NVIDIA RTX 4080 vs AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT
Side-by-side local AI comparison: VRAM, memory bandwidth, model compatibility, and estimated tokens per second across 107 open-weight models.
Quick verdict
NVIDIA RTX 4080 is faster for local AI inference, but only on memory bandwidth (40.0% more). Both GPUs have 16 GB VRAM and run the exact same 48 models natively; neither fits anything the other can't. Note: NVIDIA RTX 4080 uses CUDA while AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT uses ROCM; software ecosystem matters for your framework.
Specs comparison
| Spec | NVIDIA RTX 4080 | AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| Memory type | GDDR6X | GDDR6 |
| Bandwidth | 717 GB/s(+40%) | 512 GB/s |
| Architecture | Ada Lovelace | RDNA 2 |
| Backend | CUDA | ROCM |
| Tier | Consumer | Consumer |
| Released | 2022 | 2020 |
| Models (native) | 48 | 48 |
Estimated tokens per second
Computed from memory bandwidth and model active-parameter weight. Assumes model fits natively in VRAM.
| Model | NVIDIA RTX 4080 | AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT | Delta |
|---|---|---|---|
| Llama 3.3 70B Instruct(70B) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Qwen 3.6 27B(27B) | 39.6 t/s(Q3_K_M) | 29.5 t/s(Q3_K_M) | +34% |
| Llama 3.1 8B Instruct(8B) | 58.5 t/s(Q8_0) | 43.1 t/s(Q8_0) | +36% |
| Qwen 2.5 7B Instruct(7.6B) | 65.7 t/s(Q8_0) | 48.4 t/s(Q8_0) | +36% |
Delta is NVIDIA RTX 4080 relative to AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT, compared at the highest quantization that fits natively on both cards.
Only NVIDIA RTX 4080 can run(0)
No exclusive models: AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT can run everything NVIDIA RTX 4080 can.
Only AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT can run(0)
No exclusive models: NVIDIA RTX 4080 can run everything AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT can.
Both run natively(48)
These models fit in VRAM on both GPUs. Bandwidth determines which runs them faster.
- Qwen 3.5 35B-A3B (MoE)186.7 t/svs98.9 t/s
- Qwen 3.6 35B-A3B (MoE)186.7 t/svs98.9 t/s
- Ornith 1.5 35B-A3B (MoE)186.7 t/svs98.9 t/s
- Gemma 4 31B40.8 t/svs30.4 t/s
- Qwen3 30B-A3B (MoE)142.4 t/svs77.1 t/s
- Muse Glimmer 30B40.6 t/svs30.1 t/s
- Gemma 2 27B Instruct41.5 t/svs30.7 t/s
- Gemma 3 27B Instruct46.5 t/svs34.5 t/s
- Qwen 3.6 27B39.6 t/svs29.5 t/s
- UI-Mate 27B39.6 t/svs29.5 t/s
- Bonsai 27B62.1 t/svs47.6 t/s
- Bonsai 2 27B71.2 t/svs55.2 t/s
- Qwen 3.8 27B39.6 t/svs29.5 t/s
- Gemma 4 26B (MoE)167.9 t/svs97.1 t/s
- Mistral Small 3.1 24B Instruct43.8 t/svs32.3 t/s
- Mistral Small 22B43 t/svs32 t/s
- +32 more on both
Which should you choose?
- • Faster token generation is the priority
- • You rely on CUDA-based tools (PyTorch, vLLM, Ollama)
- • You want the newer architecture and longer driver support lifecycle
- • Price or availability decides it: AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT has no VRAM, bandwidth or backend advantage over NVIDIA RTX 4080
Frequently asked questions
- Which is better for local AI, the NVIDIA RTX 4080 or AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT?
- For local AI inference, the NVIDIA RTX 4080 has the edge. It offers 16 GB VRAM (vs 16 GB) and 717 GB/s bandwidth (vs 512 GB/s), letting it run 48 models natively in VRAM vs 48 for its rival.
- How much VRAM does the NVIDIA RTX 4080 have vs the AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT?
- The NVIDIA RTX 4080 has 16 GB of GDDR6X at 717 GB/s. The AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT has 16 GB of GDDR6 at 512 GB/s. Both GPUs have the same VRAM amount; bandwidth determines which generates tokens faster.
- Can the NVIDIA RTX 4080 run Llama 3.3 70B?
- The NVIDIA RTX 4080 can run Llama 3.3 70B with CPU offload at Q3_K_M, but at reduced speed.
- Can the AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT run Llama 3.3 70B?
- The AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT can run Llama 3.3 70B with CPU offload at Q3_K_M, but at reduced speed.
- What is the difference between the NVIDIA RTX 4080 and AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT for AI?
- The key difference for AI inference is VRAM and memory bandwidth. The NVIDIA RTX 4080 has 16 GB VRAM at 717 GB/s (CUDA backend). The AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT has 16 GB VRAM at 512 GB/s (ROCM backend). VRAM determines which models fit; bandwidth determines tokens per second. The NVIDIA RTX 4080 runs 48 models natively vs 48 for the AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT.