GeForce GTX 1060 3GB 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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (G3D Mark) per dollar. 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

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Per Dollar GeForce RTX 3060

#15

Radeon RX 6500 XT

MSRP: $199|Avg: $150

109%

#16

GeForce RTX 3070

MSRP: $499|Avg: $200

108%

#17

Radeon RX 6700

MSRP: $379|Avg: $300

107%

#18

Radeon RX 6600 XT

MSRP: $379|Avg: $170

105%

#19

Radeon RX590 GME

MSRP: $173|Avg: $115

105%

#20

Radeon RX 6650 XT

MSRP: $399|Avg: $230

104%

#21

GeForce RTX 5060 Ti

MSRP: $379|Avg: $379

103%

#22

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

MSRP: $169|Avg: $179

102%

#23

GeForce RTX 3050 8GB

MSRP: $249|Avg: $209

102%

#24

Radeon RX 6600 LE

MSRP: $329|Avg: $160

102%

#25

GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8GB

MSRP: $379|Avg: $379

101%

#26

Radeon RX 7700 XT

MSRP: $449|Avg: $380

101%

#27

GeForce RTX 4060 Ti

MSRP: $399|Avg: $380

101%

#28

Radeon RX 6750 GRE 10GB

MSRP: $269|Avg: $318

100%

#29

Radeon RX 6700 XT

MSRP: $479|Avg: $230

100%

#30

GeForce RTX 3060

MSRP: $329|Avg: $289

100%

#31

Radeon RX 7400

MSRP: $199|Avg: $199

100%

#32

Radeon RX 9060 XT 16 GB

MSRP: $349|Avg: $349

99%

#33

Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB

MSRP: $349|Avg: $349

98%

#34

Radeon RX 5300

MSRP: $129|Avg: $50

96%

#35

GeForce GTX 1650 Ti

MSRP: $150|Avg: $77

95%

#36

Radeon RX 6400

MSRP: $159|Avg: $139

95%

#37

GeForce RTX 3070 Ti

MSRP: $599|Avg: $330

94%

#38

Arc A750

MSRP: $289|Avg: $229

94%

#39

Radeon RX 6800

MSRP: $579|Avg: $370

93%

#40

GeForce RTX 3060 8GB

MSRP: $329|Avg: $280

92%

#41

Radeon RX 6750 XT

MSRP: $549|Avg: $320

92%

#42

GeForce RTX 4070 Ti

MSRP: $799|Avg: $590

91%

#43

GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB

MSRP: $429|Avg: $429

90%

#44

GeForce RTX 5070

MSRP: $549|Avg: $550

89%

#45

Radeon RX 7600 XT

MSRP: $329|Avg: $330

89%

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Comparison

About G3D Mark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

⚠️ Generational Difference

The GeForce RTX 3060 uses modern memory architecture. 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 GTX 1060 3GB 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 73.2% higher G3D Mark score and 300% more VRAM (12 GB vs 3 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTX 1060 3GB.

Insight	GeForce GTX 1060 3GB	GeForce RTX 3060
Performance	❌Lower raw frame rates (-73.2%)	✅Leading raw performance (+73.2%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2016 / Pascal (2016−2021))	🔮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	Standard Size (250mm)	📏 Compact / SFF Friendly

💎 Value Proposition

The GeForce GTX 1060 3GB offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $50 versus $289 for the GeForce RTX 3060, it costs 83% less. While it maintains lower overall performance, this results in a 233.8% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	GeForce GTX 1060 3GB	GeForce RTX 3060
Cost Efficiency	✅Better overall value (+233.8%)	❌Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅More affordable ($50)	⚠️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.

GeForce GTX 1060 3GB Benchmark Check

GeForce RTX 3060 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 1060 3GB and GeForce RTX 3060

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 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 GTX 1060 3GB scores 9,815 versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 16,995 — the GeForce RTX 3060 leads by 73.2%. The GeForce GTX 1060 3GB is built on Pascal while the GeForce RTX 3060 uses Ampere, both on 16 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 1,152 (GeForce GTX 1060 3GB) vs 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060). Raw compute: 3.935 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060 3GB) vs 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060). Boost clocks: 1708 MHz vs 1777 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060 3GB	GeForce RTX 3060
G3D Mark Score	9,815	16,995+73%
Architecture	Pascal	Ampere
Process Node	16 nm	8 nm
Shading Units	1152	3584+211%
Compute (TFLOPS)	3.935 TFLOPS	12.74 TFLOPS+224%
Boost Clock	1708 MHz	1777 MHz+4%
ROPs	48	48
TMUs	72	112+56%
L1 Cache	0.42 MB	3.5 MB+733%
L2 Cache	1.5 MB	3 MB+100%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060 3GB	GeForce RTX 3060
Upscaling Tech	FSR 2.1 (Compatible)	DLSS 2.0
Frame Generation	FSR 3 (Compatible)	FSR 3 / AFMF (Compatible)
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	Standard	NVIDIA Reflex

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GTX 1060 3GB comes with 3 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3060 has 12 GB. The GeForce RTX 3060 offers 300% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 192 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1060 3GB) vs 360 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060) — a 87.5% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3060. Bus width: 192-bit vs 192-bit. L2 Cache: 1.5 MB (GeForce GTX 1060 3GB) vs 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060) — the GeForce RTX 3060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060 3GB	GeForce RTX 3060
VRAM Capacity	3 GB	12 GB+300%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	192 GB/s	360 GB/s+88%
Bus Width	192-bit	192-bit
L2 Cache	1.5 MB	3 MB+100%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12.1 (GeForce GTX 1060 3GB) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060). 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 3060
DirectX	12.1	12 Ultimate
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 NVENC 7th Gen (GeForce RTX 3060). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP6 vs NVDEC 5th Gen. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC (GeForce GTX 1060 3GB) vs AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060 3GB	GeForce RTX 3060
Encoder	NVENC 4.0	NVENC 7th Gen
Decoder	PureVideo HD VP6	NVDEC 5th Gen
Codecs	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC	AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 1060 3GB draws 120W versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 170W — a 34.5% difference. The GeForce GTX 1060 3GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 400W (GeForce GTX 1060 3GB) vs 550W (GeForce RTX 3060). Power connectors: 6-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 250mm vs 242mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 75.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060 3GB	GeForce RTX 3060
TDP	120W-29%	170W
Recommended PSU	400W-27%	550W
Power Connector	6-pin	8-pin
Length	250mm	242mm
Height	111mm	112mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	75°C	75
Perf/Watt	81.8	100.0+22%

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 1060 3GB launched at $199 MSRP and currently averages $50, while the GeForce RTX 3060 launched at $329 and now averages $289. The GeForce GTX 1060 3GB costs 82.7% less ($239 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 196.3 (GeForce GTX 1060 3GB) vs 58.8 (GeForce RTX 3060) — the GeForce GTX 1060 3GB offers 233.8% better value. The GeForce RTX 3060 is the newer GPU (2021 vs 2016).