NVIDIA’s RTX 3060 Ti vs. 3080 are exceptional GeForce 30 series mid-range and high-end graphics cards in this era. They are renowned worldwide for their reliability and impeccable performance, especially in the gaming industry. These two graphic cards support quality gaming at every resolution. Using them doesn’t dent your pocket because they are reasonably priced. If you want to upgrade your GPU, you can use any of these graphics cards.
Unfortunately, it is quite challenging for gamers to choose between the RTX 3080 vs. 3060 Ti since both options guarantee value for the user, and they have a track record for excellence in the tech market. However, if you want to choose the one that is perfect for you, you must first have adequate information about these graphics cards. In this article, we will explore the features, specs, and differences between the RTX 3060 Ti vs. RTX 3080. Read on for more information.
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NVIDIA RTX 3060 Ti vs. 3080: Side-By-Side Comparison
| RTX 3060 Ti | RTX 3080 | |
|---|---|---|
| Pixel Fillrate (Gigapixels/sec) | 133.2 | 164.2 |
| Texel Fillrate (Gigapixels/sec) | 253.1 | 465.1 |
| Bus | 256-Bit | 320-Bit |
| GPA | GA104 | GA102 |
| CUDA Cores | 4864 | 8704 |
| Tensor Cores | 152 | 272 |
| RT Cores | 38 | 68 |
| Stream Multiprocessors | 38 | 68 |
| Memory | 8GB GDDR6 | 10GB GDDR6X |
| Memory Speed | 14GT/s | 19GT/s |
| Memory Bandwidth | 448 GB/s | 760 GB/s |
| Clock Speed (Base/boost) | 1.41 GHz / 1.67 GHz | 1.44 GHz / 1.71 GHz |
| Power Connector | 1x 12-pin | 1x 12-pin |
| Power Consumption | 200 Watts | 320 Watts |
- 10GB GDDR6X
- 1740 MHz GPU clock speed
- Runs on Ampere, 2nd gen RTX architecture
- Display resolution 7680 x 4320
- DisplayPort x 3 (v1.4a) / HDMI 2.1 x 1 output
NVIDIA RTX 3060 Ti vs. 3080: What’s the Difference?
Both the NVIDIA RTX 3060 Ti and 3080 were launched in 2020. However, they do differ in several areas. The RTX 3060 Ti is a mid-range graphics card, suitable for most common gaming needs. It is popular among gamers due to its affordability. In contrast, the RTX 3080 is a high-end graphics card, preferred by users who need its higher number of CUDA cores for processing heavy-duty gaming applications. They also differ in the following areas:
Power Consumption
These GPUs require different power outputs to power their distinct features adequately. The RTX 3060 Ti, a mid-range card, only needs 200 Watts to function effectively. This means its power consumption is lower compared to the RTX 3080, a high-end card that requires 320 Watts. The 3080 performs more functions with its enhanced capabilities, hence the need for more power.
Quality
Head-to-head comparison between these graphics cards gives the 3080 an edge over the 3060 Ti in terms of value. The 3080 suits people interested in high-end cards with higher refresh rates and increased frame rates, irrespective of their screen’s resolution. The 3060 Ti doesn’t come close to the 3080’s performance because its capabilities are limited. It only performs better on 1080p. However, on 1440p and 4K resolutions, it has lower refresh rates and frame rates.
Price
The RTX 3080 is more expensive than the 3060 Ti. This card sells at $699, $300 more than 3060 Ti’s $399. Although the price seems high, remember these cards target diverse market segments. For instance, the 3080’s enhanced capabilities are perfect for heavy-duty gamers. These folks can pay any price as long as the card supports an incredible gaming experience.
Performance
The NVIDIA RTX 3080 and 3060 Ti cards work effectively at different resolutions. Your choice of the best graphics card should depend on your refresh rate, screen resolution, and any future plan for upgrading the GPU. Here is how they both perform at different resolutions:
1080p
If your monitor uses the 1080p resolution, you don’t have a problem choosing between RTX 3060 Ti or RTX 3080. Whatever choice you make will guarantee satisfactory results. At this resolution, the RTX 3060 Ti performs impeccably. It manages to maintain higher refresh rates and frame rates on maximum display settings.
