GeForce RTX 3080 12 GBvsGeForce RTX 5090
The GeForce RTX 3080 12 GB is a high-end card built for reliable 4K gaming and creative work, while the GeForce RTX 5090 is a next-gen flagship for enthusiasts chasing the absolute best performance and future-proofing.
GeForce RTX 3080 12 GB
Ampere · TSMC 8 nm · 2022
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GeForce RTX 5090
Blackwell 2.0 · TSMC 5 nm · 2025
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Overall Performance Score
A unified score from combined synthetic and real-world benchmarks. 100 represents the fastest consumer GPU available.
Side-by-Side Specs
Every detail compared. Highlighted cells indicate the leading value for that metric.
Which should you buy?
The GeForce RTX 5090 wins overall for anyone wanting top-tier performance and future-proofing with vastly more memory and speed.
For budget-focused buyers, the GeForce RTX 3080 12 GB is the smarter pick, offering solid high-refresh gaming at a far lower cost.
The GeForce RTX 3080 12 GB is the right choice if you play at 1440p and want great performance without spending on a new power supply.
Frequently asked questions
Is the RTX 3080 12 GB better than the RTX 5090?
Overall the RTX 5090 is the stronger graphics card: it ranks higher in our aggregate performance score (94 vs 64 out of 100), so it leads the RTX 3080 12 GB in most workloads.
How much faster is the RTX 5090 than the RTX 3080 12 GB?
Based on our aggregated benchmark scores the RTX 5090 is roughly 47% faster than the RTX 3080 12 GB overall. The real-world gap varies by game, resolution and settings.
Which should you buy, the RTX 3080 12 GB or the RTX 5090?
If you want the most performance, pick the RTX 5090. If the RTX 3080 12 GB is meaningfully cheaper where you shop, it can be the better value for similar real-world results — check current prices and the full spec comparison above before deciding.