RTX 2080 Ti vs RTX 3080
The RTX 2080 Ti and the RTX 3080 are close relatives, and close relatives are exactly the ones that are hard to choose between. The spec sheets tilt toward the RTX 3080, which leads in 1 of 3 areas and opens its biggest gap on gpu & performance. That $300 launch price gap between the RTX 2080 Ti and the RTX 3080 will shape the verdict as much as any spec.
At a glance
- GPU & Performance RTX 3080 wins
- Memory Trade-off
- Power & Thermals RTX 2080 Ti wins
- Price RTX 3080 wins
- GPU & Performance1.6
- Memory3.9
- Power & Thermals6.0
- GPU & Performance4.6
- Memory4.0
- Power & Thermals2.4
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 122% more theoretical FP32 compute
The RTX 2080 Ti lists 13.4 TFLOPS; the RTX 3080 comes in at 29.8 TFLOPS. That’s not a rounding error. Architectures use their compute differently, so treat the gap as a guide and look at game benchmarks for the details.
-
The RTX 3080 has 100% more shader units
At 8,704 versus 4,352, this is a decisive lead for the RTX 3080, the kind of difference you notice without looking for it. Treat shader count as a strong hint about performance tier, then check benchmarks for the games you actually play.
-
The RTX 2080 Ti has 70 W lower board power
If total board power is one of your priorities, this settles it: the RTX 2080 Ti leads clearly with 250 W to the RTX 3080’s 320 W. Lower board power means less heat, quieter cooling and a smaller impact on your electricity bill.
-
The RTX 3080 has 23% more memory bandwidth
The numbers aren’t close. The RTX 3080 lists 760 GB/s for memory bandwidth, while the RTX 2080 Ti lists 616 GB/s. The RTX 3080 has more bandwidth to work with, helping it hold up in memory-heavy games.
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The RTX 2080 Ti has 1 GB more VRAM
You may not notice this one every day, but the RTX 2080 Ti’s 11 GB is a step ahead of the RTX 3080’s 10 GB. More VRAM lets the card hold higher-resolution textures and bigger scenes without stutter.
Design & Size
- RTX 2080 Ti 10.51 in × 2 slots
- RTX 3080 11.22 in × 2 slots
Size-wise, the RTX 3080 takes up more space, and the RTX 2080 Ti is easier to fit where room is tight.
Size & Connectivity
| Spec | RTX 2080 Ti | RTX 3080 |
|---|---|---|
| Reference card length | 10.51 in | 11.22 in |
| Slot width | 2 slots | 2 slots |
| Display outputs | 3x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1x HDMI 2.0b, 1x USB-C (VirtualLink) | 3x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1x HDMI 2.1 |
GPU & Performance
RTX 3080 leads
In the gpu & performance category, the RTX 3080 isn’t just ahead; it’s clearly ahead. The RTX 3080 delivers 122% more theoretical FP32 compute. FP32 compute is a theoretical peak that combines shader count and clock speed, a quick way to size up raw power. If gpu & performance is your priority, the RTX 3080 is the card to pick.
FP32 compute
RTX 2080 Ti: 13.4 TFLOPS RTX 3080: 29.8 TFLOPS The RTX 3080 has more theoretical compute, which often, but not always, translates into higher frame rates.
Shader units
RTX 2080 Ti: 4,352 RTX 3080: 8,704 Shader units do most of the heavy lifting in games, so more of them usually means more frames per second within the same architecture.
Memory
Trade-off
What you gain in one place you lose in another: 1 GB more VRAM with the RTX 2080 Ti, 23% more memory bandwidth with the RTX 3080. The memory verdict depends on you more than on the spec sheet.
Memory bandwidth
RTX 2080 Ti: 616 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 2080 Ti: 11 GB RTX 3080: 10 GB At high resolutions or with texture packs, running out of VRAM can hurt more than a small speed gap.
Features
On features, the useful details are the names in the table: what each one uses, not a figure we can rank.
Power & Thermals
RTX 2080 Ti leads
Look at the power & thermals table and one name keeps coming out on top: the RTX 2080 Ti. The RTX 2080 Ti gives you 70 W lower board power. The RTX 2080 Ti draws less power, which makes it easier to cool in compact cases. That makes the RTX 2080 Ti the natural choice for buyers focused on power & thermals.
Total board power
RTX 2080 Ti: 250 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 2080 Ti: 650 W RTX 3080: 750 W Recommendations include a safety margin for the rest of the system, so they’re a guide rather than a hard limit.
