%
|
| Dota 2 | 176
−42%
|
250−260
+42%
|
| Far Cry 5 | 162
−34%
|
210−220
+34%
|
| Fortnite | 300−350
+0%
|
300−350
+0%
|
| Forza Horizon 4 | 250−260
−36.5%
|
300−350
+36.5%
|
| Forza Horizon 5 | 159
−57.9%
|
250−260
+57.9%
|
| Grand Theft Auto V | 155
−12.3%
|
170−180
+12.3%
|
| Metro Exodus | 147
+113%
|
69
−113%
|
| PLAYERUNKNOWN'S BATTLEGROUNDS | 170−180
+0%
|
170−180
+0%
|
| The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt | 321
−35.8%
|
400−450
+35.8%
|
| Valorant | 350−400
−89.4%
|
650−700
+89.4%
|
Full HD
Ultra Preset
| Battlefield 5 | 170−180
−13.9%
|
190−200
+13.9%
|
| Counter-Strike 2 | 140
−44.3%
|
202
+44.3%
|
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 160−170
−50%
|
240−250
+50%
|
| Dota 2 | 161
−42.9%
|
230−240
+42.9%
|
| Far Cry 5 | 151
−43.7%
|
210−220
+43.7%
|
| Forza Horizon 4 | 250−260
−36.5%
|
300−350
+36.5%
|
| PLAYERUNKNOWN'S BATTLEGROUNDS | 170−180
+0%
|
170−180
+0%
|
| The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt | 165
−112%
|
350
+112%
|
| Valorant | 350−400
−89.4%
|
650−700
+89.4%
|
Full HD
Epic Preset
| Fortnite | 300−350
+0%
|
300−350
+0%
|
1440p
High Preset
| Counter-Strike 2 | 60−65
−195%
|
183
+195%
|
| Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | 450−500
−5.7%
|
500−550
+5.7%
|
| Grand Theft Auto V | 130
−30%
|
160−170
+30%
|
| Metro Exodus | 98
−106%
|
202
+106%
|
| PLAYERUNKNOWN'S BATTLEGROUNDS | 170−180
+0%
|
170−180
+0%
|
| Valorant | 400−450
−11.8%
|
450−500
+11.8%
|
1440p
Ultra Preset
| Battlefield 5 | 160−170
−22.5%
|
190−200
+22.5%
|
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 90−95
−71.4%
|
150−160
+71.4%
|
| Far Cry 5 | 147
−40.8%
|
200−210
+40.8%
|
| Forza Horizon 4 | 210−220
−41%
|
300−350
+41%
|
| The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt | 150−160
−114%
|
321
+114%
|
1440p
Epic Preset
| Fortnite | 150−160
+0%
|
150−160
+0%
|
4K
High Preset
| Atomic Heart | 55−60
−117%
|
128
+117%
|
| Counter-Strike 2 | 40−45
−295%
|
174
+295%
|
| Grand Theft Auto V | 170
−10%
|
180−190
+10%
|
| Metro Exodus | 65
−157%
|
167
+157%
|
| The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt | 132
−186%
|
378
+186%
|
| Valorant | 300−350
−0.6%
|
300−350
+0.6%
|
4K
Ultra Preset
| Battlefield 5 | 110−120
−16.2%
|
130−140
+16.2%
|
| Counter-Strike 2 | 23
−139%
|
55
+139%
|
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 40−45
−77.3%
|
75−80
+77.3%
|
| Dota 2 | 156
−41%
|
220−230
+41%
|
| Far Cry 5 | 102
−66.7%
|
170−180
+66.7%
|
| Forza Horizon 4 | 160−170
−81.5%
|
300−350
+81.5%
|
| PLAYERUNKNOWN'S BATTLEGROUNDS | 95−100
+0%
|
95−100
+0%
|
4K
Epic Preset
| Fortnite | 75−80
+0%
|
75−80
+0%
|
This is how RTX 3080 12 GB and RTX 5090 compete in popular games:
- RTX 5090 is 12% faster in 1080p
- RTX 5090 is 54% faster in 1440p
- RTX 5090 is 80% faster in 4K
Here's the range of performance differences observed across popular games:
- in Metro Exodus, with 1080p resolution and the High Preset, the RTX 3080 12 GB is 113% faster.
- in Counter-Strike 2, with 4K resolution and the High Preset, the RTX 5090 is 295% faster.
All in all, in popular games:
- RTX 3080 12 GB is ahead in 1 test (2%)
- RTX 5090 is ahead in 49 tests (80%)
- there's a draw in 11 tests (18%)
Pros & cons summary
| Performance score | 69.09 | 100.00 |
| Recency | 11 January 2022 | 30 January 2025 |
| Maximum RAM amount | 12 GB | 32 GB |
| Chip lithography | 8 nm | 5 nm |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 350 Watt | 575 Watt |
RTX 3080 12 GB has 64.3% lower power consumption.
RTX 5090, on the other hand, has a 44.7% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 3 years, a 166.7% higher maximum VRAM amount, and a 60% more advanced lithography process.
The GeForce RTX 5090 is our recommended choice as it beats the GeForce RTX 3080 12 GB in performance tests.
Other comparisons
We selected several comparisons of graphics cards with performance close to those reviewed, providing you with more options to consider.
