As a seasoned tech enthusiast with over 15 years of experience in optimizing content for search engines, I’ve seen how NVIDIA’s GPU launches reshape the gaming and computing landscape. The RTX 30 series, powered by the Ampere architecture, marked a pivotal moment in graphics technology when it debuted back in 2020. Even in 2025, with newer generations like the RTX 50 series on the horizon, understanding the RTX 3080 release date, RTX 3090 release date, and the broader RTX 30 series release dates remains crucial for PC builders, gamers, and collectors alike. This guide dives deep into the historical rollout, original launch prices, performance legacies, and current market value—drawing from official NVIDIA announcements and reliable tech reviews to ensure accuracy and trustworthiness.
Whether you’re researching “when did the 3080 come out” or comparing “RTX 30 series release date” to today’s options, this article provides expert analysis backed by data. Let’s break it down step by step.
The RTX 30 Series Announcement: Setting the Stage for a GPU Revolution
NVIDIA unveiled the RTX 30 series on September 1, 2020, during a virtual event that hyped up the Ampere architecture’s advancements in ray tracing, AI-driven DLSS, and raw performance. This “RTX 3000 series release date” for the announcement kicked off a wave of excitement, promising up to 2x the performance of the previous RTX 20 series at competitive prices. The lineup included models from entry-level to flagship, but the initial focus was on high-end cards like the RTX 3080 and RTX 3090, which addressed the growing demands of 4K gaming and content creation.
The series faced unprecedented challenges post-launch, including global chip shortages, cryptocurrency mining booms, and scalping, which inflated prices far beyond MSRP. Fast-forward to 2025, and these cards are still viable for many users, often available used or refurbished at a fraction of their peak inflated costs. If you’re wondering about the “NVIDIA 30 series release date” in context, it spanned from September 2020 to early 2022, with Ti variants extending the family.
NVIDIA Officially Announces RTX 30-series LHR Lineup …
RTX 3080 Release Date and Launch Price: The Sweet Spot for Gamers
When did the 3080 come out? The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 officially launched on September 17, 2020, just over two weeks after the series announcement. Priced at an MSRP of $699, it was positioned as the value king of the lineup, offering 10GB of GDDR6X VRAM, 8,704 CUDA cores, and groundbreaking performance that doubled the RTX 2080 in many scenarios.
The “3080 launch price” of $699 seemed like a steal at the time, especially for its 320W TDP and support for HDMI 2.1, enabling 8K output. However, real-world availability was a nightmare—stock sold out in seconds, and resale prices soared to over $1,500 during the height of the shortage. In my experience optimizing tech content, searches for “RTX 3080 release date” spiked dramatically around launch, reflecting the hype.
RTX 3080 Specs and Legacy in 2025
- CUDA Cores: 8,704
- Boost Clock: Up to 1.71 GHz
- Memory: 10GB GDDR6X at 19 Gbps
- Ray Tracing Cores: 2nd Gen, 68
- Tensor Cores: 3rd Gen, 272
Today, the RTX 3080 holds up well for 1440p and 4K gaming, especially with DLSS 3 updates via NVIDIA’s Frame Generation tech. If you’re building a rig in 2025, it’s a budget-friendly alternative to the RTX 40 series, often found for $400–$600 used. Pro tip: Check compatibility with your PSU, as its power draw can be demanding.
Amazon.com: GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 3080 GAMING OC 10G Graphics Card …
RTX 3090 Release Date and Launch Price: The Flagship Beast for Creators
Shifting to the top tier, when did the 3090 come out? The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 hit shelves on September 24, 2020, a week after the 3080. With a launch price of $1,499, it was marketed as the ultimate GPU for 8K gaming and professional workloads, boasting 24GB of GDDR6X VRAM and 10,496 CUDA cores.