Buying the RTX 3080 for 1080p monitors is not a good idea. The retail price of this graphics card is 75% higher than that of the RTX 3060 Ti, yet it won’t deliver the remarkable results you expect. The 1080p monitors will limit the card’s potential causing it to under-perform. However, if you intend to upgrade your monitor’s resolution, buy the RTX 3080 for better performance.
1440p
The RTX 3080 and RTX 3060 Ti have an exceptional record of working effectively at 1440p. Unlike at 1080p, the 3060 Ti doesn’t stand a chance to outperform the 3080 even with an older CPU. For heavy-user and gaming enthusiasts, the 3080 performs better than the 3060 Ti at 1440p. This resolution doesn’t bottleneck its potential because its frame rates will remain 40% higher than 3060 Ti in every condition.
On maximum 1440p settings, the RTX 3060 Ti can only provide 100fps on some games. However, in demanding games, it will drop to 60fps. The RTX 3080, in some games, can go beyond 120fps to 144fps. In demanding games, it won’t go below 100fps. Therefore, the 3080 is a better choice for gaming at 1440p as it is more flexible because it accommodates demanding games.
4K
At 4K resolution, you must choose the 3080 over the 3060 Ti for an amazing gaming experience. The RTX 3060 Ti will strive to arrive at playable frame rates for games running on maximum settings. On the other hand, the 3080 will operate seamlessly without any issues. The 3080 will attain 50% more frame rates at this resolution than the 3060 Ti on average. That significant difference puts the 3060 Ti below the 60fps mark.
The RTX 3080 will stabilize at 60fps on maximum settings in every game. It can surpass 60fps even in some demanding games if one or two settings are dropped. If the settings are dropped on the 3060 Ti, its frame rates will drop between 30-40 fps. In regards to this, the 3060 Ti cannot support quality 4K gaming.
Ray Tracing and DLSS
The RTX 3080 is the perfect card for ray tracing because its RT cores are almost double that of the 3060 Ti. However, the 3060 Ti can play ray tracing-enabled games at very low resolutions. At 1080p, it can get over 60fps, while at 1440p, it can attain 60fps with DLSS enabled. Without enabling the DLSS, it will reduce its fps to 30 and less in ray-traced games.
RTX 3080 at 1440p will stabilize at 60fps on ray-traced games. At 4K, it will effortlessly reach the playable frame rates even with an enabled DLSS. So, if you are gaming at 1440p and you value ray tracing, then the RTX 3080p is the best option.
How to Pick the Right Graphics Card: Step-By-Step
Although the RTX 3080 is a better option than the 3060 Ti, it might not be a favorable option for you. Remember, the main objective of these GPUs is to meet your needs. Sometimes the cost-effectiveness of the 3060 and its lesser capabilities might be exactly what you require now. To help you out, here are guidelines for choosing your suitable graphics card.
Your Favorite Games
The GPU will directly affect your gaming experience. Therefore, pick a graphics card suitable for your games to avoid disappointments and frustrations. For instance, if you like graphic-sensitive games, consider using the more powerful RTX 3080. Games like Tomb Raider, VR Games, Assassin’s Creed, and God of War are very demanding, and you cannot play them using the 3060 Ti. So, let your favorite games guide your graphics card choices.
The Resolution of Your Monitor
Besides the games, you must consider your monitor’s resolution too. If the monitor has a higher resolution, it will need more pixels on every frame, and that will put pressure on the GPU to work more. So, if you intend to play your games on a 4K monitor, it’s essential to buy a high-end graphics card like the RTX 3080. However, if you’re comfortable playing these games on a 1080p monitor, you can save money and still get the best experience with the 3060 Ti.
Compatibility
It’s important to ensure the GPU will function seamlessly with other components of your computer or laptop. To pick the right GPU, consider these two vital factors:
- Power Supply – The GPU is quite a power-hungry element in the system. Remember, the RTX 3080 uses more power than the 3060 Ti. Therefore, you should choose a graphics card that your power supply unit can easily support.
- Case Clearance – It is vital to check if your preferred graphics card can fit in your computer’s casing. Mostly, this problem emerges in computers or laptops with smaller form cases like the micro ATX cases or the mini-ITX cases. A GPU remains unhelpful unless it fits in your computer.
