GeForce RTX 3060 12 GB vs GeForce RTX 5080
Comparison of specs, performance, and price. Which GPU is the better buy in 2026?
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 12 GB | GeForce RTX 5080 |
|---|---|---|
| Buy Online | Check Availability | |
| Steel Nomad Score | 2,300 | 8,762 |
| VRAM | 12GB GDDR6 | 16GB GDDR7 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 360 GB/s | 960 GB/s |
| TDP | 170 W | 360 W |
| Release Date | Feb 25th, 2021 | Jan 30th, 2026 |
Performance Verdict
GeForce RTX 5080 is 73.8% Faster
In the 3DMark Steel Nomad benchmark, the GeForce RTX 5080 scores 8,762, while the GeForce RTX 3060 12 GB scores 2,300.
Summary: The GeForce RTX 5080 offers superior raw performance, making it the better choice for demanding games and workloads. It also has more VRAM (16GB GDDR7), which is crucial for 4K gaming and AI. However, it consumes more power (360 W vs 170 W).
GeForce RTX 3060 12 GB
Pros
- ✓ Lower Power Consumption (170 W vs 360 W)
Cons
- ✕ Less VRAM (12GB GDDR6 vs 16GB GDDR7)
- ✕ Lower Memory Bandwidth (360 GB/s vs 960 GB/s)
GeForce RTX 5080
Pros
- ✓ More VRAM (16GB GDDR7 vs 12GB GDDR6)
- ✓ Higher Memory Bandwidth (960 GB/s vs 360 GB/s)
Cons
- ✕ Higher Power Consumption (360 W vs 170 W)