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The GeForce RTX 2080 Super is one of NVIDIA's last-generation top-level consumer cards, while the 3060 Ti is one of their current mid-range GPUs. However, these graphics cards have comparable performance due to technological developments between GPU generations.

But does that automatically mean you should get the newer card? Or does the older model still have some fight left in it? Let's compare the RTX 2080 Super and the RTX 3060 Ti and determine which GPU delivers better value.

RTX 2080 Super vs. RTX 3060 Ti: Spec Comparison

Before anything else, let's go through the specifications of both devices and see how one stack against the other.

On paper, the RTX 2080 Super and the RTX 3060 Ti seem to be at par. While the former has higher clock speeds, more Ray Tracing and Tensor Cores, and a better Texture Rate, the latter makes up for it with more CUDA Cores, a newer architecture, and an improved pixel rate.

Given the $300 SRP difference between the two, the 3060 Ti is the clear winner in this match. But theoretical performance is different from real-world experience, so how do they compare when running games?

RTX 2080 Super vs. RTX 3060 Ti: Gaming Benchmarks

The numbers above mean nothing if the hardware can't translate them into actual performance. So, let's look at some actual FPS performance numbers. TechSpot ran the benchmark with a Ryzen 3950X paired with 32GB of DDR-3400 RAM. These are the results:

Looking at the results, the 3060 Ti's performance advantage over the 2080 Super varies between -3% (with the latter performing better) and 23%. But on average, the former has a 6.33% performance advantage despite having less clock speed, retaining the same VRAM, and requiring less power.

The new Ampere architecture probably brings this, allowing the 3060 Ti to perform marginally better than the 2080 Super.

RTX 2080 Super vs. RTX 3060 Ti: Pricing

When looking at the SRP, the 3060 Ti is 43% more affordable than the 2080 Super. Given that it is slightly more powerful than the latter, this offers an outstanding value.

You'll find a similar story if you look at current Amazon prices. Since the 2080 Super is three years old (at the time of writing in 2022), you'll be hardpressed to find a brand new option. As of publishing time, you can find a renewed Gigabyte GeForce RTX 2080 Super Windforce OC 8G for $799.99. It's over $100 more expensive than suggested, making it insanely expensive for a used card.

On the other hand, the Gigabyte GeForce RTX 3060 Ti Gaming OC Pro 8G can be had for $520 new. This price makes it about 35% cheaper than the older 2080 Super. So, despite the increased price due to the GPU shortage, the 3060 Ti offers more bang for the buck.

However, it might not be easy to find the 3060 Ti at this price, given the current market of expensive GPUs. Other retailers have prices ranging from $695 to more than $800, averaging around $730. Nevertheless, this is still more affordable than a used RTX 2080 Super, so the 3060 Ti is a no-brainer choice.

RTX 2080 Super vs. RTX 3060 Ti: Power Efficiency

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti offers slightly more power than the last-generation 2080 Super while requiring 50 watts less power to run. This makes it more power efficient than the latter, so you enjoy more FPS while consuming less electricity.

If you're upgrading from a GTX 1080, you're probably safe to go for the 3060 Ti without needing to upgrade your PSU. But if you're coming from a lower 10-series or any 16-series GPU, you must consider your available power.

The 200-watt requirement of the 3060 Ti (or 250 watts for the 2080 Super) might overwhelm your PSU, thus putting you in danger of frying your GPU.

Should You Go for the 3060 Ti Over the 2080 Super?

If you're picking between the two, the obvious choice is the 3060 Ti. Not only is it slightly more powerful than the latter, but it's also more power efficient and significantly more affordable at SRP. Even at inflated market prices, the former is still more affordable and offers more FPS per dollar than the old GPU.

Don't be fooled by the higher number of 2080 Super. Even if its equivalent 30-series card is the 3080 Ti, Nvidia's Ampere architecture can now deliver similar performance for half the price. So, if you're in the market for a mid-range GPU, you should go for NVIDIA's latest to get the best balance between price, performance, and efficiency.

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