Home

 › 

Vs.

 › 

NVIDIA 1080-Ti vs 3060-Ti : Full Comparison and Specs

1080-Ti vs 3080

NVIDIA 1080-Ti vs 3060-Ti : Full Comparison and Specs

It’s time for a head-to-head evaluation between the 1080-Ti vs 3060-Ti. NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti and the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti have been available to purchase for several years. Both graphics cards benefit those looking to replace existing legacy (AKA older) graphics cards.

Neither graphic card is appropriate if you seek any kind of long-term “future-proofing.” These cards replace older cards on legacy systems but are not the best choice for a brand-new system build.

Let’s look at these two powerhouse graphic cards and see how they stack up.

1080-Ti vs 3060-Ti

NVIDIA 1080-Ti vs 3060-Ti: Side-by-Side Comparison

FeatureNVIDIA 1080-TiNVIDIA 3060-Ti
Production StatusEnd of LifeActive
ArchitecturePascalAmpere
CUDA Cores35844864
Manufacturing Process16nm 8nm
Core Clock Speed1481 MHz1410 MHz
Boost Clock Speed1582 MHz1665 MHz
Bus InterfacePCIe 3.0 x16PCIe 4.0 x16
Memory TypeGDDR5XGDDR6
Resolution7680 × 4320 @ 60Hz 7680 x 4320 @120Hz
Video Output ports4 total output ports(3x) DP1.4(1) HDMI 2.0b4 total output ports(3x) DP1.4a(1) HDMI 2.1
Head to Head comparison
Budget Option
EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Founders Edition
$699.00
  • Supports HDMI 2.0b
  • Real Boost Clock: 1582 MHz
  • Uses 16nm technology
  • Reached NVIDIA's end-of-life in 2020
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
03/12/2024 12:22 pm GMT

NVIDIA 1080-Ti vs 3060-Ti: What’s the Difference?

Release Date/Current Production Status

  • The NVIDIA 1080-Ti was released in 2017 and is now out of production. “Out of production” equates to higher prices due to reduced availability. Out-of-production also means software and gaming developers are no longer working on new products that will function correctly with this technology.
  • The NVIDIA 3060-Ti was released in 2020 and is still in production. The cards were prevalent in 2020/2021 due to their superior Ethereum mining performance. A worldwide silicon shortage spiked the prices.
  • Today, both cards are easily accessible and very affordable, but newer cards are available.

Architecture

  • NVIDIA 1080-Ti used the Pascal chip technology. Pascal (Codename for the Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)) is a 16nm FinFET chip with 7.2 billion 16nm transistors.
  • NVIDIA 3060-Ti uses the Ampere chip technology. The Ampere GPU has 54 billion 8nm transistors. More transistors are better and correlate to faster graphics processing speed.

The Pascal architecture has been retired. The Ampere architecture will soon be retired and replaced with the Hooper architecture. The Ampere or Pascal architecture is good; but outdated. As semiconductor chip technology continues evolving, so does the GPU marketplace.

The 3060-Ti is our clear favorite for chip design Architecture.

Best for Ray Tracing
ZOTAC GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
$519.00
  • NVIDIA Ampere architecture
  • Features 2nd Gen Ray Tracing Cores and 3rd Gen Tensor Cores
  • 1695 MHz boost clock speed
  • 8 GB 256-bit GDDR6 RAM
  • 8K ready
  • PCI-Express x16 interface
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
03/10/2024 03:52 pm GMT

CUDA Cores




Compute Unified Device Architecture (CUDA) is NVIDIA’s name for a dedicated Graphic Processing Unit. (AMD Chips call it Steam processors.) A CUDA core allows dedicated data parallel processing.


The 1080-Ti has 3583 CUDA Cores. The Cores are configured for multiple non-simultaneous operations. (FP32 or INT32 series processing.)


3060-Ti has 3584 CUDA Cores. The Cores are designed for multiple-simultaneous operations. (FP32 or INT32 parallel processing.)


Clock Speed


There isn’t a big delta between the performance of the two cards, but there is a difference.


Core Clock


The clock speed of each card lands them into the upper fifty percentile performance of all graphic cards.


The 1080-Ti is faster (1481 MHz) than the 3060-T (1410 MHz).


Boost Core Clock


If the GPU is running below the optimum processing speed, the GPU will automatically boost the processing speed.


The 3060-Ti (1665 MHz) is faster than the 1080-Ti (1582 MHz.)


Bus Interface 1080-Ti vs 3060-Ti


PCIe 3.0 x16 supports up to 1GB per second, per lane, on the 1080-Ti.


