NVIDIA has unveiled the RTX 30 series, and the new cards deliver incredible gains in performance across the board. The RTX 3090 in particular is the most powerful GPU NVIDIA has launched to date, with the card featuring 24GB of GDDR6X video memory and a staggering 10496 CUDA cores, making it an easy recommendation on our best graphics card list.
The RTX 3090 is 50% more powerful than the Titan RTX, and the card is able to deliver 60fps at 8K. Then there's the RTX 3080, which offers double the level of performance of the RTX 2080 for the same price. The RTX 3070, meanwhile, is 60% more powerful than the RTX 2070. NVIDIA is also rolling out HDMI 2.1, a new thermal solution that's quieter and cools more effectively, and it is introducing a suite of tools designed to optimize FPS gaming.
Here's a breakdown of the hardware on offer with the RTX 3090, RTX 3080, and RTX 3070:
GeForce RTX 3090 vs. RTX 3080 vs. RTX 3070: Full specs
| Category | GeForce RTX 3090 | GeForce RTX 3080 | GeForce RTX 3070 |
|---|---|---|---|
| CUDA Cores | 10496 | 8704 | 5888 |
| Boost Clock | 1.70GHz | 1.71GHz | 1.73GHz |
| Memory | 24GB GDDR6X | 10GB GDDR6X | 8GB GDDR6 |
| Memory Bus | 384-bit | 320-bit | 256-bit |
| TFLOPS | 36 (Shader) 69 (RT) 285 (Tensor) | 30 (Shader) 58 (RT) 238 (Tensor) | 20 (Shader) 40 (RT) 163 (Tensor) |
| PCIe Interface | 4.0 x16 | 4.0 x16 | 4.0 x16 |
| Display Output | HDMI 2.1 3 x DisplayPort 1.4 | HDMI 2.1 3 x DisplayPort 1.4 | HDMI 2.1 3 x DisplayPort 1.4 |
| TDP | 350W | 320W | 220W |
| Power Connector | 12-pin Needs two 8-pin connectors | 12-pin Needs two 8-pin connectors | 12-pin Needs two 8-pin connectors |
| Node | 8nm | 8nm | 8nm |
| Dimensions | 313 x 138mm 3-Slot design | 285 x 112mm 2-Slot design | 242 x 112mm 2-Slot design |
| Retail Price | $1,499 | $699 | $499 |
GeForce RTX 3090 vs. RTX 3080 vs. RTX 3070: Which should you buy?
Looking at what each card has to offer, it's obvious that the RTX 3070 hits the sweet spot if you're in the market for value. The card is ideal for 4K and 1440p gaming, and with the same level of performance as the RTX 2080 Ti, you're getting an incredible bargain for $499. If you're gaming on a GTX 10 series or older card, now is the time to make the switch.
The RTX 3070 hits the sweet spot for gaming.
If you want the best possible card for 4K gaming, the RTX 3080 is the ideal choice. The card slots in at the same $699 price point as the RTX 2080, and you get double the performance. If you're thinking of making the switch to a 4K HDR monitor and want a card that will hold its own for the next three to four years, the RTX 3080 is the one to get.
The RTX 3090 is a beastly card that's not really designed for most consumers. The RTX 3080 is more than adequate for 4K gaming, but if you want the absolute best that NVIDIA has to offer, then the RTX 3090 is the card to get. You are paying a lot here, but you're also getting a level of performance that's unheard of in this segment.
All three cards are on sale now, but NVIDIA has had issues with inventory due to high demand. We've rounded up all the RTX 30 series cards available right now, so be sure to take a look if you're interested in upgrading to the RTX 30 series.
The NVIDIA RTX 3070 should prove to be quite popular thanks to an incredibly attractive price and performance that rivals the current RTX 2080 Ti.
Want to enjoy 4K at stable 60FPS or top-tier 1440p gaming? NVIDIA's RTX 3080 is the GPU for you, and it's available from several manufacturers.
Are you looking to push an 8K resolution at 60FPS or any lower resolution at an even higher framerate? The RTX 3090 might be costly, but it's an absolute beast that will make every gamer you know jealous.
