NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 VS NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 12GB
Choosing between **RTX 4080** and **RTX 3060 12GB** depends on your specific AI workload requirements. The **RTX 4080** leads in both memory capacity and raw compute power, making it a stronger choice for high-end LLM training. Currently, you can rent these GPUs starting from **$0.13/h** and **$0.05/h** respectively across 4 providers.
RTX 3060 12GB
📊 Detailed Specifications Comparison
| Specification | RTX 4080 | RTX 3060 12GB | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Architecture & Design | |||
| Architecture | Ada Lovelace | Ampere | - |
| Process Node | 4nm | 8nm | - |
| Target Market | consumer | consumer | - |
| Form Factor | 3-slot PCIe | 2-slot PCIe | - |
| Memory & Bandwidth | |||
| VRAM Capacity | 16GB | 12GB | +33% |
| Memory Type | GDDR6X | GDDR6 | - |
| Memory Bandwidth | 717 GB/s | 360 GB/s | +99% |
| Memory Bus Width | 256-bit | 192-bit | - |
| Compute Infrastructure | |||
| CUDA Cores | 9,728 | 3,584 | +171% |
| Tensor Cores (AI) | 304 | 112 | +171% |
| RT Cores (Ray Tracing) | 76 | 28 | +171% |
| AI & Compute Performance (TFLOPS) | |||
| FP32 (Single Precision) | 48.7 TFLOPS | 12.7 TFLOPS | +283% |
| Power & Efficiency | |||
| TDP (Thermal Design Power) | 320W | 170W | +88% |
| PCIe Interface | PCIe 4.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x16 | - |
🎯 Use Case Recommendations
LLM & Large Model Training
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080
Higher VRAM capacity and memory bandwidth are critical for training large language models. The RTX 4080 offers 16GB compared to 12GB.
AI Inference
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080
For inference workloads, performance per watt matters most. Consider the balance between FP16/INT8 throughput and power consumption.
Budget-Conscious Choice
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 12GB
Based on current cloud pricing, the RTX 3060 12GB starts at a lower hourly rate.
Technical Deep Dive: RTX 4080 vs RTX 3060 12GB
This is a generational comparison within the NVIDIA ecosystem, pitting Ada Lovelace against Ampere. From a cost perspective, the **RTX 3060 12GB** is currently about **62% cheaper** per hour, offering better value for budget-conscious projects.
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 is Best For:
- Gaming
- AI development
- Budget builds
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is Best For:
- Personal AI projects
- Low-budget LLM tinkering
- Large model training
Frequently Asked Questions
Which GPU is better for AI training: RTX 4080 or RTX 3060 12GB?
For AI training, the key factors are VRAM size, memory bandwidth, and tensor core performance. The RTX 4080 offers 16GB of GDDR6X memory with 717 GB/s bandwidth, while the RTX 3060 12GB provides 12GB of GDDR6 with 360 GB/s bandwidth. For larger models, the RTX 4080's higher VRAM capacity gives it an advantage.
What is the price difference between RTX 4080 and RTX 3060 12GB in the cloud?
Cloud GPU rental prices vary by provider and region. Based on our data, RTX 4080 starts at $0.13/hour while RTX 3060 12GB starts at $0.05/hour. This represents a 160% price difference.
Can I use RTX 3060 12GB instead of RTX 4080 for my workload?
It depends on your specific requirements. If your model fits within 12GB of VRAM and you don't need the additional throughput of the RTX 4080, the RTX 3060 12GB can be a cost-effective alternative. However, for workloads requiring maximum memory capacity or multi-GPU scaling, the RTX 4080's architecture may be essential.
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