PCIe 4.0 x16 supports up to 2GB per second, per lane, on the 3060-Ti.


The Bus Interface of the 3060-Ti is faster (32G per second) than the 1080-Ti (16GB per second.)


The Bus Interface data transfer speed is a key performance indicator of GPUs.
The 3060-Ti bus is double the speed of the 1080-Ti.


Memory-VRAM 1080-Ti vs 3060-Ti


Both GPUs use VRAM. VRAM is the RAM that’s specifically used for graphics operations.


Greater VRAM numbers equate to faster data processing and better image quality.


Look at the two Graphics Double Data Rates (GDDR) used in the GPUs:


  • NVIDIA 1080-Ti
    • GDDR5X
    • 10-14GB data transfer per second.
    • 4GB, 6GB, 8GB, 12GB, and 16GB
    • 1.5v
    • 11GB

  • NVIDIA 3060-Ti
    • GDDR6
    • 14-16GB data transfer per second
    • 8GB or 16GB
    • 1.1v
    • 8GB

The GDDR6 consumes less power than the older GDDR5X. GDDR6 data processing (3060-Ti) is faster than GDDR5X (1080-Ti) speed.


Memory Bus Width


The 1080-Ti has a 352-bit Memory bus, and the 3060-Ti has a 256-bit bus. Each bit equates to a data processing path.  The 1080-Ti can process data through the bus faster because it has more data processing paths.


Error Correcting Code (ECC)


The 3060-Ti supports ECC, and the 1080-Ti doesn’t. ECC detects and rectifies data corruption on a server or with GPU-intensive scientific computation.


Ray Tracing


Improves lighting, water/window reflections, and shadows during gameplay.


The 3060-Ti supports Ray Tracing, and the 1080-Ti doesn’t.


Video Output Ports


DP1.4 vs DP 1.4a


The 3060-Ti has a more current version, 1.4a, than the 1080-Ti (1.4).  The difference is related to compression algorithms and color processing. This is a minor difference.


HDMI


  • HDMI 2.0b (1080-Ti)
    • Supports 120/144Hz refresh.
    • For lower resolution only output. The display resolution is limited to 1080p or 1440p.
  • HDMI 2.1 (3060-Ti)
    • 4k resolution@120Hz
    • 10k resolution@100/120 fps
    • Dolby Vision

The 3060-Ti has HDMI 2.1, so it’s a solid choice for future functionality as 4k devices become readily available. We’ve all hooked our computers to our TVs for a MASSIVE monitor for gameplay. You will only do this at 4K resolution with the 3060-Ti card.


Board Design


We find different board designs when we look at the 1080-Ti vs 3060-Ti. The 3060-Ti and the 1080-Ti have different hardware configurations. Be aware before you make a purchase. One size does not fit all.


Power Design


  • 1080-T Requires 225W power supply
    • 6-pin (one) 6-pin connector
      • 75 watts
    • 8-pin (one) 8-pin connector
      • 150 watts
  • 3060-Ti Requires 600W power supply
    • 12-pin (one) connector
      • 600 watts

Thermal Design Power (TDP)


Less is more!  The TDP quantifies the maximum power required for the heat from the GPU to dissipate.


  • 1080-Ti requires 250W
  • 3060-Ti requires 200W

Suggested power Supply (SPU)


  • 1080-Ti requires 600W
  • 3060-Ti requires 550W

We prefer the 3060-Ti’s lower power consumption. The 1080-Ti will need to run “harder” since it has fewer transistors and less optimized performance than the 3060-Ti. Running “harder” means higher power consumption for more extended periods. Higher power consumption for more prolonged periods equates to GPUs burning out quicker. Decreasing a GPU’s power consumption will extend their lives.


Price 1080-Ti vs 3060-Ti


There are several popular configurations available for the 1080-Ti. The designs target increased cooling functions. If you plan to purchase a 1080-Ti, we recommend the SC configurations.


1080-Ti Configurations1080-Ti Founder Edition
11G-P4-6393-KR
1080-Ti SC2
11G-P4-6593-KR
1080-Ti SC Black
11G-P4-6390-KR
ReleasedApril 2017March 2017April 2017
GPU Clock1480 MHz1556 MHz1560 MHz
GPU Boost Clock Rate1580 MHz15561670 MHz
Cooling fans122
Temp sensors191
iCX CoolingNoYesYes
Price$470.11$374.00$365.00
1080-Ti Pricing and configuration

The 3060-Ti has one primary configuration. Other configurations are available for the tech-savvy soul.


