The RTX 4060 is an entry-level GPU in the latest lineup from Nvidia, which is built on the Ada Lovelace Architecture. On the other hand, the RTX 3080 is a high-end card from the previous-gen lineup, which utilizes the Ampere architecture. But should you opt for a budget GPU from the latest lineup? Or should you instead get a high-end card that is around four years ago?
To help make your decision that bit easier, we’ve put together this detailed comparison that dives deep into the specs, performance, and overall value of the RTX 4060 and the RTX 3080. We’ve reviewed both cards to get an idea about their real-life performance, so we’re in a good position to compare the two.
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Quick answer
To put it simply, which one you go for depends on your needs and budget. The RTX 4060 is great in 1080p, and as a budget-friendly card it’s one of the cheapest ways to get Ada architecture and DLSS 3 frame generation. However, despite being over three years old, the RTX 3080 is still considered one of the best 4K cards in terms of price to performance value, and is potentially going to continue getting more affordable: unfortunately, it’s still found priced around $600, which is a lot more than the $299 asking price of the 4060.
RTX 4060 vs RTX 3080 specs and performance
Here’s a specs comparison table of the RTX 4060 vs 3080, which showcases the unique features of each card:
Feature | RTX 4060 | RTX 3080 |
GPU Cores | 3072 | 8704 |
Texture Mapping Units (TMUs) | 96 | 272 |
ROPs | 32 | 80 |
Base Clock | 1395 MHz | 1440 MHz |
Boost Clock | 1695 MHz | 1710 MHz |
Memory | 8 GB GDDR6 | 10 GB GDDR6X |
Memory Speed | 14 Gbps | 19 Gbps |
Memory Interface | 256-bit | 320-bit |
Power Consumption | 170 W | 320 W |
TDP | 170 W | 320 W |
As you can probably tell, the difference in the price of the two cards is also reflected in the difference in their specs. The RTX 3080 is somewhat of a beast, with 8704 GPU cores, a boost clock of 1710 MHz, 10 GB VRAM, and a 320-bit memory interface. What this creates is a GPU that excels in high FPS 4K gaming. In all its specs aspects, the 3080 outperforms the 4060: unfortunately, this does not include power consumption. With a TDP of a massive 320W, a setup that’s built to push the 3080 to its limits needs to consider the best cases for the RTX 3080 to optimize cooling potential. We also recommend using one of the best power supplies for gaming to avoid any power-related issues.
Next, let’s investigate the RTX 4060 specs-wise. As an entry-level GPU, the 4060 is one of the weakest of the current-generation Ada graphics card lineup, but altogether, it makes a decent unit for 1080p gameplay on a budget. It features 3072 GPU cores, a boost clock of 1695 Mhz, 8 GB VRAM, and a 256-bit memory interface. Its cutting-edge architecture and optimized processing cores provide a level of efficiency that rivals the 3080, with a power consumption of just 170W.
RTX 4060 vs RTX 3080 performance showdown
As expected from both its specs and its reputation, our own benchmarking tests of the RTX 4060 conducted by WePC’s Sebastian Kozlowski show the card largely archives its goal of providing 1080p frame rates of 60fps and above. Even demanding games, such as Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Cyberpunk 2077, and Far Cry 6 didn’t create any problems for the 4060, even when played at ultra settings.
While the performance is a bit more varied for 1440p gaming, you still get great results from titles such as Rainbow Six Seige at 241 FPS, and CS:GO at 299 FPS. It’s worth noting that these benchmarks don’t include DLSS or ray tracing, and the addition of these features might make your results even more varied.
On the other hand, the RTX 3080 also performed well in our tests. In games like Far Cry 6 and Shadow of the Tomb Raider, it showed no signs of poor performance. Our comparison table below can help you get an idea about the performance difference between the two. Keep in mind that we played every game with the graphical settings set to Ultra or Max.
Game | RTX 4060 | RTX 3080 |
---|---|---|
CS:GO (1080p) | 493 | 347 |
CS:GO (1440p) | 299 | 344 |
Rainbow Six Siege (1080p) | 392 | 408 |
Rainbow Six Siege (1440p) | 241 | 365 |
Far Cry 6 (1080p) | 124 | 89 |
Far Cry 6 (1440p) | 84 | 87 |
Shadow of the Tomb Raider (1080p) | 163 | 163 |
Shadow of the Tomb Raider (1440p) | 101 | 137 |
As you can see above, in most games, the RTX 3080 takes the lead.
4060 vs 3080 – innovative features
The RTX 3080 introduces advanced ray tracing capabilities that bring lifelike visuals to your screen. Witness the magic of real-time reflections and shadows that add depth and realism to your games.
Not to be outdone, the RTX 4060 introduces Ada, an AI-powered feature that enhances gameplay like never before. Ada adapts to your gaming style, optimizing settings to ensure a smooth, immersive experience. With Ada in your corner, you can expect unparalleled performance tailored to your preferences.
The 4060 will also sport Nvidia DLSS and frame generation, two incredibly powerful features that allow the card a performance boost, and better benchmarks in certain games, like Cyberpunk 2077. This is what makes 40 series GPUs more lucrative, despite not having higher Cuda cores, RT cores, and the like.
RTX 4060 vs RTX 3080 price comparison
Now, let’s talk about price. The RTX 3080 is a flagship card with a premium price tag, catering to those who demand the absolute best in graphics performance. It’s also the older of the two, and was launched back in September 2020 with an MSRP of $699. On the other hand, the RTX 4060 came out in June 2023, and has a way more budget-friendly starting price of $299. But since each card came out, has either card dropped in price or become even more affordable? We’ve created some graphs on the reputable price tracking site (Camelcamelcamel) to get a sense of what these cards have currently been going for on Amazon.
As you can see from the graph above that uses the PNY GeForce RTX 3080 as an example, the pricing has remained fairly stable over the time it’s been available on Amazon. However, it seems it did see a massive price drop from just last month, coming down from $679.99 to $489.99.
On the other hand, the RTX 4060 offers a more budget-friendly option without sacrificing too much on the power front. Our example here uses the MSI Gaming GeForce RTX 4060 on Amazon, and as you can see, the card is yet to dip below its MSRP of $299. This isn’t too surprising, given that the RTX 4060 isn’t even a year old yet. To point out the obvious, it’s still basically half the price of the RTX 3080, so comes in as a perfect choice for smaller systems or those building a gaming PC on a budget.
Can the RTX 4060 deliver comparable performance to the RTX 3080?
The RTX 4060’s advanced architecture and optimized processing cores provide impressive performance. While it may not match the raw power of the RTX 3080, its efficient design and AI-enhanced features, such as Ada, ensure a smooth and immersive gaming experience.
Is the RTX 4060 better than the RTX 3080?
In terms of overall power, performance, and gaming prowess, no, the RTX 4060 is not better than the RTX 3080. This is simply because of the card design and target audience: it is a smaller, midrange card that makes the Ada Lovelace architecture more accessible to gamers who don’t have around $500 to spend on a GPU. So, if you’re on about value for money instead of 4k gaming, then it could be said that the RTX 4060 is the better GPU when compared to the 3080.
Our Verdict
In the battle between the RTX 4060 and the RTX 3080, it’s clear that both cards have their strengths. The RTX 3080 dominates in sheer power and performance, delivering an extraordinary gaming experience.
However, the RTX 4060 brings a unique edge with Ada, its AI-enhanced feature. It offers an enticing balance of performance and affordability, catering to a wider range of gamers. Ultimately, the choice comes down to your priorities and budget. So, which one will you crown as the champion?