GeForce 9700M GT vs GeForce RTX 3060

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.

GeForce 9700M GT vs GeForce RTX 3060 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with Ryzen 7 9800X3D to isolate GPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

GeForce 9700M GT vs GeForce RTX 3060: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each GPU makes more sense in practice: raw FPS, VRAM, features, power draw, pricing, and long-term headroom.

GeForce 9700M GT

2008

Why buy it

✅Costs $129 less on MSRP ($200 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3060 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 512 MB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
❌2008 hardware with 512 MB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 1.6 vs 51.7 G3D/$ ($200 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

GeForce RTX 3060

2021

Why buy it

✅2022.9% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Delivers 3059.4% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 51.7 vs 1.6 G3D/$ ($329 MSRP vs $200 MSRP).
✅Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
✅2300% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 512 MB).
✅Better long-term bet: Ampere on 8nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer clear downsides in this head-to-head, aside from the usual pricing and availability swings.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

GeForce RTX 3060 is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 2022.9% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 5097.2% in PassMark G3D (16,995 vs 327), so the answer here is pretty clean.

Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?

GeForce RTX 3060 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 12 GB vs 512 MB of VRAM, the newer upscaling stack, DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack, a 8nm process instead of 65nm, and 28 vs 0 ray-tracing units. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

GeForce RTX 3060 makes the most sense to buy today. It is $129 more expensive on MSRP at $329 vs $200, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 3059.4% (51.7 vs 1.6), so the value case lines up with the gaming result.

GeForce 9700M GT vs GeForce RTX 3060 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

GeForce 9700M GT

The GeForce 9700M GT is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in July 15 2008. It features the G9x architecture. The core clock speed is 500 MHz. It has 224 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 150W. Manufactured using 65 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 327 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 9700M GT scores 327 versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 16,995 — the GeForce RTX 3060 leads by 5097.2%. The GeForce 9700M GT is built on G9x while the GeForce RTX 3060 uses Ampere, both on 65 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 224 (GeForce 9700M GT) vs 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060).

Feature	GeForce 9700M GT	GeForce RTX 3060
G3D Mark Score	327	16,995+5097%
Architecture	G9x	Ampere
Process Node	65 nm	8 nm
Shading Units	224	3584+1500%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce RTX 3060 supports the newer DLSS 2 Super Resolution, whereas the GeForce 9700M GT is capped at Upscaling support.

Feature	GeForce 9700M GT	GeForce RTX 3060
Upscaling Tech	Upscaling support	DLSS 2 Super Resolution
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	NVIDIA Reflex

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce 9700M GT has 512 MB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3060 carries 12 GB. GeForce RTX 3060 gives you 2300% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bus width is 64-bit on the GeForce 9700M GT and 192-bit on the GeForce RTX 3060.

Feature	GeForce 9700M GT	GeForce RTX 3060
VRAM Capacity	0.5 GB	12 GB+2300%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	Unknown	360 GB/s
Bus Width	64-bit	192-bit+200%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 11.1 (FL10_0) (GeForce 9700M GT) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060). OpenGL: 3.3 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce 9700M GT	GeForce RTX 3060
DirectX	11.1 (FL10_0)	12 Ultimate+8%
OpenGL	3.3	4.6+39%
Max Displays	2	4+100%

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: VP3 (GeForce 9700M GT) vs NVENC 7th Gen (GeForce RTX 3060). Decoder: VP3 vs NVDEC 5th Gen. Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce 9700M GT) vs AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060).

Feature	GeForce 9700M GT	GeForce RTX 3060
Encoder	VP3	NVENC 7th Gen
Decoder	VP3	NVDEC 5th Gen
Codecs	H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2	AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce 9700M GT draws 150W versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 170W — a 12.5% difference. The GeForce 9700M GT is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce 9700M GT) vs 550W (GeForce RTX 3060). Power connectors: Legacy vs 8-pin. Typical load temperature: 80°C vs 75.

Feature	GeForce 9700M GT	GeForce RTX 3060
TDP	150W-12%	170W
Recommended PSU	350W-36%	550W
Power Connector	Legacy	8-pin
Length	—	242mm
Height	—	112mm
Slots	0-100%	2
Temp (Load)	80°C	75-6%
Perf/Watt	2.2	100.0+4445%

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce 9700M GT came in at $200, while the GeForce RTX 3060 launched at $329. On MSRP, GeForce 9700M GT was 39.2% cheaper ($129 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 1.6 (GeForce 9700M GT) vs 51.7 (GeForce RTX 3060) — the GeForce RTX 3060 offers 3131.3% better value. The newer card here is GeForce RTX 3060 (2021 vs 2008).

Feature	GeForce 9700M GT	GeForce RTX 3060
MSRP	$200-39%	$329
Performance per Dollar	1.6	51.7+3131%
Codename	NB9E-GTX	GA106
Release	July 15 2008	January 12 2021
Ranking	#825	#114

Search GeForce 9700M GT on Amazon

Search GeForce RTX 3060 on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.