3060-Ti Configuration3060-Ti
ZT-A30610H-10MLHR
ReleasedDec 1st, 2020
GPU Clock1410 MHz
GPU Boost Clock Rate1665 MHz
Cooling fans2
IceStorm 2.0 Advanced Cooling, Active Fan ControlYes
Price$459
3060-Ti Pricing and configuration

Which is the better price, between the 1080-Ti vs 3060-Ti? The 3060-Ti is more expensive than the 1080-Ti. The higher technical performance of the 3060-Ti justifies the increased purchase price.


NVIDIA 1080-Ti vs 3060-Ti: Must-Know Facts


  • The 3060-Ti is several years newer than the 1080-Ti and performs better across various technical specifications.
  • The 1080-Ti reached NVIDIA’s end-of-life in 2020. Be aware that as new software is released at higher resolutions, the 1080-Ti will be less capable of handling the increased workload than the 3060-Ti. If you’re looking for any degree of ‘future-proofing” in your NVIDIA card purchase, this is not the card for you.
  • The 1080-Ti uses 16nm technology, and the 3060-Ti uses 8nm technology. 8nm node technology is quite functional on current display technologies and is a bit future-compatible. 16nm node technology (1080-Ti) is the technology of the past.
  • The 3060-Ti supports HDMI 2.1, and the 1080-Ti supports HDMI 2.0b. Consider future compatibility. Due to resolution limitations, HDMI 2.0b on the 1080-Ti is not the best step forward. The 3060-Ti has better performance with HDMI 2.1.
  • The 3060-Ti bus transfers data 2X faster than the 1080-Ti. Fast bus speed equals smoother gameplay, less motion blur, and fewer frozen frames. The 3060-Ti uses GDDR6 VRAM, and the 1080-Ti uses GDDR5X. The theoretical transfer speed is significantly faster on the GDDR6 3060-Ti.

NVIDIA 1080-Ti vs. NVIDIA 3060-Ti: Which One is Better? Which One Should You Choose?


After looking at the side-by-side results of our 1080-Ti vs 3060-Ti comparison, you should choose the 3060-Ti. The 3060-Ti is a newer card with more functionality than the 1080-Ti.


If you want to replace an older graphics card, we recommend the NVIDIA 3060-Ti. The 3060-Ti provides a little bit of future capability for resolution and gaming.


If you’re building a brand new system today (CPU, GPU, Motherboard, etc.), we don’t recommend either of these cads. There are more current cards available that will better suit your needs.


  1. EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Founders Edition
    $699.00
    • Supports HDMI 2.0b
    • Real Boost Clock: 1582 MHz
    • Uses 16nm technology
    • Reached NVIDIA's end-of-life in 2020
    Buy Now on Amazon

    We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

    03/12/2024 12:22 pm GMT
  2. ZOTAC GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
    $519.00
    • NVIDIA Ampere architecture
    • Features 2nd Gen Ray Tracing Cores and 3rd Gen Tensor Cores
    • 1695 MHz boost clock speed
    • 8 GB 256-bit GDDR6 RAM
    • 8K ready
    • PCI-Express x16 interface
    Buy Now on Amazon

    We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

    03/10/2024 03:52 pm GMT

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between the NVIDIA 1080-Ti and the NVIDIA 3060-Ti?

  1. The 1080-Ti was designed to use Pascal architecture, and the 3060-Ti was developed to use the Ampere architecture. Pascal architecture utilizes GDDR5X memory, and Amperhere utilizes GDDR6 memory. GDDR6 is superior.
  2. The 1080-Ti uses PCIe 3.0 x16, and the 3060-Ti uses PCIe 4.0 x16
  3. The 1080-Ti has a Memory Bandwidth of 320GB/s, and the 3060-Ti has 448GB/s.

Does either card support ray tracing?

The 3060-Ti supports real-time ray tracing. The 1080-Ti does not.

What is the suggested power supply?

  • The 1080-Ti requires a 600W power supply, and the 3060-Ti requires a 550W power supply.
  • The 1080-Ti requires two connectors (one six-pin and one eight-pin.) The 3060-Ti requires a single twelve-pin connector.
  • VERIFY that you have the required pin connectors before you buy a card.

Does either card support Error Code Correcting Memory (ECC)?

Yes, the 3060-Ti supports ECC.

What card should I purchase?

We recommend the 3060-Ti. It’s a budget-friendly graphics card choice that leaves a “little” room for growth. You have a few years before the technical specifications of new higher-resolution games outstrip the capability of the 3060-Ti.

To top