GeForce 256 vs GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU

G3D Mark is a standard benchmark that measures graphics performance in real-world gaming scenarios. It simplifies comparing cards from different brands, where higher scores directly correlate with better fps and smoother gaming experiences.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (G3D Mark) per dollar. The GeForce 256 is positioned at rank #750 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar GeForce 256

#737

Radeon RX 550X (móvel)

MSRP: $35|Avg: $35

361900%

#739

GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $150

328067%

#740

GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $100

327200%

#744

GeForce GTX 1050 (Mobile)

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50

297533%

#745

Radeon RX 6300

MSRP: $60|Avg: $40

295500%

#747

GeForce2 MX/MX 400

MSRP: $129|Avg: $15

100%

#748

GeForce4 MX 440

MSRP: $149|Avg: $49

100%

#749

RADEON 7200

MSRP: $99|Avg: $45

100%

#750

GeForce 256

MSRP: $199|Avg: $20

100%

#751

GeForce2 MX

MSRP: $129|Avg: $49

67%

#752

GeForce4 440

MSRP: $469|Avg: $49

33%

#753

GeForce3

MSRP: $499|Avg: $49

33%

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Per Dollar GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU

#16

Radeon RX 7600S

MSRP: $269|Avg: $250

110%

#19

Radeon RX 5600

MSRP: $229|Avg: $150

97%

#22

Radeon RX 7700

MSRP: $449|Avg: $399

94%

#25

Radeon RX 7600M XT

MSRP: $329|Avg: $300

85%

#28

Radeon RX 6650M XT

MSRP: $400|Avg: $400

81%

#29

GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#30

Radeon 8050S

MSRP: $400|Avg: $400

77%

#31

Radeon RX 8050S

MSRP: $400|Avg: $400

77%

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Comparison

About G3D Mark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 263300% higher G3D Mark score and 1100% more VRAM (6 GB vs 512 MB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce 256.

Insight	GeForce 256	GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU
Performance	❌Lower raw frame rates (-263300%)	✅Leading raw performance (+263300%)
Longevity	Pascal (2016−2021) (14nm)	🔮Strong Longevity (Ampere (2020−2025) / 8nm)
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	✨ DLSS 2 Upscaling
VRAM	❌ Less VRAM capacity	🎮 High Capacity (6 GB)
Efficiency	⚡ Higher Power Consumption	💡 Excellent Perf/Watt
Case Fit	📏 Compact / SFF Friendly	—

💎 Value Proposition

While current pricing data is unavailable, the GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU remains the clear technical winner. Check real-time availability to determine if the performance gap justifies the market price.

Performance Check

Real-world benchmarks and performance projections based on comprehensive hardware analysis and comparative metrics. Values represent expected performance on High/Ultra settings at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K. Modeled using a Ryzen 7 7800X3D reference profile to minimize specific CPU bottlenecks.

Note: Performance behavior can vary per game. Specific architectures may perform better or worse depending on game engine optimizations and API implementation.

GeForce 256 Benchmark Check

GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce 256 and GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU

GeForce 256

The GeForce 256 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in February 20 2019. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 937 MHz to 1038 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 10W. Manufactured using 14 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5 points.

GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU

The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in October 12 2022. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1320 MHz to 1777 MHz. It has 3584 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 170W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 28 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 13,170 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce 256 scores 5 versus the GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU's 13,170 — the GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU leads by 263300%. The GeForce 256 is built on Pascal while the GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU uses Ampere, both on 14 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 384 (GeForce 256) vs 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU). Raw compute: 0.7972 TFLOPS (GeForce 256) vs 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU). Boost clocks: 1038 MHz vs 1777 MHz.

Feature	GeForce 256	GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU
G3D Mark Score	5	13,170+263300%
Architecture	Pascal	Ampere
Process Node	14 nm	8 nm
Shading Units	384	3584+833%
Compute (TFLOPS)	0.7972 TFLOPS	12.74 TFLOPS+1498%
Boost Clock	1038 MHz	1777 MHz+71%
ROPs	16	48+200%
TMUs	24	112+367%
L1 Cache	0.14 MB	3.5 MB+2400%
L2 Cache	0.5 MB	3 MB+500%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce 256	GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU
Upscaling Tech	FSR 1.0 (Software)	DLSS 2.0
Frame Generation	Not Supported	FSR 3 / AFMF (Compatible)
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	Standard	NVIDIA Reflex

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce 256 comes with 512 MB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU has 6 GB. The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU offers 1100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 128-bit vs 192-bit. L2 Cache: 0.5 MB (GeForce 256) vs 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) — the GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce 256	GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU
VRAM Capacity	0.5 GB	6 GB+1100%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	Unknown	336 GB/s
Bus Width	128-bit	192-bit+50%
L2 Cache	0.5 MB	3 MB+500%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 7.0 (GeForce 256) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU). OpenGL: 1.2 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 1 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce 256	GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU
DirectX	7.0	12 Ultimate+71%
OpenGL	1.2	4.6+283%
Max Displays	1	4+300%

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: None (GeForce 256) vs NVENC (7th Gen) (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU). Decoder: MPEG-2 Motion Comp vs NVDEC (5th Gen). Supported codecs: MPEG-2 (GeForce 256) vs H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode),VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU).

Feature	GeForce 256	GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU
Encoder	None	NVENC (7th Gen)
Decoder	MPEG-2 Motion Comp	NVDEC (5th Gen)
Codecs	MPEG-2	H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode),VP9

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce 256 draws 10W versus the GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU's 170W — a 177.8% difference. The GeForce 256 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce 256) vs 500W (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU). Power connectors: Legacy vs Mobile. Typical load temperature: 60°C vs 75°C.

Feature	GeForce 256	GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU
TDP	10W-94%	170W
Recommended PSU	350W-30%	500W
Power Connector	Legacy	Mobile
Length	165mm	—
Height	100mm	—
Slots	1	—
Temp (Load)	60°C-20%	75°C
Perf/Watt	0.5	77.5+15400%