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 GTX 1060 3GB vs GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPU 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 GTX 1060 3GB vs GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPU: 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 GTX 1060 3GB

2016

Why buy it

✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 49.3 vs 0 G3D/$ ($199 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPU across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 3 GB vs 6 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
❌2016 hardware with 3 GB of VRAM already sits in legacy territory for modern games.
❌71.4% higher power demand at 120W vs 70W.

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPU

2024

Why buy it

✅17.7% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
✅100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (6 GB vs 3 GB).
✅Better long-term bet: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.
✅Draws 70W instead of 120W, a 50W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 49.3 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $199 MSRP).

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPU is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 17.7% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 3.3% in PassMark G3D (10,143 vs 9,815), so the answer here is pretty clean.

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

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 6 GB vs 3 GB of VRAM, the newer upscaling stack, DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack, a 8nm process instead of 16nm, and 18 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 GTX 1060 3GB makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and some 1440p, GeForce GTX 1060 3GB is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and some 1440p headroom, GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPU has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce GTX 1060 3GB vs GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPU Technical Specifications

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

GeForce GTX 1060 3GB

The GeForce GTX 1060 3GB is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in August 18 2016. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 1506 MHz to 1708 MHz. It has 1152 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 120W. Manufactured using 16 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 9,815 points. Launch price was $199.

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPU

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPU is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in February 2 2024. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1042 MHz to 1470 MHz. It has 2304 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 70W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 18 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 10,143 points. Launch price was $179.

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Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 1060 3GB scores 9,815 and the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPU reaches 10,143 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 3.3% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 1060 3GB is built on Pascal while the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPU uses Ampere, both on 16 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 1,152 (GeForce GTX 1060 3GB) vs 2,304 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPU). Raw compute: 3.935 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060 3GB) vs 6.774 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPU). Boost clocks: 1708 MHz vs 1470 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060 3GB	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPU
G3D Mark Score	9,815	10,143+3%
Architecture	Pascal	Ampere
Process Node	16 nm	8 nm
Shading Units	1152	2304+100%
Compute (TFLOPS)	3.935 TFLOPS	6.774 TFLOPS+72%
Boost Clock	1708 MHz+16%	1470 MHz
ROPs	48+50%	32
TMUs	72	72
L1 Cache	0.42 MB	2.3 MB+448%
L2 Cache	1.5 MB	2 MB+33%

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Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPU supports the newer DLSS 2 Super Resolution, whereas the GeForce GTX 1060 3GB is capped at Upscaling support.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060 3GB	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPU
Upscaling Tech	Upscaling support	DLSS 2 Super Resolution
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	NVIDIA Reflex

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Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GTX 1060 3GB has 3 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPU carries 6 GB. GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPU gives you 100% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bandwidth: 192 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1060 3GB) vs 168 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPU) — a 14.3% advantage for the GeForce GTX 1060 3GB. Memory bus width is 192-bit on the GeForce GTX 1060 3GB and 96-bit on the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPU. L2 Cache: 1.5 MB (GeForce GTX 1060 3GB) vs 2 MB (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPU) — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPU has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060 3GB	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPU
VRAM Capacity	3 GB	6 GB+100%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	192 GB/s+14%	168 GB/s
Bus Width	192-bit+100%	96-bit
L2 Cache	1.5 MB	2 MB+33%

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Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12.1 (GeForce GTX 1060 3GB) vs 12.2 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPU). Vulkan: 1.1 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.5 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060 3GB	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPU
DirectX	12.1	12.2
Vulkan	1.1	1.3+18%
OpenGL	4.5	4.6+2%
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 4.0 (GeForce GTX 1060 3GB) vs 7th Gen NVENC (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPU). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP6 vs 5th Gen NVDEC. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC (GeForce GTX 1060 3GB) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (Decode) (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPU).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060 3GB	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPU
Encoder	NVENC 4.0	7th Gen NVENC
Decoder	PureVideo HD VP6	5th Gen NVDEC
Codecs	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (Decode)

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Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 1060 3GB draws 120W versus the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPU's 70W — a 52.6% difference. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPU is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 400W (GeForce GTX 1060 3GB) vs 500W (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPU). Power connectors: 6-pin vs Mobile. Card length: 250mm vs 0mm, occupying 2 vs 0 slots. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 80°C.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060 3GB	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPU
TDP	120W	70W-42%
Recommended PSU	400W-20%	500W
Power Connector	6-pin	Mobile
Length	250mm	0mm
Height	111mm	0mm
Slots	2	0-100%
Temp (Load)	75°C-6%	80°C
Perf/Watt	81.8	144.9+77%

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Value Analysis

The newer card here is GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPU (2024 vs 2016).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060 3GB	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPU
MSRP	$199	—
Codename	GP106	GA107
Release	August 18 2016	February 2 2024
Ranking	#272	#252

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