NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 vs NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Comparison

The GeForce RTX 5060 and GeForce RTX 3080 represent two distinct generations of NVIDIA hardware, and the benchmark data reveals a clear split in their respective strengths. The RTX 3080, an older flagship, dominates in raw compute and traditional DirectX workloads, while the RTX 5060, a newer mainstream part, shows a decisive advantage in modern API efficiency and 2D operations. The recorded data shows that the RTX 3080 wins 8 out of 10 head-to-head benchmarks, but the RTX 5060 claims the two most modern and forward-looking tests, including a massive victory in Vulkan performance.

Where Each One Wins

The use-case split is starkly defined by the benchmark results. The RTX 3080 is the clear winner for compute-heavy tasks and legacy API scenarios. It takes the Geekbench OpenCL test with a score of 152,423 against the RTX 5060’s 112,787, a 26% advantage. It also wins all four DirectX Passmark tests: DirectX 10 (170 vs 127), DirectX 11 (207 vs 200), DirectX 12 (100 vs 77), and DirectX 9 (258 vs 225). Furthermore, the RTX 3080 leads in 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 with a score of 4407 compared to 3628, a 17.7% margin, and in Passmark G3D (25086 vs 20891) and GPU Compute (14397 vs 10899). This makes it the superior choice for traditional rasterization, general-purpose GPU computing, and any workload that relies on established DirectX versions.

Conversely, the RTX 5060 is the winner in the Vulkan API and in 2D graphics performance. The Geekbench Vulkan test shows a monumental win for the RTX 5060, scoring 113,321 against the RTX 3080’s 33,620, a 237.1% delta. This suggests a major architectural efficiency improvement in Vulkan. It also wins the Passmark G2D test, scoring 1154 versus 1054, a 9.5% advantage. The data indicates that the RTX 5060 is the better choice for modern games and applications that leverage Vulkan, as well as for tasks that depend on 2D acceleration.

The average benchmark scores paint a mixed picture. The RTX 5060 has a higher average benchmark score of 26,331, while the RTX 3080 sits at 23,172. However, the RTX 5060’s percentile ranking is 72, compared to the RTX 3080’s 68. This means the RTX 5060, despite losing most of the direct comparisons, lands in a slightly higher percentile of all GPUs, likely due to its exceptional Vulkan score inflating its average.

FAQ

Q: Which GPU is faster in the 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 benchmark?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 is faster, scoring 4407 compared to the RTX 5060’s 3628, a 17.7% difference.

Q: How large is the performance gap in Vulkan?

A: The RTX 5060 is massively ahead in Geekbench Vulkan, scoring 113,321 versus the RTX 3080’s 33,620, which is a 237.1% advantage.

Q: Which card performs better in DirectX 12?

A: The RTX 3080 wins the Passmark DirectX 12 test with a score of 100, while the RTX 5060 scores 77, a 23% difference.

Q: Does the newer RTX 5060 have a higher average benchmark score?

A: Yes, the RTX 5060 has an average benchmark score of 26,331, while the RTX 3080 has an average of 23,172.

Q: What about compute performance?

A: The RTX 3080 leads in Passmark GPU Compute with a score of 14,397, compared to the RTX 5060’s 10,899, a 24.3% margin.

Q: Which card is better for 2D workload?

A: The RTX 5060 is better, winning the Passmark G2D test with a score of 1154 versus the RTX 3080’s 1054, a 9.5% lead.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive victory belongs to the RTX 5060 in Geekbench Vulkan. Its score of 113,321 dwarfs the RTX 3080’s 33,620, resulting in a 237.1% delta. This is not a marginal improvement; it is a generational leap in API efficiency. The data suggests that the RTX 5060’s architecture is far more optimized for the Vulkan API, which is a critical factor for modern game engines and cross-platform titles.

The RTX 3080’s biggest wins are in Geekbench OpenCL and the 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 test. In OpenCL, the RTX 3080 scores 152,423 versus 112,787, a 26% lead. In Steel Nomad, it scores 4407 versus 3628, a 17.7% advantage. These are significant margins, indicating that the RTX 3080’s raw compute resources are substantially higher, which translates to better performance in compute-centric applications and DX12 titles that are not heavily optimized for newer hardware.

The remaining wins for the RTX 3080 are consistent but smaller. In Passmark DirectX 10, it leads by 25.3% (170 vs 127). The DirectX 12 test shows a 23% lead (100 vs 77). GPU Compute shows a 24.3% lead (14,397 vs 10,899), and G3D shows a 16.7% lead (25,086 vs 20,891). The DirectX 11 test is the closest, with the RTX 3080 only 3.4% ahead (207 vs 200). The RTX 5060 also wins the G2D test by 9.5% (1154 vs 1054), a smaller but clear victory.

