GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB
VS
GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU

GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB vs GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU

NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB

2016Core: 1506 MHzBoost: 1709 MHz
VS
NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU

2022Core: 1320 MHzBoost: 1777 MHz

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. 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 Laptop GPU

#16
Radeon RX 7600S
MSRP: $269|Avg: $250
110%
#19
Radeon RX 5600
MSRP: $229|Avg: $150
97%
#22
Radeon RX 7700
MSRP: $449|Avg: $399
94%
#25
Radeon RX 7600M XT
MSRP: $329|Avg: $300
85%
#28
Radeon RX 6650M XT
MSRP: $400|Avg: $400
81%
#29
GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#30
Radeon 8050S
MSRP: $400|Avg: $400
77%
#31
Radeon RX 8050S
MSRP: $400|Avg: $400
77%
Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Comparison

About G3D Mark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

⚠️ Generational Difference

The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is significantly newer (2022 vs 2016). The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.

🚀 Performance Leadership

The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 30.9% higher G3D Mark score. However, the GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.

InsightGeForce GTX 1060 6 GBGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU
Performance
Lower raw frame rates (-30.9%)
Leading raw performance (+30.9%)
Longevity
🛑Obsolete Architecture (2016 / Pascal (2016−2021))
🔮Strong Longevity (Ampere (2020−2025) / 8nm)
Ecosystem
Supports FSR Upscaling
✨ DLSS 2 Upscaling
VRAM
✅ More VRAM (+33.3%)
🎮 High Capacity (6 GB)
Efficiency
Normal Efficiency
Normal Efficiency
Case Fit
Standard Size (250mm)

💎 Value Proposition

While current pricing data is unavailable, the GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU remains the clear technical winner. Check real-time availability to determine if the performance gap justifies the market price.

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 GTX 1060 6 GB and GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU

NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB

The GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in July 19 2016. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 1506 MHz to 1709 MHz. It has 1280 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 120W. Manufactured using 16 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 10,063 points. Launch price was $299.

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU

The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in October 12 2022. 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: 13,170 points.

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB scores 10,063 versus the GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU's 13,170 — the GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU leads by 30.9%. The GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB is built on Pascal while the GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU uses Ampere, both on 16 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 1,280 (GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB) vs 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU). Raw compute: 4.375 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB) vs 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU). Boost clocks: 1709 MHz vs 1777 MHz.

FeatureGeForce GTX 1060 6 GBGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU
G3D Mark Score
10,063
13,170+31%
Architecture
Pascal
Ampere
Process Node
16 nm
8 nm
Shading Units
1280
3584+180%
Compute (TFLOPS)
4.375 TFLOPS
12.74 TFLOPS+191%
Boost Clock
1709 MHz
1777 MHz+4%
ROPs
48
48
TMUs
80
112+40%
L1 Cache
0.47 MB
3.5 MB+645%
L2 Cache
1.5 MB
3 MB+100%

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

FeatureGeForce GTX 1060 6 GBGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU
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 6 GB comes with 8 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU has 6 GB. The GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB offers 33.3% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 192 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB) vs 336 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) — a 75% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU. Bus width: 192-bit vs 192-bit. L2 Cache: 1.5 MB (GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB) vs 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) — the GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

FeatureGeForce GTX 1060 6 GBGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU
VRAM Capacity
8 GB+33%
6 GB
Memory Type
GDDR5
GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth
192 GB/s
336 GB/s+75%
Bus Width
192-bit
192-bit
L2 Cache
1.5 MB
3 MB+100%
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (FL 12_1) (GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.4. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

FeatureGeForce GTX 1060 6 GBGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU
DirectX
12 (FL 12_1)
12 Ultimate
Vulkan
1.3
1.4+8%
OpenGL
4.6
4.6
Max Displays
4
4
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 4th gen (GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB) vs NVENC (7th Gen) (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU). Decoder: PureVideo VP7 vs NVDEC (5th Gen). Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB) vs H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode),VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU).

FeatureGeForce GTX 1060 6 GBGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU
Encoder
NVENC 4th gen
NVENC (7th Gen)
Decoder
PureVideo VP7
NVDEC (5th Gen)
Codecs
H.264,H.265/HEVC
H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode),VP9
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB draws 120W versus the GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU's 170W — a 34.5% difference. The GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 400W (GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB) vs 500W (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU). Power connectors: 6-pin vs Mobile. Typical load temperature: 70°C vs 75°C.

FeatureGeForce GTX 1060 6 GBGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU
TDP
120W-29%
170W
Recommended PSU
400W-20%
500W
Power Connector
6-pin
Mobile
Length
250mm
Height
111mm
Slots
2
Temp (Load)
70°C-7%
75°C
Perf/Watt
83.9+8%
77.5
💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is the newer GPU (2022 vs 2016).

FeatureGeForce GTX 1060 6 GBGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU
MSRP
$249
Avg Price (30d)
$65
Codename
GP106
GA106
Release
July 19 2016
October 12 2022
Ranking
#255
#147