NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 12GB vs NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 Laptop
These two cards score identically in our gaming index. The decision comes down to VRAM, power draw and price.
| Specification | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 12GB | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 Laptop |
|---|---|---|
| Performance score | 52/100 | 52/100 |
| Tier | A | A |
| VRAM | 12 GB | 16 GB |
| Power draw (TDP) | 350 W | 150 W |
| Launch MSRP | $799 | — |
| Performance per $100 | 6.5 | — |
| Release year | 2022 | 2025 |
| DLSS | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| FSR | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| XeSS | — No | — No |
| Ray tracing | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Which should you buy?
Performance is a tie, so the tie-breakers below decide it. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 Laptop carries more VRAM (16GB vs 12GB), which matters at 1440p and above and for texture-heavy titles. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 Laptop draws 200W less, so it is easier on your power supply and case cooling — check the PSU calculator before committing.