  We compute nonequilibrium dynamics of plasma instabilities in
classical-statistical lattice gauge theory in 3+1 dimensions. The simulations
are done for the first time for the SU(3) gauge group relevant for quantum
chromodynamics. We find a qualitatively similar behavior as compared to earlier
investigations in SU(2) gauge theory. The characteristic growth rates are about
25 % lower for given energy density, such that the isotropization process is
slower. Measured in units of the characteristic screening mass, the primary
growth rate is independent of the number of colors.
