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GTX 1080 vs RTX 3050

Full specification comparison between the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 (2016) and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 (2022).

Winner

GTX 1080

NVIDIA Entry-level

20 / perf index
  • ~11% faster on average
  • Wider memory bus (256-bit vs 128-bit)

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RTX 3050

NVIDIA Entry-level

18 / perf index
  • Lower power draw (130 W vs 180 W)
  • Cheaper at launch ($249 vs $599)
  • Newer (2022 vs 2016)
  • Better performance per dollar

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Verdict: The GTX 1080 is around 11% faster than the RTX 3050 on average — a modest edge you may notice in demanding titles, but not a generational leap.

At launch pricing, the RTX 3050 offers more performance per dollar, and the RTX 3050 is the more power-efficient chip.

Estimated performance

GTX 1080
20
RTX 3050
18

Estimated average 1440p raster gaming performance compiled from publicly available benchmark data. Individual games vary.

Specs side by side

SpecificationGTX 1080RTX 3050
ArchitecturePascalAmpere
Release year20162022
Est. performance
20
18
Shading units
2,560
2,560
Boost clock
1733 MHz
1777 MHz
FP32 compute
8.9 TFLOPS
9.1 TFLOPS
VRAM
8 GB
8 GB
Memory typeGDDR5XGDDR6
Memory bus
256-bit
128-bit
Board power
180 W
130 W
Launch MSRP
$599
$249

Green bars mark the better value in each row (for power and price, lower wins).

Frequently asked questions

Is the GTX 1080 better than the RTX 3050?

Yes — based on aggregated benchmark data, the GTX 1080 is about 11% faster than the RTX 3050 on average.

How much faster is the GTX 1080 than the RTX 3050?

Roughly 11% on average in raster gaming workloads. The gap varies by title, resolution and settings.

Which graphics card is better value?

Comparing launch prices, the RTX 3050 delivers more performance per dollar. Check current street prices, as market pricing often shifts the value equation.

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