Specifications Compared
| Spec | GTX-1080 | RTX-3080 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 180W | 320W |
| VRAM | 8-11 GB | 10-12 GB |
| CUDA Cores | 2,560 | 8,704 |
| Memory Type | GDDR5X | GDDR6X |
| Architecture | Pascal | Ampere |
| Form Factors | PCIe | PCIe |
| Interconnect | ||
| FP16 Performance | 8.9 TFLOPS | 29.8 TFLOPS |
| FP32 Performance | 8.9 TFLOPS | 29.8 TFLOPS |
| Memory Bandwidth | 320 GB/s | 760 GB/s |
Performance Analysis
The RTX 3080 demonstrates over three times the compute power of the GTX 1080, with 29.8 TFLOPS in FP16 and FP32 compared to 8.9 TFLOPS. This delta translates to faster model training and inference in machine learning: training large neural networks benefits from the higher FP16 throughput for mixed-precision computations, reducing epoch times substantially.
Memory bandwidth represents another clear advantage for the RTX 3080 at 760 GB/s over the GTX 1080's 320 GB/s. Higher bandwidth supports larger batch sizes in training without memory bottlenecks, enabling more efficient data throughput during forward and backward passes.
Power draw differs markedly, with the GTX 1080 at 180W TDP versus the RTX 3080's 320W. While the RTX 3080 consumes more power, its performance per watt improves: approximately 0.093 TFLOPS per watt in FP32 against 0.049 TFLOPS per watt for the GTX 1080. VRAM types also matter, as GDDR6X on the RTX 3080 offers better efficiency for modern workloads than GDDR5X.
Live Cloud Pricing
Real-time prices from 25+ providers. Updated every 60 seconds.
GTX 1080
| Provider | GPU Model | VRAM | Host Specs | Region | Price | Status | Action | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 LeaderGPU | 4×NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 8GB VRAM | 8GB | 0 vCPU 64GB RAM 480GB Storage | Netherlands | $0.30/GPU/hr $1.20/hr total (4×) | Available | ||
LeaderGPU | 8×NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti 11GB VRAM | 11GB | 0 vCPU 128GB RAM 480GB Storage | Netherlands | $0.60/GPU/hr $4.80/hr total (8×) | Available |
When to Choose the GTX 1080
The GTX 1080 suits scenarios with strict power constraints, drawing only 180W TDP compared to the RTX 3080's 320W. Environments limited to lower wattage allocations, such as certain edge servers or portable cloud instances, favor this GPU to avoid exceeding power budgets.
Legacy applications optimized specifically for Pascal architecture benefit from the GTX 1080's 8 to 11 GB GDDR5X VRAM, ensuring compatibility without refactoring. With pricing from $0.30 per hour, it serves very light inference tasks where 8.9 TFLOPS suffices and availability across 2 offers aligns with niche needs.
When to Choose the RTX 3080
The RTX 3080 excels in demanding machine learning tasks, delivering 29.8 TFLOPS in FP16 and FP32 alongside 760 GB/s bandwidth. This configuration handles larger models and batch sizes effectively, making it ideal for training and fine-tuning where the GTX 1080's 8.9 TFLOPS and 320 GB/s fall short.
At from $0.06 per hour averaging $0.13 across 8 offers, the RTX 3080 provides superior value. Its 10 to 12 GB GDDR6X VRAM supports modern workflows like Stable Diffusion, outperforming the GTX 1080 in both speed and cost-efficiency.
Use Cases
The RTX 3080's 29.8 TFLOPS FP16 and 760 GB/s bandwidth enable larger batch sizes and faster epochs than the GTX 1080's 8.9 TFLOPS and 320 GB/s.
Higher FP32 performance at 29.8 TFLOPS on the RTX 3080 supports low-latency inference for larger models, exceeding the GTX 1080's 8.9 TFLOPS capacity.
RTX 3080's 10 to 12 GB GDDR6X VRAM and superior bandwidth handle fine-tuning datasets efficiently, unlike the GTX 1080's 8 to 11 GB GDDR5X.
The RTX 3080 processes image generation faster with 29.8 TFLOPS and 760 GB/s, generating higher-resolution outputs than the GTX 1080's specs allow.
Ampere architecture and 29.8 TFLOPS FP32 on the RTX 3080 accelerate simulations; the GTX 1080's Pascal limits scale poorly for complex computations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the RTX 3080 faster than the GTX 1080?▾
Yes, the RTX 3080 achieves 29.8 TFLOPS in FP16 and FP32, over three times the GTX 1080's 8.9 TFLOPS. Memory bandwidth also favors the RTX 3080 at 760 GB/s versus 320 GB/s, impacting real-world tasks like training.
Which has more VRAM?▾
The RTX 3080 provides 10 to 12 GB GDDR6X, slightly more than the GTX 1080's 8 to 11 GB GDDR5X. This edge supports larger models in inference and training on the newer GPU.
What are the cloud rental prices?▾
GTX 1080 rentals start from $0.30 per hour, averaging $0.45 across 2 offers. RTX 3080 is cheaper at from $0.06 per hour, averaging $0.13 across 8 offers.
Which GPU uses less power?▾
The GTX 1080 has a lower 180W TDP compared to the RTX 3080's 320W. However, the RTX 3080 delivers better performance per watt at about 0.093 TFLOPS per watt versus 0.049.
What architectures do they use?▾
GTX 1080 runs on Pascal from 2016, while RTX 3080 uses Ampere from 2020. This generational gap explains the RTX 3080's advantages in TFLOPS and bandwidth.
Are both suitable for machine learning?▾
Both work for ML, but RTX 3080's 29.8 TFLOPS FP16 excels in training and inference. GTX 1080's 8.9 TFLOPS limits it to smaller-scale tasks.
Which is cheaper to rent, the GTX 1080 or the RTX 3080?▾
Cloud rental prices for both the GTX 1080 and RTX 3080 vary by provider, configuration, and availability. This page shows live pricing from 25+ providers updated every 60 seconds. Scroll to the Live Cloud Pricing section to compare current rates.
How much VRAM does the GTX 1080 have compared to the RTX 3080?▾
The GTX 1080 has 8 to 11 GB of GDDR5X memory. The RTX 3080 has 10 to 12 GB of GDDR6X memory.
Can I find GTX 1080 and RTX 3080 GPUs available to rent right now?▾
Yes. This page shows real-time availability across 25+ cloud GPU providers. The Live Cloud Pricing section displays only in-stock offers with current pricing.
What is the main difference between the GTX 1080 and the RTX 3080?▾
The GTX 1080 uses the Pascal architecture (2016) while the RTX 3080 uses Ampere (2020). The RTX 3080 delivers 3.3x the FP16 throughput and 2.4x the memory bandwidth of the GTX 1080.