GeForce GTX 680 vs GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
GeForce GTX 680
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GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
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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.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Per Dollar GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is significantly newer (2020 vs 2012). The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The GeForce GTX 680 lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 262.1% higher G3D Mark score and 100% more VRAM (8 GB vs 4 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTX 680.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 680 | GeForce RTX 3060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-262.1%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+262.1%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2012 / Kepler (2012−2018)) | 🔮Strong Longevity (Ampere (2020−2025) / 8nm) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | ✨ DLSS 2 Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | 🎮 High Capacity (8 GB) |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | Standard Size (256mm) | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce GTX 680 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $40 versus $280 for the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti, it costs 86% less. While it maintains significantly lower raw performance, this results in a 93.3% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 680 | GeForce RTX 3060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+93.3%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($40) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($280) |
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 680 and GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
GeForce GTX 680
The GeForce GTX 680 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 22 2012. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock ranges from 1006 MHz to 1058 MHz. It has 1536 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 195W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,609 points. Launch price was $499.
GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in December 1 2020. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1410 MHz to 1665 MHz. It has 4864 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 200W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 38 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 20,312 points. Launch price was $399.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTX 680 scores 5,609 versus the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti's 20,312 — the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti leads by 262.1%. The GeForce GTX 680 is built on Kepler while the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti uses Ampere, both on 28 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 1,536 (GeForce GTX 680) vs 4,864 (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti). Raw compute: 3.25 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 680) vs 16.2 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti). Boost clocks: 1058 MHz vs 1665 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 680 | GeForce RTX 3060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 5,609 | 20,312+262% |
| Architecture | Kepler | Ampere |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 8 nm |
| Shading Units | 1536 | 4864+217% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 3.25 TFLOPS | 16.2 TFLOPS+398% |
| Boost Clock | 1058 MHz | 1665 MHz+57% |
| ROPs | 32 | 80+150% |
| TMUs | 128 | 152+19% |
| L1 Cache | 0.13 MB | 4.8 MB+3592% |
| L2 Cache | 0.5 MB | 4 MB+700% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce GTX 680 | GeForce RTX 3060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| 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 680 comes with 4 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti has 8 GB. The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 192.2 GB/s (GeForce GTX 680) vs 448 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti) — a 133.1% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti. Bus width: 256-bit vs 256-bit. L2 Cache: 0.5 MB (GeForce GTX 680) vs 4 MB (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti) — the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 680 | GeForce RTX 3060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 4 GB | 8 GB+100% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 192.2 GB/s | 448 GB/s+133% |
| Bus Width | 256-bit | 256-bit |
| L2 Cache | 0.5 MB | 4 MB+700% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 (FL 11_0) (GeForce GTX 680) vs 12 Ultimate (12_2) (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti). Vulkan: 1.1 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 680 | GeForce RTX 3060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 (FL 11_0) | 12 Ultimate (12_2) |
| Vulkan | 1.1 | 1.3+18% |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 4 | 4 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: NVENC 1st gen (GeForce GTX 680) vs NVENC (Ampere) (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti). Decoder: PureVideo VP5 vs NVDEC (Ampere). Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce GTX 680) vs H.264,H.265,VP9,AV1 (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 680 | GeForce RTX 3060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC 1st gen | NVENC (Ampere) |
| Decoder | PureVideo VP5 | NVDEC (Ampere) |
| Codecs | H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 | H.264,H.265,VP9,AV1 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce GTX 680 draws 195W versus the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti's 200W — a 2.5% difference. The GeForce GTX 680 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce GTX 680) vs 600W (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti). Power connectors: 2x 6-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 256mm vs 242mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 98°C vs 75.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 680 | GeForce RTX 3060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 195W-3% | 200W |
| Recommended PSU | 550W-8% | 600W |
| Power Connector | 2x 6-pin | 8-pin |
| Length | 256mm | 242mm |
| Height | 111mm | 112mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 98°C | 75-23% |
| Perf/Watt | 28.8 | 101.6+253% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce GTX 680 launched at $499 MSRP and currently averages $40, while the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti launched at $399 and now averages $280. The GeForce GTX 680 costs 85.7% less ($240 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 140.2 (GeForce GTX 680) vs 72.5 (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti) — the GeForce GTX 680 offers 93.4% better value. The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is the newer GPU (2020 vs 2012).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 680 | GeForce RTX 3060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $499 | $399-20% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $40-86% | $280 |
| Performance per Dollar | 140.2+93% | 72.5 |
| Codename | GK104 | GA104 |
| Release | March 22 2012 | December 1 2020 |
| Ranking | #410 | #73 |
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