I'm choosing between two used graphics cards priced at about $110: an EVGA triple-fan GTX 1080 Ti with 11GB of VRAM and an ASUS dual-fan RTX 3060 OC with 8GB. The PC will mainly be used for 1080p gaming, and I'm also considering resale value because I'll probably flip the build later. I'm not looking for advice to simply spend more—I'd like to know which of these two is the better buy.
3 Answers
Between these exact models, I’d lean toward the RTX 3060 8GB. It’s newer, has better ongoing driver support, DLSS, hardware ray-tracing features, and is generally easier to resell. The GTX 1080 Ti can still deliver strong 1080p performance, but it’s much older and lacks those newer features. Just don’t expect either card to run ray tracing particularly well at high settings.
Both cards are perfectly usable for 1080p if your expectations are reasonable; you don’t need ultra settings or 4K to enjoy them. The 1080 Ti may win in raw raster performance, while the 3060 offers newer features and better platform longevity. If resale is important, I’d choose the 3060, but check its condition and temperatures carefully since the dual-fan cooler may run warmer than the triple-fan 1080 Ti.
The GTX 1080 Ti is still a powerful card in traditional games, and its 11GB of VRAM is useful. However, the 3060 8GB is a cut-down version and can be noticeably slower than the 12GB model, so the price difference matters. For a budget 1080p build that you plan to resell, the 3060 is probably the safer choice because buyers tend to prefer the newer RTX branding and features.
That makes sense. I’m only targeting 1080p, so I’m mainly trying to avoid buying something that will be difficult to sell later.