NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 vs NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 12GB
The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 is the faster card by roughly 2%. Here is how the two compare across every spec that matters for gaming.
| Specification | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| Performance score | 53/100 | 52/100 |
| Tier | A | A |
| VRAM | 24 GB | 12 GB |
| Power draw (TDP) | 350 W | 350 W |
| Launch MSRP | $1499 | $799 |
| Performance per $100 | 3.5 | 6.5 |
| Release year | 2020 | 2022 |
| DLSS | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| FSR | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| XeSS | — No | — No |
| Ray tracing | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Which should you buy?
The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 is the stronger performer of the two, and it is the default choice if raw frame rate is what you care about. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 carries more VRAM (24GB vs 12GB), which matters at 1440p and above and for texture-heavy titles. On launch pricing, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 12GB offers better performance per dollar.