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 FX 5500 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 FX 5500 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 FX 5500

2021

Why buy it

✅Costs $292 less on MSRP ($37 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
✅Draws 25W instead of 170W, a 145W reduction.
✅Measures 171mm instead of 242mm, a 71mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3060 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 256 MB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
❌Older hardware, 256 MB of VRAM, and weaker feature support mean it will age faster in newer AAA releases.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0.2 vs 51.7 G3D/$ ($37 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

GeForce RTX 3060

2021

Why buy it

✅14548.0% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Delivers 23791.1% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 51.7 vs 0.2 G3D/$ ($329 MSRP vs $37 MSRP).
✅Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
✅4700% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 256 MB).
✅Better long-term bet: Ampere on 8nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌580% higher power demand at 170W vs 25W.
❌41.5% longer card at 242mm vs 171mm.

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 14548.0% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 212337.5% in PassMark G3D (16,995 vs 8), 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 256 MB of VRAM, the newer upscaling stack, DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack, a 8nm process instead of 12nm, 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 $292 more expensive on MSRP at $329 vs $37, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 23791.1% (51.7 vs 0.2), so the value case lines up with the gaming result.

GeForce FX 5500 vs GeForce RTX 3060 Technical Specifications

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

GeForce FX 5500

The GeForce FX 5500 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in December 17 2021. It features the Rankine architecture. The core clock ranges from 1065 MHz to 1320 MHz. It has 1024 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 25W. Manufactured using 12 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 8 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 FX 5500 scores 8 versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 16,995 — the GeForce RTX 3060 leads by 212337.5%. The GeForce FX 5500 is built on Rankine while the GeForce RTX 3060 uses Ampere, both on 12 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 1,024 (GeForce FX 5500) vs 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060). Raw compute: 2.703 TFLOPS (GeForce FX 5500) vs 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060). Boost clocks: 1320 MHz vs 1777 MHz.

Feature	GeForce FX 5500	GeForce RTX 3060
G3D Mark Score	8	16,995+212338%
Architecture	Rankine	Ampere
Process Node	12 nm	8 nm
Shading Units	1024	3584+250%
Compute (TFLOPS)	2.703 TFLOPS	12.74 TFLOPS+371%
Boost Clock	1320 MHz	1777 MHz+35%
ROPs	16	48+200%
TMUs	32	112+250%
L1 Cache	2 MB	3.5 MB+75%
L2 Cache	2 MB	3 MB+50%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce RTX 3060 supports the newer DLSS 2 Super Resolution, whereas the GeForce FX 5500 is capped at Upscaling support.

Feature	GeForce FX 5500	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 FX 5500 has 256 MB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3060 carries 12 GB. GeForce RTX 3060 gives you 4700% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bus width is 128-bit on the GeForce FX 5500 and 192-bit on the GeForce RTX 3060. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GeForce FX 5500) vs 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060) — the GeForce RTX 3060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce FX 5500	GeForce RTX 3060
VRAM Capacity	0.25 GB	12 GB+4700%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	Unknown	360 GB/s
Bus Width	128-bit	192-bit+50%
L2 Cache	2 MB	3 MB+50%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 9.0a (GeForce FX 5500) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060). Vulkan: None vs 1.3. OpenGL: 1.5 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce FX 5500	GeForce RTX 3060
DirectX	9.0a	12 Ultimate+33%
Vulkan	None	1.3
OpenGL	1.5	4.6+207%
Max Displays	2	4+100%

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: No (GeForce FX 5500) vs NVENC 7th Gen (GeForce RTX 3060). Decoder: No vs NVDEC 5th Gen.

Feature	GeForce FX 5500	GeForce RTX 3060
Encoder	No	NVENC 7th Gen
Decoder	No	NVDEC 5th Gen
Codecs		AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce FX 5500 draws 25W versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 170W — a 148.7% difference. The GeForce FX 5500 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce FX 5500) vs 550W (GeForce RTX 3060). Power connectors: Legacy vs 8-pin. Card length: 171mm vs 242mm, occupying 1 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 70°C vs 75.

Feature	GeForce FX 5500	GeForce RTX 3060
TDP	25W-85%	170W
Recommended PSU	350W-36%	550W
Power Connector	Legacy	8-pin
Length	171mm	242mm
Height	111mm	112mm
Slots	1-50%	2
Temp (Load)	70°C-7%	75
Perf/Watt	0.3	100.0+33233%

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce FX 5500 came in at $37, while the GeForce RTX 3060 launched at $329. On MSRP, GeForce FX 5500 was 88.8% cheaper ($292 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 0.2 (GeForce FX 5500) vs 51.7 (GeForce RTX 3060) — the GeForce RTX 3060 offers 25750% better value.

Feature	GeForce FX 5500	GeForce RTX 3060
MSRP	$37-89%	$329
Performance per Dollar	0.2	51.7+25750%
Codename	TU117S	GA106
Release	December 17 2021	January 12 2021
Ranking	#468	#114

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