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 vs GeForce RTX 3060 12GB 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 vs GeForce RTX 3060 12GB: 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

2016

Why buy it

✅Costs $80 less on MSRP ($249 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
✅Draws 180W instead of 350W, a 170W reduction.
✅Measures 173mm instead of 242mm, a 69mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3060 12GB across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 6 GB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
❌2016 hardware with 6 GB of VRAM already sits in legacy territory for modern games.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 40.4 vs 51.0 G3D/$ ($249 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

GeForce RTX 3060 12GB

2022

Why buy it

✅68.9% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Delivers 26.2% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 51.0 vs 40.4 G3D/$ ($329 MSRP vs $249 MSRP).
✅Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
✅100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 6 GB).
✅Better long-term bet: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌94.4% higher power demand at 350W vs 180W.
❌39.9% longer card at 242mm vs 173mm.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 68.9% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 66.7% in PassMark G3D (16,777 vs 10,064), so the answer here is pretty clean.

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

GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 12 GB vs 6 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 70 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 12GB makes the most sense to buy today. It is $80 more expensive on MSRP at $329 vs $249, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 26.2% (51.0 vs 40.4), so the value case lines up with the gaming result.

GeForce GTX 1060 vs GeForce RTX 3060 12GB Technical Specifications

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

GeForce GTX 1060

The GeForce GTX 1060 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 27 2016. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 1607 MHz to 1733 MHz. It has 2560 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 180W. Manufactured using 16 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 10,064 points. Launch price was $599.

GeForce RTX 3060 12GB

The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 11 2022. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1260 MHz to 1710 MHz. It has 8960 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 350W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 70 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 16,777 points. Launch price was $799.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTX 1060 scores 10,064 versus the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB's 16,777 — the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB leads by 66.7%. The GeForce GTX 1060 is built on Pascal while the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB uses Ampere, both on 16 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 8,960 (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB). Raw compute: 8.873 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 30.64 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB). Boost clocks: 1733 MHz vs 1710 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 3060 12GB
G3D Mark Score	10,064	16,777+67%
Architecture	Pascal	Ampere
Process Node	16 nm	8 nm
Shading Units	2560	8960+250%
Compute (TFLOPS)	8.873 TFLOPS	30.64 TFLOPS+245%
Boost Clock	1733 MHz+1%	1710 MHz
ROPs	64	96+50%
TMUs	160	280+75%
L1 Cache	0.94 MB	8.8 MB+836%
L2 Cache	2 MB	6 MB+200%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB supports the newer DLSS 2 Super Resolution, whereas the GeForce GTX 1060 is capped at Upscaling support.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 3060 12GB
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 GTX 1060 has 6 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB carries 12 GB. GeForce RTX 3060 12GB 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) vs 360 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) — a 87.5% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB. Memory bus width is 192-bit on the GeForce GTX 1060 and 192-bit on the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 6 MB (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) — the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 3060 12GB
VRAM Capacity	6 GB	12 GB+100%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	192 GB/s	360 GB/s+88%
Bus Width	192-bit	192-bit
L2 Cache	2 MB	6 MB+200%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.5 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 3060 12GB
DirectX	12	12 Ultimate
Vulkan	1.3	1.3
OpenGL	4.5	4.6+2%
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (Pascal) (GeForce GTX 1060) vs NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB). Decoder: NVDEC (Pascal) vs NVDEC 5th gen. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce GTX 1060) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 3060 12GB
Encoder	NVENC (Pascal)	NVENC 7th gen
Decoder	NVDEC (Pascal)	NVDEC 5th gen
Codecs	H.264,H.265/HEVC	H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 1060 draws 180W versus the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB's 350W — a 64.2% difference. The GeForce GTX 1060 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 400W (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 550W (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB). Power connectors: 6-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 173mm vs 242mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 3060 12GB
TDP	180W-49%	350W
Recommended PSU	400W-27%	550W
Power Connector	6-pin	8-pin
Length	173mm	242mm
Height	111mm	112mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	—	75°C
Perf/Watt	55.9+17%	47.9

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce GTX 1060 came in at $249, while the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB launched at $329. On MSRP, GeForce GTX 1060 was 24.3% cheaper ($80 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 40.4 (GeForce GTX 1060) vs 51.0 (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) — the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB offers 26.2% better value. The newer card here is GeForce RTX 3060 12GB (2022 vs 2016).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060	GeForce RTX 3060 12GB
MSRP	$249-24%	$329
Performance per Dollar	40.4	51.0+26%
Codename	GP104	GA102
Release	May 27 2016	January 11 2022
Ranking	#137	#38

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