The data shows a pattern: the RTX 3080 is consistently faster across the board, but the RTX 5060 has one massive outlier win that suggests a fundamental architectural advantage in a specific area. This is not a case of one card being universally better; it is a case of different strengths for different workloads.

Specification Differences

The two cards differ significantly in their core specifications. The RTX 3080 features 8,704 shading units, 272 TMUs, and 96 ROPs, while the RTX 5060 has 3,840 shading units, 120 TMUs, and 48 ROPs. This explains the RTX 3080’s dominance in raw fill-rate and compute tasks. The RTX 3080 also has more RT cores (68 vs 30) and more tensor cores (272 vs 120), although the RTX 5060’s newer generation may offer different per-core performance.

Clock speeds are another major difference. The RTX 5060 runs at a base clock of 2280 MHz and a boost clock of 2497 MHz, while the RTX 3080 has a base clock of 1440 MHz and a boost clock of 1710 MHz. Despite the lower clocks, the RTX 3080’s much larger chip and higher core count give it the performance lead. The memory subsystem also differs: the RTX 3080 has 10 GB of GDDR6X on a 320-bit bus with 760.3 GB/s of bandwidth, while the RTX 5060 has 8 GB of GDDR7 on a 128-bit bus with 448.0 GB/s.

Power and interface specifications show the generational shift. The RTX 5060 has a TDP of 145 W with a suggested PSU of 300 W and a 1x 8-pin connector, while the RTX 3080 has a TDP of 320 W, a suggested PSU of 700 W, and a 1x 12-pin connector. The RTX 5060 uses PCIe 5.0 x8, whereas the RTX 3080 uses PCIe 4.0 x16. Display outputs also differ: the RTX 5060 has 1x HDMI 2.1b and 3x DisplayPort 2.1b, while the RTX 3080 has 1x HDMI 2.1 and 3x DisplayPort 1.4a. The RTX 5060’s dimensions are 241 mm in length, while the RTX 3080 is 285 mm long.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide is fundamental. The RTX 5060 is built on the Blackwell 2.0 architecture using the GB206 chip, fabricated on a 5 nm process at TSMC. It contains 21,900 million transistors on a die size of 181 mm², giving a transistor density of 121.0M per mm². The RTX 3080, in contrast, uses the Ampere architecture with the GA102 chip, built on an 8 nm process at Samsung. It has 28,300 million transistors on a much larger 628 mm² die, with a transistor density of only 45.1M per mm².

This process node advantage is critical. The RTX 5060’s 5 nm node allows for much higher efficiency and clock speeds, which explains its lower power draw and higher boost clock. The RTX 3080’s larger, older chip relies on brute force with more cores and more memory bandwidth. The RTX 5060 also has a newer memory type, GDDR7, which offers higher per-pin efficiency compared to the RTX 3080’s GDDR6X.

The API support is identical (DirectX 12 Ultimate, OpenGL 4.6, Vulkan 1.4), but the recorded Vulkan performance suggests a much more efficient driver and hardware implementation on the RTX 5060. The RTX 3080’s RT core count is higher, but the RTX 5060’s are newer and may have different ray tracing capabilities. The production status also differs: the RTX 5060 is active, while the RTX 3080 is end-of-life.

The Verdict

The data points to two different user profiles. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 is the choice for users who prioritize raw compute power and compatibility with a wide range of API workloads. Its wins in OpenCL, DirectX 9 through 12, and the 3DMark Steel Nomad benchmark make it a versatile and powerful card for most existing games and professional compute tasks. Its 8,704 shading units and 760.3 GB/s of memory bandwidth are the clear drivers of its performance, even if it consumes 320 W and requires a 700 W PSU.

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 is the choice for users focused on modern APIs and efficiency. Its 237.1% lead in Geekbench Vulkan is the defining statistic of this comparison, indicating that it is exceptionally well-optimized for the future of graphics. Its lower TDP of 145 W, smaller 241 mm length, and PCIe 5.0 x8 interface make it a more flexible and power-efficient option. The database shows that while the RTX 3080 wins more tests, the RTX 5060’s average benchmark score is higher (26,331 vs 23,172) and its percentile ranking is better (72 vs 68).

Ultimately, the RTX 3080 is the better performer in the majority of current benchmarks, but the RTX 5060 is the more forward-looking card. The recorded data does not support a single winner; it supports a choice based on workload. Users who need maximum compatibility and raw throughput in legacy and compute scenarios should look at the RTX 3080. Users who prioritize Vulkan performance, lower power consumption, and a smaller footprint should consider the RTX 5060. The RTX 3080’s launch MSRP was 699 USD, while the RTX 5060’s was 299 USD, reflecting their different market positions.