Full Specifications
GPU & Performance
| Spec | RTX 2080 Ti | RTX 3080 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Turing | Ampere |
| GPU die | TU102 | GA102 |
| Process | TSMC 12nm FFN | Samsung 8N |
| Shader units | 4,352 Fewest shader units | 8,704 (winner) |
| Ray tracing units | 68 Fewest ray tracing units | 68 |
| Base clock | 1,350 MHz Lowest base clock | 1,440 MHz (winner) Lowest base clock |
| Boost clock | 1,545 MHz Lowest boost clock | 1,710 MHz (winner) |
| FP32 computeTheoretical peak; AMD counts dual-issue, so compare within a brand only | 13.4 TFLOPS Least compute in class | 29.8 TFLOPS (winner) |
Memory
| Spec | RTX 2080 Ti | RTX 3080 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM | 11 GB (winner) Least VRAM in class | 10 GB |
| Memory type | GDDR6 | GDDR6X |
| Memory bus | 352-bit (winner) | 320-bit |
| Memory bandwidth | 616 GB/s Least memory bandwidth | 760 GB/s (winner) |
Features
| Spec | RTX 2080 Ti | 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 2080 Ti | RTX 3080 |
|---|---|---|
| Total board power | 250 W (winner) Lowest power draw in class | 320 W Most power-hungry in class |
| Recommended PSU | 650 W (winner) Smallest PSU requirement | 750 W |
| Power connector | 2x 8-pin | 1x 12-pin |
Size & Connectivity
| Spec | RTX 2080 Ti | RTX 3080 |
|---|---|---|
| Reference card length | 10.51 in | 11.22 in |
| Slot width | 2 slots | 2 slots |
| Display outputs | 3x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1x HDMI 2.0b, 1x USB-C (VirtualLink) | 3x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1x HDMI 2.1 |
Price
| Spec | RTX 2080 Ti | RTX 3080 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price (MSRP) | $999 | $699 (winner) |
“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
This is not a small price difference: $300, or 43%, separates the two launch prices. The RTX 3080 costs $300 less and still comes out ahead in more areas, a rare combination.
Based on US launch pricing as of September 2020. Deals and regional pricing can change the picture.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the RTX 2080 Ti if…
- you want lower power draw and less heat (250 W vs 320 W board power)
- you play at high resolutions with high-quality textures (11 GB vs 10 GB VRAM)
- you’re building on a modest power supply (650 W vs 750 W)
- you push high resolutions where memory width helps (352-bit vs 320-bit bus)
Choose the RTX 3080 if…
- you run compute-heavy work alongside gaming (29.8 TFLOPS vs 13.4 TFLOPS FP32)
- you want more raw GPU hardware (8,704 vs 4,352 shader units)
- you want more memory bandwidth (760 GB/s vs 616 GB/s)
- you care about peak clock speed (1,710 MHz vs 1,545 MHz boost)
- you’re working to a firm budget and $300 matters
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the RTX 2080 Ti or the RTX 3080?
The RTX 3080 wins more of the areas we compared, so it’s the safer pick unless you know that 70 W lower board power would make a real difference in your routine.
Is the RTX 3080 worth it over the RTX 2080 Ti?
It’s one of the more worthwhile generational jumps: the RTX 3080 offers 122% more theoretical FP32 compute, 100% more shader units and 23% more memory bandwidth compared with the RTX 2080 Ti.
Which is larger, the RTX 2080 Ti or the RTX 3080?
It’s the RTX 3080 that is larger: 11.22 in, versus 10.51 in for the RTX 2080 Ti.
Does the RTX 2080 Ti perform better than the RTX 3080?
Going by the specs, the RTX 3080 comes out ahead: it offers 122% more theoretical FP32 compute and 100% more shader units.
Is the RTX 2080 Ti cheaper than the RTX 3080?
Going by launch prices, the RTX 3080 costs $300 less than the RTX 2080 Ti. Prices as of September 2020; current offers may differ.
Executive Summary
The RTX 2080 Ti and the RTX 3080 share a family name, so let me focus on what doesn’t match. In daily life, I think the first difference you’d notice is 122% more theoretical FP32 compute, and that goes to the RTX 3080. The RTX 3080 also scores with 23% more memory bandwidth. I’ll admit the RTX 2080 Ti has a point with 70 W lower board power.
Your priorities do the choosing here: power & thermals points to the RTX 2080 Ti, gpu & performance to the RTX 3080.
My pick: the RTX 3080, with one exception: if you specifically want 70 W lower board power, where the RTX 2080 Ti has the edge, go for the RTX 2080 Ti.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.