Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Ti vs Nvidia RTX 2080 Super

While it may prove to be a pocket rocket, the release of the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Ti feels like bad timing in line of stock shortages for popular 30-series GPUs.

Nathan Lawrence
Dec 03, 2020
Icon Time To Read3 min read
Graphic of the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 ti vs RTX 2080 Super

Nvidia is at it again. First, it blew the PC gaming world away with seemingly unprecedented demand for Nvidia GeForce RTX 30-series GPUs. Now the popular manufacturer of graphics processing units (GPUs) is at it again with another entry to the Nvidia 30-series line-up that feels poorly timed given the still-heightened demand for its speedier 3070 and 3080 GPUs.

Despite the 3060 Ti being one of the worst-kept secrets of recent tech history, here’s everything you need to know about the next Nvidia graphics card you’ll likely struggle to find stock for.

What is the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Ti?

The Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is the fourth GPU and latest addition to the Nvidia 30-series of graphics card, joining the 3070, 3080, and 3090. As you might expect from those naming conventions, the 3060 Ti isn’t as powerful as the starting trio, but it’s still packing some decent specs. Here it is next to its older, faster siblings.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Ti, 3070, 3080, and 3090

Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 TiNvidia GeForce RTX 3070Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080Nvidia GeForce RTX 3090
Launch price (RRP)
$688
$809
$1139
$2429
Release date2 December 2020 15 October 202017 September 202024 September 2020
Nvidia architectureAmpereAmpere

Ampere

Ampere
Nvidia CUDA cores4,8645,8888,704

10,496

Boost clock1.67GHz1.73GHz1.71GHz1.70GHz
Standard memory configuration8GB GDDR68GB GDDR610GB GDDR6X24GB GDDR6X
Memory interface width256-bit256-bit320-bit384-bit
Ray tracing cores2nd generation2nd generation2nd generation2nd generation
Tensor cores3rd generation3rd generation3rd generation3rd generation
SLI-ready
Icon No  DarkNo
Icon No  DarkNo
Icon No  DarkNo
Icon Yes  DarkYes
Dimensions (l/w/h)242x112mm;2-slot242x112mm;2-slot285x112mm; 2-slot313x138mm; 3-slot
Max GPU temperature93°C93°C93°C93°C
Graphics card power200W220W320W350W
Recommend system power600W650W750W 750W
Supplementary power connectors1xPCIe 8-pin1xPCIe 8-pin2xPCIe 8-pin2xPCIe 8-pin

Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Ti vs 3070

At first glance, you might think that the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Ti has been sent out to undermine the 3070 given the identical standard memory configuration (8GB GDDR6) and 256-bit memory interface width. Both Nvidia GPUs are intended as 1440p graphics cards, but both can still offer admirable results for their price point in 4K scenarios, except where real-time ray tracing is turned on.

According to Nvidia, though, while the 3070 offers comparable performance to Nvidia’s last-gen 2080 Ti juggernaut, the real competition is between the 3060 Ti and the 2080 Super.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Ti vs 2080 Super

This competition is set to be won by the new GPU. Here’s a look at the older and younger Nvidia RTX GPUs side-by-side.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Ti vs 2080 Super specs

Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 SuperNvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
Launch price (RRP)
$1209
$688
Release date9 July 20192 December 2020
Nvidia architectureTuringAmpere
Nvidia CUDA cores3,0724,864
Boost clock1.81GHz1.67GHz
Standard memory configuration8GB GDDR68GB GDDR6
Memory interface width256-bit256-bit
Ray tracing cores1st generation2nd generation
Tensor cores2nd generation3rd generation
SLI-ready
Icon Yes  DarkYes
Icon No  DarkNo
Dimensions (l/w/h)267x116mm; 2-slot242x112mm;2-slot
Max GPU temperature89°C93°C
Graphics card power250W200W
Recommend system power650W600W
Supplementary power connectors1xPCIe 8-pin1xPCIe 8-pin

RTX 3060 Ti vs 2080 Super: Which is better?

The Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Ti beats the 2080 Super on basically every metric above, except for maximum GPU temperature (four degrees cooler), boost clock speed, and the ability to go SLI. In fairness, the cost-to-gains of SLI is moot for the average gamer these days, and that boost-clock win for the 2080 Super is overshadowed by the 1,792 more Nvidia CUDA cores insider the 3060 Ti.

OpenCL Benchmarks give the 3060 Ti close to an eight percent lead over the still-powerful 2080 Super. That’s not to be snuffed at, and while it likely won’t make 2080 Super owners rush to upgrade, it may entice those with slower 20-series GPUs or older-still Nvidia graphics cards to make the leap.

What really sweetens the deal, though, is the cost difference. There are 2080 Super models that are retailing for more than $1,000 in Australia still, which makes the $688 base price for the 3060 Ti all the more appealing. It also helps that it’s a more compact GPU, which draws less power and has a 50W lower requirement for system power (600W vs 650W).

RTX 3060 Ti vs AMD Radeon RX 6800: Which is better?

This is an interesting match-up because the AMD Radeon 6800 is built to compete with the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 and not the 3060 Ti. In that specific OpenCL Benchmarks match-up, the RTX 3070 has a five percent lead over the RX 6800, but the 3060 Ti is nipping at the heels of the of the RX 6800, with a smidge over a two percent difference between the two scores.

Let’s take a look at the two GPUs side-by-side:

Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Ti vs 2080 Super specs

Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 SuperNvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
Launch price (RRP)
$949
$688
Release date19 November 20202 December 2020
ArchitectureTuringAmpere
Boost clock2.01GHz1.67GHz
Memory configuration16GB GDDR68GB GDDR6
Memory interface width256-bit256-bit
Ray tracing1st generation2nd generation
AI coresN/A3rd-gen Tensor Cores
Dimensions267mm length; 2-slot242mm length; 2-slot
GPU power250W200W
Recommended PSU650W600W
Supplementary power connectors2xPCIe 8-pin1xPCIe 8-pin

On paper, the RX 6800 should have a clear lead over the 3060 Ti, most notably with the higher boost clock and double the GDDR6 memory configuration (16GB vs 8GB). But at around $250 cheaper and with DLSS upscaling that allows the 3060 Ti achieve higher frame rates, the Nvidia card is priced appropriately to offer a second competitor for the RX 6800.

Should I buy an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Ti?

Like too many bits of tech this year – 30-series GPUs, 6000 series graphics cards, as well as the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X – stock shortages make this question feel moot. Assuming that Nvidia provides enough stock to keep up with demand, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Ti should be a tempting purchase for anyone with a GPU that has specs below a 2080 Super, particularly those who haven’t been able to nab a 3070 or 3080.

Nathan Lawrence
Written by
Nathan Lawrence has been banging out passionate tech and gaming words for more than 11 years. These days, you can find his work on outlets like IGN, STACK, Fandom, Red Bull and AusGamers. Nathan adores PC gaming and the proof of his first-person-shooter prowess is at the top of a Battlefield V scoreboard.

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