RTX 3070 Ti vs RTX 3080
It’s an in-house decision: the RTX 3070 Ti and the RTX 3080 are both part of the same lineup. By our tally, the RTX 3080 leads 2 of 3 areas. The gpu & performance section is where it pulls furthest ahead of the RTX 3070 Ti.
At a glance
- GPU & Performance RTX 3080 wins
- Memory RTX 3080 wins
- Power & Thermals RTX 3070 Ti wins
- Price RTX 3070 Ti wins
- GPU & Performance3.3
- Memory2.3
- Power & Thermals1.4
- GPU & Performance6.4
- Memory5.1
- 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 37% more theoretical FP32 compute
The spread here is large: 29.8 TFLOPS on the RTX 3080 versus 21.7 TFLOPS on the RTX 3070 Ti. Expect to notice it. The RTX 3080 has more theoretical compute, which often, but not always, translates into higher frame rates.
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The RTX 3080 has 42% more shader units
Of all the specs we compared, this is one where the RTX 3080 makes its strongest case: 8,704 against 6,144. The RTX 3080’s extra shaders give it more raw muscle, although comparisons across different architectures aren’t one-to-one.
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The RTX 3080 has 2 GB more VRAM
Small gaps can still matter over time, and here the RTX 3080 leads 10 GB to 8 GB. At high resolutions or with texture packs, running out of VRAM can hurt more than a small speed gap.
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The RTX 3080 has 25% more memory bandwidth
The RTX 3080 clearly leads on memory bandwidth, and 760 GB/s versus 608 GB/s is a difference that reaches well beyond the spec sheet. 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 42% more ray tracing units
On ray tracing units, the RTX 3080 posts 68 against 48 for the RTX 3070 Ti, a gap big enough to feel in everyday use. More ray tracing units help keep frame rates up when ray-traced lighting, shadows and reflections are switched on.
Design & Size
- RTX 3070 Ti 10.63 in × 2 slots
- RTX 3080 11.22 in × 2 slots
Side by side, the RTX 3080 is the one that fills more space; the RTX 3070 Ti keeps things tighter.
Size & Connectivity
| Spec | RTX 3070 Ti | RTX 3080 |
|---|---|---|
| Reference card length | 10.63 in | 11.22 in |
| Slot width | 2 slots | 2 slots |
| Display outputs | 3x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1x HDMI 2.1 | 3x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1x HDMI 2.1 |
GPU & Performance
RTX 3080 leads
No contest in gpu & performance: the RTX 3080 is the stronger of the two. The RTX 3080 makes its case with 37% more theoretical FP32 compute. Architectures use their compute differently, so treat the gap as a guide and look at game benchmarks for the details. The RTX 3070 Ti delivers. The gpu & performance verdict goes to the RTX 3080.
FP32 compute
RTX 3070 Ti: 21.7 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 3070 Ti: 6,144 RTX 3080: 8,704 Treat shader count as a strong hint about performance tier, then check benchmarks for the games you actually play.
Memory
RTX 3080 leads
This is one of the RTX 3080’s strongest areas. On memory, the RTX 3070 Ti falls well short. The RTX 3080 gives you 2 GB more VRAM. More VRAM lets the card hold higher-resolution textures and bigger scenes without stutter. In short, the RTX 3080 is the better-equipped card for memory.
VRAM
RTX 3070 Ti: 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.
Memory bandwidth
RTX 3070 Ti: 608 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.
Features
For features, the spec sheet lists components and formats rather than figures we can rank. The table shows what the RTX 3070 Ti and the RTX 3080 each bring.
Power & Thermals
RTX 3070 Ti leads
The RTX 3070 Ti edges the power & thermals section, though the RTX 3080 stays close. On the RTX 3070 Ti, you get 30 W lower board power. The RTX 3070 Ti draws less power, which makes it easier to cool in compact cases. For anyone who cares most about power & thermals, the RTX 3070 Ti is the safer choice.
Total board power
RTX 3070 Ti: 290 W RTX 3080: 320 W Lower board power means less heat, quieter cooling and a smaller impact on your electricity bill.
