RTX 3080 vs RTX 4070 Ti
The RTX 3080 and the RTX 4070 Ti are variations on one theme; the trick is working out which variation suits you. The data doesn’t leave much room for doubt: 2 of 3 areas go to the RTX 4070 Ti, and the gap is widest in gpu & performance.
At a glance
- GPU & Performance RTX 4070 Ti wins
- Memory RTX 3080 wins
- Power & Thermals RTX 4070 Ti wins
- Price RTX 3080 wins
- GPU & Performance6.4
- Memory5.1
- Power & Thermals0.0
- GPU & Performance7.5
- Memory3.6
- Power & Thermals2.3
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 4070 Ti has 35% more theoretical FP32 compute
This is one of the widest gaps in the whole comparison: 40.1 TFLOPS for the RTX 4070 Ti versus 29.8 TFLOPS for the RTX 3080. FP32 compute is a theoretical peak that combines shader count and clock speed, a quick way to size up raw power.
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The RTX 3080 has 51% more memory bandwidth
The RTX 4070 Ti lists 504 GB/s; the RTX 3080 comes in at 760 GB/s. That’s not a rounding error. Bandwidth needs vary by architecture, so compare it alongside VRAM and cache rather than on its own.
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The RTX 4070 Ti has 2 GB more VRAM
Close, but not identical: the RTX 4070 Ti lists 12 GB and the RTX 3080 lists 10 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 13% more shader units
The gap on shader units is slim (8,704 against 7,680), yet it tips toward the RTX 3080. 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 4070 Ti has 35 W lower board power
You may not notice this one every day, but the RTX 4070 Ti’s 285 W is a step ahead of the RTX 3080’s 320 W. Lower board power means less heat, quieter cooling and a smaller impact on your electricity bill.
Design & Size
Size & Connectivity
| Spec | RTX 3080 | RTX 4070 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Reference card length | 11.22 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Slot width | 2 slots | N/A (not specified) |
| Display outputs | 3x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1x HDMI 2.1 | N/A (not specified) |
GPU & Performance
RTX 4070 Ti leads
On gpu & performance, the gap between these two is wide, and it favors the RTX 4070 Ti. In its favor, the RTX 4070 Ti has 35% more theoretical FP32 compute. The RTX 4070 Ti has more theoretical compute, which often, but not always, translates into higher frame rates. Here the RTX 3080 offers 13% more shader units. If gpu & performance is your priority, the RTX 4070 Ti is the card to pick.
FP32 compute
RTX 3080: 29.8 TFLOPS RTX 4070 Ti: 40.1 TFLOPS Architectures use their compute differently, so treat the gap as a guide and look at game benchmarks for the details.
Shader units
RTX 3080: 8,704 RTX 4070 Ti: 7,680 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
RTX 3080 leads
The RTX 3080 wins the memory section decisively. The RTX 3080 delivers 51% more memory bandwidth. Memory bandwidth decides how quickly the GPU can feed itself with data, which matters most at 1440p and 4K. The RTX 4070 Ti brings 2 GB more VRAM. For memory, the RTX 3080 is the one to beat.
Memory bandwidth
RTX 3080: 760 GB/s RTX 4070 Ti: 504 GB/s The RTX 3080 has more bandwidth to work with, helping it hold up in memory-heavy games.
VRAM
RTX 3080: 10 GB RTX 4070 Ti: 12 GB More VRAM lets the card hold higher-resolution textures and bigger scenes without stutter.
Features
Nothing to tally in the features section, but plenty to read. The table lists what the RTX 3080 and the RTX 4070 Ti each use.
Power & Thermals
RTX 4070 Ti leads
The RTX 4070 Ti does a little better in the power & thermals section, though nothing here is a deal-breaker for the RTX 3080. The RTX 4070 Ti stands out with 35 W lower board power. The RTX 4070 Ti draws less power, which makes it easier to cool in compact cases. In short, the RTX 4070 Ti is the better-equipped card for power & thermals.