The “RTX 3090 release date” was eagerly anticipated for its massive specs, including a 350W TDP and NVLink support for multi-GPU setups. Like its sibling, it suffered from instant sellouts and price gouging, with some units reselling for double the MSRP. In 2025, the 3090 remains a go-to for video editors and AI researchers due to its VRAM advantage, though the later RTX 3090 Ti (launched March 29, 2022, at $1,999) edged it out in raw power.
RTX 3090 Specs and Modern Relevance
- CUDA Cores: 10,496
- Boost Clock: Up to 1.70 GHz
- Memory: 24GB GDDR6X at 19.5 Gbps
- Ray Tracing Cores: 2nd Gen, 82
- Tensor Cores: 3rd Gen, 328
For content creators, its legacy is unmatched in the 30 series—ideal for 8K video rendering or complex simulations. Current prices hover around $800–$1,200 used, making it a smart pick over entry-level 40-series cards.
Amazon.com: nVidia GeForce RTX 3090 Ti Founders Edition : Electronics
Full RTX 30 Series Release Date Timeline: All Models and Variants
The “RTX 30 series release date” wasn’t a single event but a phased rollout. Here’s a comprehensive table summarizing the NVIDIA 30 series release dates, launch prices, and key features, based on official timelines.
| Model | Release Date | Launch Price (MSRP) | VRAM | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RTX 3090 | September 24, 2020 | $1,499 | 24GB GDDR6X | Flagship for 8K, NVLink support |
| RTX 3080 | September 17, 2020 | $699 | 10GB GDDR6X | Balanced 4K gaming powerhouse |
| RTX 3070 | October 29, 2020 | $499 | 8GB GDDR6 | Mid-range value king |
| RTX 3060 Ti | December 2, 2020 | $399 | 8GB GDDR6 | Entry to high-end performance |
| RTX 3060 | February 25, 2021 | $329 | 12GB GDDR6 | Budget ray tracing option |
| RTX 3080 Ti | June 3, 2021 | $1,199 | 12GB GDDR6X | Enhanced 3080 with mining limiter |
| RTX 3070 Ti | June 10, 2021 | $599 | 8GB GDDR6X | Upgraded mid-range with faster memory |
| RTX 3090 Ti | March 29, 2022 | $1,999 | 24GB GDDR6X | Ultimate overkill for pros |
| RTX 3050 | January 27, 2022 | $249 | 8GB GDDR6 | Entry-level for 1080p gaming |
This “NVIDIA 3000 series release date” schedule reflects NVIDIA’s strategy to stagger launches, building hype while addressing supply issues. Later models like the Ti variants included hash rate limiters to deter miners, stabilizing availability.
RTX 3080 Launch Price Analysis: Value Then vs. Now
Diving deeper into the “3080 launch price,” the $699 MSRP was revolutionary, offering near-flagship performance at a mid-tier cost. Compared to the RTX 2080’s $699 launch (but lower real-world value), it was a leap forward. In 2025, with inflation and newer tech, that price equates to exceptional bang-for-buck on the secondary market—often outperforming a new RTX 4060 in rasterization while supporting ray tracing.
However, post-launch scalping pushed averages to $1,200+, a trend . If buying today, factor in power efficiency; the 30 series guzzles more energy than 40/50 series equivalents.
Why the RTX 30 Series Still Matters in 2025: Expert Insights
“RTX 30 series release date” and “when did the 3090 come out” continue to rank high because these cards power millions of systems worldwide. Their Ampere architecture laid the groundwork for modern AI features, and with updates like Resizable BAR, they remain competitive.
If you’re upgrading, compare to current options: An RTX 3080 edges out an RTX 4070 in some workloads but lacks AV1 encoding. For trustworthiness, always buy from reputable sources like NVIDIA partners or verified resellers to avoid fakes.
In conclusion, the RTX 30 series transformed PC gaming, starting with the RTX 3080 release date on September 17, 2020, and the RTX 3090 a week later. Whether for nostalgia or practical builds, this timeline and analysis should help you make informed decisions. For the latest deals or specs, check NVIDIA’s official site or trusted retailers.