Full Specifications
GPU & Performance
| Spec | RTX 3070 Ti | RTX 3080 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Ampere | Ampere |
| GPU die | GA104 | GA102 |
| Process | Samsung 8N | Samsung 8N |
| Shader units | 6,144 | 8,704 (winner) |
| Ray tracing units | 48 | 68 (winner) |
| Base clock | 1,575 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 | 21.7 TFLOPS | 29.8 TFLOPS (winner) |
Memory
| Spec | RTX 3070 Ti | RTX 3080 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM | 8 GB | 10 GB (winner) |
| Memory type | GDDR6X | GDDR6X |
| Memory bus | 256-bit | 320-bit (winner) |
| Memory bandwidth | 608 GB/s | 760 GB/s (winner) |
Features
| Spec | RTX 3070 Ti | RTX 3080 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling | DLSS Super Resolution | DLSS Super Resolution |
| Frame generation | No DLSS Frame Generation | No DLSS Frame Generation |
| PCIe interface | PCIe 4.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x16 |
Power & Thermals
| Spec | RTX 3070 Ti | RTX 3080 |
|---|---|---|
| Total board power | 290 W (winner) | 320 W Most power-hungry in class |
| Recommended PSU | 750 W | 750 W |
| Power connector | 1x 12-pin | 1x 12-pin |
Size & Connectivity
| Spec | RTX 3070 Ti | RTX 3080 |
|---|---|---|
| Reference card length | 10.63 in | 11.22 in |
| Slot width | 2 slots | 2 slots |
| Display outputs | 3x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1x HDMI 2.1 | 3x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1x HDMI 2.1 |
Price
| Spec | RTX 3070 Ti | RTX 3080 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price (MSRP) | $599 (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
A price gap of $100 at launch won’t make or break this decision. The value question is simple: are 37% more theoretical FP32 compute and 42% more shader units worth $100 to you? If so, the RTX 3080 makes sense.
Based on US launch pricing as of June 2021. Deals and regional pricing can change the picture.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the RTX 3070 Ti if…
- you care about your power bill and a quieter case (290 W vs 320 W)
- you care about clock speed under sustained load (1,575 MHz vs 1,440 MHz base)
- you care about peak clock speed (1,770 MHz vs 1,710 MHz boost)
- you’re working to a firm budget and $100 matters
Choose the RTX 3080 if…
- you run compute-heavy work alongside gaming (29.8 TFLOPS vs 21.7 TFLOPS FP32)
- you want more raw GPU hardware (8,704 vs 6,144 shader units)
- you play at high resolutions with high-quality textures (10 GB vs 8 GB VRAM)
- you want more memory bandwidth (760 GB/s vs 608 GB/s)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the RTX 3070 Ti or the RTX 3080?
The RTX 3080 makes more sense overall. Consider the alternative only if having 30 W lower board power matters more to you than the rest.
Which is larger, the RTX 3070 Ti or the RTX 3080?
Going by the official dimensions, the RTX 3080 is the larger one: 11.22 in against the RTX 3070 Ti’s 10.63 in.
Does the RTX 3070 Ti perform better than the RTX 3080?
The RTX 3080 should be the quicker of the two, with 37% more theoretical FP32 compute and 42% more shader units on its side.
Which costs less, the RTX 3070 Ti or the RTX 3080?
At launch, the RTX 3070 Ti undercut the RTX 3080 by $100. These figures are as of June 2021, and street prices can change.
Executive Summary
Same family, different trade-offs: that’s how I read the RTX 3070 Ti and the RTX 3080. To me, the standout is that the RTX 3080 offers 37% more theoretical FP32 compute. Then there’s 2 GB more VRAM, another point for the RTX 3080. In fairness to the RTX 3070 Ti, 30 W lower board power is a genuine strength.
Choose by what you’d use most: power & thermals leads to the RTX 3070 Ti, gpu & performance leads to the RTX 3080.
My pick: the RTX 3080 is the one I’d buy, unless you specifically want 30 W lower board power, where the RTX 3070 Ti has the edge.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.