RTX 2070 Super vs RTX 3080
When a maker splits one card into several versions, the job of picking falls to you. Here that means the RTX 2070 Super or the RTX 3080. Of the 3 areas we compared, the RTX 3080 wins 2. If one area explains the result, it’s gpu & performance. There’s also a launch price gap of $200 in favor of the RTX 2070 Super.
At a glance
- GPU & Performance RTX 3080 wins
- Memory RTX 3080 wins
- Power & Thermals RTX 2070 Super wins
- Price RTX 2070 Super wins
- GPU & Performance1.0
- Memory1.7
- Power & Thermals5.5
- GPU & Performance6.5
- Memory5.2
- Power & Thermals0.0
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The RTX 3080 has 227% more theoretical FP32 compute
The spread here is large: 29.8 TFLOPS on the RTX 3080 versus 9.1 TFLOPS on the RTX 2070 Super. Expect to notice it. Architectures use their compute differently, so treat the gap as a guide and look at game benchmarks for the details.
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The RTX 3080 has 240% more shader units
Of all the specs we compared, this is one where the RTX 3080 makes its strongest case: 8,704 against 2,560. Treat shader count as a strong hint about performance tier, then check benchmarks for the games you actually play.
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The RTX 2070 Super has 105 W lower board power
The RTX 2070 Super clearly leads on total board power, and 215 W versus 320 W is a difference that reaches well beyond the spec sheet. Lower board power means less heat, quieter cooling and a smaller impact on your electricity bill.
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The RTX 3080 has 70% more memory bandwidth
On memory bandwidth, the RTX 3080 posts 760 GB/s against 448 GB/s for the RTX 2070 Super, a gap big enough to feel in everyday use. Bandwidth needs vary by architecture, so compare it alongside VRAM and cache rather than on its own.
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The RTX 3080 has 2 GB more VRAM
Don’t expect a night-and-day difference here. 10 GB against 8 GB is a small but genuine lead for the RTX 3080. At high resolutions or with texture packs, running out of VRAM can hurt more than a small speed gap.
Design & Size
- RTX 2070 Super 10.51 in × 2 slots
- RTX 3080 11.22 in × 2 slots
Going by the official dimensions, the RTX 3080 is the larger of the two.
Size & Connectivity
| Spec | RTX 2070 Super | RTX 3080 |
|---|---|---|
| Reference card length | 10.51 in | 11.22 in |
| Slot width | 2 slots | 2 slots |
| Display outputs | N/A (not specified) | 3x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1x HDMI 2.1 |
GPU & Performance
RTX 3080 leads
The gpu & performance comparison is one-sided. The RTX 3080 leads where it counts. The RTX 3080 steps ahead thanks to 227% more theoretical FP32 compute. The RTX 3080 has more theoretical compute, which often, but not always, translates into higher frame rates. The RTX 2070 Super has the edge with. Bottom line for gpu & performance: the RTX 3080 has the edge.
FP32 compute
RTX 2070 Super: 9.1 TFLOPS RTX 3080: 29.8 TFLOPS FP32 compute is a theoretical peak that combines shader count and clock speed, a quick way to size up raw power.
Shader units
RTX 2070 Super: 2,560 RTX 3080: 8,704 The RTX 3080’s extra shaders give it more raw muscle, although comparisons across different architectures aren’t one-to-one.
Memory
RTX 3080 leads
In this area the RTX 3080 has a lead the RTX 2070 Super can’t close. The RTX 3080 adds 70% more memory bandwidth. The RTX 3080 has more bandwidth to work with, helping it hold up in memory-heavy games. Anyone shopping mainly on memory should start with the RTX 3080.
Memory bandwidth
RTX 2070 Super: 448 GB/s RTX 3080: 760 GB/s Memory bandwidth decides how quickly the GPU can feed itself with data, which matters most at 1440p and 4K.
VRAM
RTX 2070 Super: 8 GB RTX 3080: 10 GB Newer games tend to ask for more video memory, so the RTX 3080’s extra VRAM helps the card age better.
Features
The features comparison is about what’s inside rather than how much. See the table for the RTX 2070 Super’s and the RTX 3080’s entries.
Power & Thermals
RTX 2070 Super leads
Here the RTX 2070 Super opens up one of its biggest leads in the comparison. Choose the RTX 2070 Super and you get 105 W lower board power. The RTX 2070 Super draws less power, which makes it easier to cool in compact cases. Prioritize power & thermals, and the RTX 2070 Super is where you should land.
Total board power
RTX 2070 Super: 215 W RTX 3080: 320 W Higher board power often comes with higher performance, so the RTX 3080’s appetite may be part of the price of its speed.
