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If you’re in the market for a new graphics card, you’ve probably come across Nvidia’s RTX 3080 and the AMD RX 6800 XT. These are two of the most powerful GPUs from the last gen, and they are both capable of delivering exceptional performance for gaming and other graphics-intensive tasks. In this article, we’ll compare the RTX 3080 and RX 6800 XT to help you decide which one is the best choice for your needs.
This is an interesting comparison. Both GPUs are in the same price range and set at the mid–range of performance. Almost every enthusiast has wondered which one they should go with and ended up choosing their own brand preference.
RTX 3080 vs RX 6800 XT specs comparison
The RTX 3080 is a powerful GPU that is capable of delivering exceptional performance for gaming and other graphics-intensive tasks. It has a high clock speed and a large number of CUDA cores, which allows it to handle complex graphics and run games at high frame rates. Additionally, the RTX 3080 supports ray tracing, which is a cutting-edge rendering technique that can produce more realistic lighting and shadows in games. Overall, the RTX 3080 is one of the fastest graphics cards available, and it is a great choice for anyone who wants the best possible performance for its price for their gaming PC.
The AMD RX 6800 XT, on the other hand, is generally less expensive than the RTX 3080, which makes it a more affordable option for those on a budget. This is because the RX 6800 XT is an older and slightly less advanced GPU than the RTX 3080, so it is available at a lower price point.
Despite its lower price, the RX 6800 XT still offers impressive performance for gaming and other graphics-intensive tasks, making it a good value for the money. Additionally, the RX 6800 XT supports ray tracing, which is a feature that was once reserved for only the most expensive graphics cards. Overall, the RX 6800 XT is a good option for those who want a high-performance GPU without breaking the bank.
RTX 3080 performance at 1440p
On AMD’s Radeon RX 6800XT, Cyberpunk 2077 runs on Ultra settings at 115.6 FPS, while on the RTX 3080 it can hit around 110. While not too dissimilar, it’s raytracing that makes all the difference, with the RTX 3080 winning out at 65 FPS over the former’s 38.4 average fps running the same game.
In Call of Duty: Warzone, both GPUs averaged about the same FPS, with the Radeon product beating out the RTX 3080 only by about a few FPS more. The RX 6800 XT showed around 128 FPS while the 3080 topped out at 123, so the differences here are very minimal.
Thus, each GPU is better per game in a different aspect. The main factor that stands out beyond raytracing capabilities is clock speeds. The 6800 XT has higher base/boost clock speeds than the 3080. However, this is balanced out by Nvidia with higher shading units (8704 from the 3080 vs 4608 from the 6800 XT)
We can also see how the GDDR6X helps the RTX 3080 to overperform the RX 6800. Thanks to this memory type, the 3080 is capable to deliver 19GT/s when the 6800 XT can only deliver 46GT/s. This fast transfer becomes more obvious in the higher bandwidth of the Nvidia GPU.
These specs make a major difference when the GPUs are working at their highest in 1440p gaming. The RTX 3080 makes use of its bandwidth and memory speed, while the 6800 XT takes advantage of its faster clock speeds and higher memory size. This equalizes both cards, giving the Nvidia GPU a slight advantage.
RTX 3080 vs RX 6800 XT price
The initial MSRP for the RTX 3080 was higher than the MSRP for the RX 6800 XT. The RTX 3080 had a starting MSRP of $699, while the RX 6800 XT had an MSRP of $649. This price difference is due to at least two factors. First, as usual, Nvidia cards are more expensive than AMD’s.
Lastly, the RTX 3080 has additional features, such as Nvidia DLSS and NVENC, which are not available on the RX 6800 XT. Overall, the RTX 3080 is typically more expensive than the RX 6800 XT, but the difference in price point is not always significant.
If we look at current prices, the situation has changed. The RTX 3080 can be purchased for around $800-$900 while the RX 6800 XT can be found at around $650-$750. The real question here is if it’s worth the extra $200 for the 3080, to which we would say, it doesn’t. As we will see in the next section, the performance improvement that DLSS and the RTX 3080 bring over the 6800 XT is not high enough to pay almost $200 more.
RTX 3080 vs RX 6800 XT Performance
In terms of raw performance, the RTX 3080 is generally considered to be slightly faster than the RX 6800 XT. The RTX 3080 has a higher clock speed and more CUDA cores, which allows it to handle more complex graphics and run games at higher frame rates. For example, in some benchmarks, the RTX 3080 has been shown to deliver faster results than the RX 6800 XT. However, the difference in performance between the two GPUs is not always significant, and the RX 6800 XT is still a very fast and capable GPU in its own right.
In a benchmark done by Techspot, we see the average performance of the RX 6800 XT in a variety of video games. They test the GPU in games such as Godfall, Watchdogs: Legion, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Dirt 5, Death Stranding, and more. They also check the FPS results in both 1440p and 4K gaming.
Across almost all the games we see the RX 6800 XT performs better in 1440p, while the RTX 3080 gets the advantage in 4K gaming. However, these FPS differences change according to the game. In general, for games that are DLSS optimized, the 3080 performs better. We would call this a tie if both cards were sold for about the same price, but the price difference makes the RTX 3080 a hard sell.
RTX 3080 vs RX 6800 XT Final thoughts
In conclusion, the RTX 3080 and the RX 6800 XT are both powerful graphics cards that can deliver excellent performance for gaming and other demanding tasks. The RTX 3080 offers slightly better performance in 4K gaming and DLSS optimize games, with higher frame rates and support for real-time ray tracing and AI-powered features. However, the RX 6800 XT is a more affordable option and might be a better choice for some users. Ultimately, the best graphics card for you will depend on your specific needs and overall budget.