Bottlenecks and System Balance
The most common error people make when building their PC is over or under-spending on their graphics card compared to other PC elements. For example, they can pay $400 for GPU and $100 for the processor or vice versa. Buying a high-end graphics card for an outdated CPU won’t add any value to its performance. In fact, the PC will bottleneck the GPU’s potential. Therefore, before you purchase a high-end GPU, upgrade your PC first.
When Does Your Computer Need a GPU Upgrade?
Several factors might force you to upgrade your computer’s GPU. Most cards don’t perform optimally after four years. Therefore, they will require an urgent replacement when they start losing their edge. Sometimes, in-built GPUs limit the system from delivering the ultra-performance you need. So, you may have to consider upgrading your system using the RTX 3080 or 3060 Ti. Here are the advantages of upgrading your GPU.
- Improved gaming – When it comes to gaming, you will notice that every game has its own system requirements for it to run effectively. Upgrading the graphics card will assure you that your PC will run any game presented to it.
- Enhanced Video Performance – Upgrading the graphics card will improve your system’s ability to edit and play videos. This need is crucial, especially for people dealing with HD videos. Video editing tasks will be faster and easier with a GPU upgrade.
- Frees Up Memory – Some in-built GPUs have memory, while others rely on the computer’s storage. Installing the 3060 Ti or the 3080 will help the computers free up the memory used by the in-built graphics cards.
- Saving Costs – If you intend to utilize new technology, buying a new PC is a costly way of achieving that objective. Upgrading your older PC with a superior GPU will save you more money and still meet your needs for new technologies.
- Boosts frame rates with uncompromised image quality using the dedicated AI processing Tensor Cores on GeForce RTX
- Low latency
- Fast responsiveness
- AI acceleration
- Backed by the NVIDIA Studio platform of dedicated drivers and exclusive tools
NVIDIA RTX 3060 Ti vs. 3080: 10 Must-Know Facts
- Both NVIDIA RTX 3060 Ti vs. 3080 are proven cutting-edge graphics cards in the tech market.
- The RTX 3060 Ti and 3080 have advanced AI-enhanced voice and video features.
- The RTX 3080 suits people who are interested in high-end cards with higher refresh rates and increased frame rates, irrespective of their screen’s resolution.
- Both GPUs support the best gaming experience.
- These two GPUs have the most immersive and realistic graphics for gaming.
- The RTX 3060 Ti performs better on 1080p resolution than the powerful RTX 3080.
- These cards are built to support quality live streaming.
- Both NVIDIA RTX 3080 and 3060 Ti work effectively at different resolutions.
- The RTX 3060 Ti and 3080 have minimal system latency.
- Both the RTX 3080 and 3060 Ti use NVIDIA’s 2nd generation RTX architecture for an ultra-gaming performance.
NVIDIA RTX 3060 Ti vs. 3080: Which One Is Better?
NVIDIA’s RTX 3060 Ti and 3080 are excellent graphic cards with a great reputation in the tech market. Selecting the best option among the two is quite a challenge, and it requires extensive knowledge of both graphic cards. The 3060 Ti is a mid-range card for playing modern games at 1440p or 1080p. Its power consumption is very low and is therefore suitable for you if you are not a heavy gamer.
On the other hand, the RTX 3080 suits gamers that fancy demanding games at high refresh rates and maximum settings. It is also essential for ray-tracing-enabled games. If you consider the price-performance ratio and quality, the RTX 3080 is the best GPU overall.
- MSI Gaming GeForce RTX 3080 LHR 10GB GDRR6X 320-Bit HDMI/DP Nvlink Torx Fan 3 Ampere Architecture Graphics Card (RTX 3080 Ventus 3X Plus 10G OC LHR)
- 10GB GDDR6X
- 1740 MHz GPU clock speed
- Runs on Ampere, 2nd gen RTX architecture
- Display resolution 7680 x 4320
- DisplayPort x 3 (v1.4a) / HDMI 2.1 x 1 output
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti Founders Edition
- Boosts frame rates with uncompromised image quality using the dedicated AI processing Tensor Cores on GeForce RTX
- Low latency
- Fast responsiveness
- AI acceleration
- Backed by the NVIDIA Studio platform of dedicated drivers and exclusive tools
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