Recommended PSU
RTX 2070 Super: 650 W RTX 3080: 750 W With the RTX 2070 Super, you’re more likely to keep your existing power supply, which can save real money.
Full Specifications
GPU & Performance
| Spec | RTX 2070 Super | RTX 3080 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Turing | Ampere |
| GPU die | TU104 | GA102 |
| Process | TSMC 12nm FFN | Samsung 8N |
| Shader units | 2,560 | 8,704 (winner) |
| Ray tracing units | 40 | 68 (winner) |
| Base clock | 1,605 MHz (winner) | 1,440 MHz Lowest base clock |
| Boost clock | 1,770 MHz (winner) | 1,710 MHz |
| FP32 computeTheoretical peak; AMD counts dual-issue, so compare within a brand only | 9.1 TFLOPS | 29.8 TFLOPS (winner) |
Memory
| Spec | RTX 2070 Super | RTX 3080 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM | 8 GB | 10 GB (winner) |
| Memory type | GDDR6 | GDDR6X |
| Memory bus | 256-bit | 320-bit (winner) |
| Memory bandwidth | 448 GB/s | 760 GB/s (winner) |
Features
| Spec | RTX 2070 Super | RTX 3080 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling | DLSS Super Resolution | DLSS Super Resolution |
| Frame generation | No DLSS Frame Generation | No DLSS Frame Generation |
| PCIe interface | PCIe 3.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x16 |
Power & Thermals
| Spec | RTX 2070 Super | RTX 3080 |
|---|---|---|
| Total board power | 215 W (winner) | 320 W Most power-hungry in class |
| Recommended PSU | 650 W (winner) | 750 W |
| Power connector | 1x 8-pin + 1x 6-pin | 1x 12-pin |
Size & Connectivity
| Spec | RTX 2070 Super | RTX 3080 |
|---|---|---|
| Reference card length | 10.51 in | 11.22 in |
| Slot width | 2 slots | 2 slots |
| Display outputs | N/A (not specified) | 3x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1x HDMI 2.1 |
Price
| Spec | RTX 2070 Super | RTX 3080 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price (MSRP) | $499 (winner) | $699 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
The RTX 2070 Super undercut the RTX 3080 by $200 at launch, which works out to 40%. If $200 isn’t a stretch, the RTX 3080 gives you 227% more theoretical FP32 compute and 240% more shader units.
Launch prices in the US as of September 2020; street prices move, so check before you buy.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the RTX 2070 Super if…
- you care about your power bill and a quieter case (215 W vs 320 W)
- you want to keep your current power supply (650 W vs 750 W recommended PSU)
- you care about clock speed under sustained load (1,605 MHz vs 1,440 MHz base)
- you want the higher boost clock (1,770 MHz vs 1,710 MHz)
- you’d put the $200 saving toward something else
Choose the RTX 3080 if…
- you want more theoretical compute (29.8 TFLOPS vs 9.1 TFLOPS)
- you want more raw GPU hardware (8,704 vs 2,560 shader units)
- you game at high resolutions where bandwidth matters (760 GB/s vs 448 GB/s)
- you play at high resolutions with high-quality textures (10 GB vs 8 GB VRAM)
- you find that the improvements in the RTX 3080 match what you need
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the RTX 2070 Super or the RTX 3080?
The RTX 3080 wins more of the areas we compared, so it’s the safer pick unless your top priority is 105 W lower board power.
Is the RTX 3080 worth it over the RTX 2070 Super?
It’s one of the more worthwhile generational jumps: the RTX 3080 offers 227% more theoretical FP32 compute, 240% more shader units and 70% more memory bandwidth compared with the RTX 2070 Super.
Is the RTX 2070 Super bigger than the RTX 3080?
It’s the RTX 3080 that is larger: 11.22 in, versus 10.51 in for the RTX 2070 Super.
Does the RTX 2070 Super perform better than the RTX 3080?
The RTX 3080 has the edge in performance thanks to 227% more theoretical FP32 compute and 240% more shader units.
Is the RTX 2070 Super cheaper than the RTX 3080?
Going by launch prices, the RTX 2070 Super costs $200 less than the RTX 3080. Prices as of September 2020; current offers may differ.
Executive Summary
Here’s my take on the RTX 2070 Super versus the RTX 3080, two models from one lineup. Start with the headline difference (the RTX 3080 has 227% more theoretical FP32 compute), and a lot of the decision falls into place. Another thing in the RTX 3080’s favor is 70% more memory bandwidth. Credit where it’s due: the RTX 2070 Super offers 105 W lower board power.
Think about your week. Heavy on power & thermals? The RTX 2070 Super. More about gpu & performance? The RTX 3080.
My pick: if it were my money, the RTX 3080, unless you’d trade the rest for 105 W lower board power.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.