GeForce 945M vs GeForce RTX 3060
GeForce 945M
Popular choices:
GeForce RTX 3060
Popular choices:
Performance Spectrum - GPU
About G3D Mark
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 945M is positioned at rank #100 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Balanced cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar GeForce 945M
Performance Per Dollar GeForce RTX 3060
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce RTX 3060 is significantly newer (2021 vs 2015). The GeForce RTX 3060 likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The GeForce 945M lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce RTX 3060 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 705.8% higher G3D Mark score and 2300% more VRAM (12 GB vs 512 MB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce 945M.
| Insight | GeForce 945M | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-705.8%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+705.8%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / Maxwell (2014−2017)) | 🔮Strong Longevity (Ampere / 8nm) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | ✨ DLSS 2 Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | 🎮 High Capacity (12 GB) |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | — | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce RTX 3060 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Although it costs $289 (vs $98), its significant performance lead justifies the premium, offering 173.3% better value per dollar than the GeForce 945M.
| Insight | GeForce 945M | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+173.3%) |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($98) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($289) |
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of GeForce 945M and GeForce RTX 3060
GeForce 945M
The GeForce 945M is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in October 27 2015. It features the Maxwell architecture. The core clock ranges from 928 MHz to 1020 MHz. It has 640 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 75W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 2,109 points.
GeForce RTX 3060
The GeForce RTX 3060 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 12 2021. 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: 16,995 points. Launch price was $329.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the GeForce 945M scores 2,109 versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 16,995 — the GeForce RTX 3060 leads by 705.8%. The GeForce 945M is built on Maxwell while the GeForce RTX 3060 uses Ampere, both on 28 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 640 (GeForce 945M) vs 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060). Raw compute: 1.306 TFLOPS (GeForce 945M) vs 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060). Boost clocks: 1020 MHz vs 1777 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce 945M | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 2,109 | 16,995+706% |
| Architecture | Maxwell | Ampere |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 8 nm |
| Shading Units | 640 | 3584+460% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 1.306 TFLOPS | 12.74 TFLOPS+875% |
| Boost Clock | 1020 MHz | 1777 MHz+74% |
| ROPs | 16 | 48+200% |
| TMUs | 40 | 112+180% |
| L1 Cache | 0.31 MB | 3.5 MB+1029% |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB | 3 MB+50% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce 945M | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 945M comes with 512 MB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3060 has 12 GB. The GeForce RTX 3060 offers 2300% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 80 GB/s (GeForce 945M) vs 360 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060) — a 350% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3060. Bus width: 128-bit vs 192-bit. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GeForce 945M) vs 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060) — the GeForce RTX 3060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce 945M | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 0.5 GB | 12 GB+2300% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 80 GB/s | 360 GB/s+350% |
| Bus Width | 128-bit | 192-bit+50% |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB | 3 MB+50% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 (11_0) (GeForce 945M) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060). Vulkan: 1.1 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce 945M | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 (11_0) | 12 Ultimate |
| Vulkan | 1.1 | 1.3+18% |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 2 | 4+100% |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: NVENC (Maxwell) (GeForce 945M) vs NVENC 7th Gen (GeForce RTX 3060). Decoder: PureVideo HD (VP6) vs NVDEC 5th Gen. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265,MPEG-2 (GeForce 945M) vs AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060).
| Feature | GeForce 945M | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC (Maxwell) | NVENC 7th Gen |
| Decoder | PureVideo HD (VP6) | NVDEC 5th Gen |
| Codecs | H.264,H.265,MPEG-2 | AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce 945M draws 75W versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 170W — a 77.6% difference. The GeForce 945M is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce 945M) vs 550W (GeForce RTX 3060). Power connectors: Legacy vs 8-pin. Card length: 0mm vs 242mm, occupying 0 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75 vs 75.
| Feature | GeForce 945M | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 75W-56% | 170W |
| Recommended PSU | 350W-36% | 550W |
| Power Connector | Legacy | 8-pin |
| Length | 0mm | 242mm |
| Height | 0mm | 112mm |
| Slots | 0-100% | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 75 | 75 |
| Perf/Watt | 28.1 | 100.0+256% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce 945M costs 66.1% less ($191 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 21.5 (GeForce 945M) vs 58.8 (GeForce RTX 3060) — the GeForce RTX 3060 offers 173.5% better value. The GeForce RTX 3060 is the newer GPU (2021 vs 2015).
| Feature | GeForce 945M | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | — | $329 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $98-66% | $289 |
| Performance per Dollar | 21.5 | 58.8+173% |
| Codename | GM107 | GA106 |
| Release | October 27 2015 | January 12 2021 |
| Ranking | #671 | #114 |
Top Performing GPUs
The most powerful gpus ranked by G3D Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar GPU comparisons based on GeForce 945M and GeForce RTX 3060