Total board power
RTX 3080: 320 W RTX 4070 Ti: 285 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 3080: 750 W RTX 4070 Ti: 700 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 3080 | RTX 4070 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Ampere | Ada Lovelace |
| GPU die | GA102 | AD104 |
| Process | Samsung 8N | TSMC 4N |
| Shader units | 8,704 (winner) | 7,680 |
| Ray tracing units | 68 (winner) | 60 |
| Base clock | 1,440 MHz Lowest base clock | 2,310 MHz (winner) |
| Boost clock | 1,710 MHz | 2,610 MHz (winner) |
| FP32 computeTheoretical peak; AMD counts dual-issue, so compare within a brand only | 29.8 TFLOPS | 40.1 TFLOPS (winner) |
Memory
| Spec | RTX 3080 | RTX 4070 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM | 10 GB | 12 GB (winner) |
| Memory type | GDDR6X | GDDR6X |
| Memory bus | 320-bit (winner) | 192-bit |
| Memory bandwidth | 760 GB/s (winner) | 504 GB/s |
Features
| Spec | RTX 3080 | RTX 4070 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling | DLSS Super Resolution | DLSS Super Resolution |
| Frame generation | No DLSS Frame Generation | DLSS Frame Generation (2x) |
| PCIe interface | PCIe 4.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x16 |
Power & Thermals
| Spec | RTX 3080 | RTX 4070 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Total board power | 320 W Most power-hungry in class | 285 W (winner) |
| Recommended PSU | 750 W | 700 W (winner) |
| Power connector | 1x 12-pin | N/A (not specified) |
Size & Connectivity
| Spec | RTX 3080 | RTX 4070 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Reference card length | 11.22 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Slot width | 2 slots | N/A (not specified) |
| Display outputs | 3x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1x HDMI 2.1 | N/A (not specified) |
Price
| Spec | RTX 3080 | RTX 4070 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price (MSRP) | $699 (winner) | $799 |
“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
At launch, the difference was a modest $100, with the RTX 3080 slightly more affordable. The RTX 4070 Ti justifies part of its $100 premium with 35% more theoretical FP32 compute and 2 GB more VRAM.
Based on US launch pricing as of January 2023. Deals and regional pricing can change the picture.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the RTX 3080 if…
- you want more memory bandwidth (760 GB/s vs 504 GB/s)
- you want more raw GPU hardware (8,704 vs 7,680 shader units)
- you push high resolutions where memory width helps (320-bit vs 192-bit bus)
- you want more dedicated ray tracing hardware (68 vs 60)
- you want more value for your money ($100 less at launch)
Choose the RTX 4070 Ti if…
- you run compute-heavy work alongside gaming (40.1 TFLOPS vs 29.8 TFLOPS FP32)
- you play at high resolutions with high-quality textures (12 GB vs 10 GB VRAM)
- you want lower power draw and less heat (285 W vs 320 W board power)
- you care about peak clock speed (2,610 MHz vs 1,710 MHz boost)
- you want the newer generation
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the RTX 3080 or the RTX 4070 Ti?
The RTX 4070 Ti wins more of the areas we compared, so it’s the safer pick unless you need 51% more memory bandwidth, which only the RTX 3080 offers.
Is the RTX 4070 Ti worth it over the RTX 3080?
It’s one of the more worthwhile generational jumps: the RTX 4070 Ti offers 35% more theoretical FP32 compute, 2 GB more VRAM and 35 W lower board power compared with the RTX 3080.
Does the RTX 3080 perform better than the RTX 4070 Ti?
The RTX 4070 Ti should be the quicker of the two, with 35% more theoretical FP32 compute and a 53% higher boost clock on its side.
Is the RTX 3080 cheaper than the RTX 4070 Ti?
Going by launch prices, the RTX 3080 costs $100 less than the RTX 4070 Ti. Prices as of January 2023; current offers may differ.
Executive Summary
Choosing between siblings is my favorite kind of puzzle. The RTX 3080 and the RTX 4070 Ti share a lot, so the details decide. Here’s what matters most to me: the RTX 4070 Ti offers 35% more theoretical FP32 compute. Plus, the RTX 4070 Ti gets 2 GB more VRAM, which I wouldn’t overlook. The RTX 3080’s strongest argument is 51% more memory bandwidth.
If memory is your thing, the RTX 3080 fits. If gpu & performance matters more, the RTX 4070 Ti makes more sense.
My pick: the RTX 4070 Ti gets my vote, but the RTX 3080 is the right call if you’d rather have 51% more memory bandwidth on the RTX 3080.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.