GeForce RTX 3060 12GB
Ampere · 12 GB GDDR6 · 170 W
GeForce RTX 2080
Turing · 8 GB GDDR6 · 215 W
Dead heat — it comes down to priorities.
In our weighted Specdex score, GeForce RTX 3060 12GB lands at 76 and GeForce RTX 2080 at 76. With scores tied, the decision hinges on which sub-scores matter most to you.
Pick GeForce RTX 3060 12GB if…
- ✓NVIDIA driver stack
- ✓DLSS support on RTX
- ✓Strong resale value
Pick GeForce RTX 2080 if…
- ✓NVIDIA driver stack
- ✓DLSS support on RTX
- ✓Strong resale value
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test4K & rasterization
TieTraditional rendering throughput at high resolution
Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.
Ray tracing
TieRT-heavy titles with path-traced lighting
Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.
AI workloads
TieLocal inference, upscaling, generative tools
Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.
Power efficiency
GeForce RTX 3060 12GBFrames per watt — heat, noise, and PSU sizing
GeForce RTX 3060 12GB leads on efficiency (72 vs 69).
Value for money
GeForce RTX 3060 12GBSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
GeForce RTX 3060 12GB more score per dollar ($329 vs $799).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | GeForce RTX 2080 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Ampere | Turing |
| VRAM | ▲ 12 GB GDDR6 | 8 GB GDDR6 |
| TBP | 170 W | 215 W |
| Release year | 2021 | 2018 |
GeForce RTX 3060 12GB
- +NVIDIA driver stack
- +DLSS support on RTX
- +Strong resale value
- −Power draw scales with tier
- −Gen-over-gen price creep
- −VRAM gated per tier
GeForce RTX 2080
- +NVIDIA driver stack
- +DLSS support on RTX
- +Strong resale value
- −Power draw scales with tier
- −Gen-over-gen price creep
- −VRAM gated per tier
FAQ: GeForce RTX 3060 12GB vs GeForce RTX 2080
Which is better, GeForce RTX 3060 12GB or GeForce RTX 2080? +
Both score 76 on our weighted rubric — tied. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is GeForce RTX 3060 12GB worth the price? +
At $329, GeForce RTX 3060 12GB delivers a Specdex score of 76 — strongest in raster.
Is GeForce RTX 2080 worth the price? +
At $799, GeForce RTX 2080 delivers a Specdex score of 76 — strongest in raster.
Does GeForce RTX 3060 12GB or GeForce RTX 2080 last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.
Which is better for power efficiency, GeForce RTX 3060 12GB or GeForce RTX 2080? +
GeForce RTX 3060 12GB — leads on efficiency (72 vs 69). Frames per watt — heat, noise, and PSU sizing.
Which is the better value, GeForce RTX 3060 12GB or GeForce RTX 2080? +
GeForce RTX 3060 12GB — more score per dollar ($329 vs $799). Specdex score per dollar at MSRP.