NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 12GB vs AMD Radeon RX 9070
Detailed gaming performance comparison
Reference CPU: Intel Core i5-13400
We compare the RTX 3080 12GB and the RX 9070 with real FPS across the most popular games at 1080p, 1440p and 4K, plus specs, launch price and AI upscaling support (DLSS/FSR/XeSS). See at a glance which is better for your resolution and budget.
The RTX 3080 12GB is ~2% faster than the RX 9070 on average at 1080p. On top of that, the RX 9070 is 31% cheaper (launch price).
RTX 3080 12GB
- Index (1080p)
- 71/100
- VRAM
- 12 GB
- Price (MSRP)
- $799 · ≈ €735
- Upscaling
- DLSS
RX 9070
- Index (1080p)
- 70/100
- VRAM
- 16 GB
- Price (MSRP)
- $549 · ≈ €505
- Upscaling
- FSR + Frame Gen
Average FPS by resolution
Estimated average FPS for each graphics card across the most popular games. The gap usually shows at 1080p and 1440p; at 4K both lose smoothness and upscaling (DLSS/FSR) helps.
| Resolution | RTX 3080 12GB | RX 9070 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p | 84 | 82 | +2% |
| 1440p | 70 | 66 | +6% |
| 4K | 45 | 40 | +13% |
Specifications
Side-by-side specs of the RTX 3080 12GB and RX 9070: VRAM, power draw (TDP), performance index and launch price. The better value in each row is highlighted in blue.
| Spec | RTX 3080 12GB | RX 9070 |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | NVIDIA | AMD |
| VRAM | 12 GB | 16 GB |
| TDP | 350W | 250W |
| Tier | High-end | High-end |
| Score 1080p | 71 | 70 |
| Score 1440p | 69 | 66 |
| Score 4K | 59 | 53 |
| Price (MSRP) | $799 | $549 |
Gaming Performance
Per-game FPS detail at 1080p Ultra. The graphics card that wins each title is highlighted in blue.
| Game | RTX 3080 12GB | RX 9070 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Theft Auto IV: Complete Edition | 88FPS | 86FPS | RTX 3080 12GB |
| Grand Theft Auto VI | 63FPS | 63FPS | Tie |
| Halloween: The Game | 83FPS | 81FPS | RTX 3080 12GB |
| Kena: Scars of Kosmora | 88FPS | 86FPS | RTX 3080 12GB |
| Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV | 96FPS | 94FPS | RTX 3080 12GB |
| Mortal Shell II | 74FPS | 73FPS | RTX 3080 12GB |
| Clive Barker's Hellraiser: Revival | 83FPS | 81FPS | RTX 3080 12GB |
| Valor Mortis | 74FPS | 73FPS | RTX 3080 12GB |
| Star Wars Zero Company | 99FPS | 97FPS | RTX 3080 12GB |
| Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve | 88FPS | 86FPS | RTX 3080 12GB |
Verdict
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 12GB wins in 9 out of 10 games
We recommend NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 12GB as the best option for gaming.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions when comparing the RTX 3080 12GB with the RX 9070.
Which is better, the RTX 3080 12GB or the RX 9070?
On average at 1080p, the RTX 3080 12GB is 2% faster than the RX 9070. The best one for you depends on your resolution, budget and whether you prioritise ray tracing or price.
Which is better at 4K?
At 4K Ultra, the RTX 3080 12GB averages 45 FPS and the RX 9070 40 FPS across the most popular games. For smooth 4K, enabling upscaling (DLSS/FSR) helps on both.
Is it worth paying more for the faster one?
At 1080p or 1440p the FPS gap may not justify the extra cost; at 4K or with ray tracing the faster card matters more. Check the by-resolution table to decide.
Which has better ray tracing and upscaling?
AI upscaling (DLSS on NVIDIA, FSR on AMD, XeSS on Intel) raises FPS on both; for ray tracing, GeForce RTX cards usually lead. See each card’s support above.
How big is the FPS difference between them?
On average across top games, the gap is around 2% at 1080p. At higher resolutions (1440p and 4K) the relative difference usually stays similar.