GeForce GTX 850M vs GeForce RTX 3060
GeForce GTX 850M
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GeForce RTX 3060
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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. The GeForce GTX 850M is positioned at rank #68 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Balanced cost-benefit for your build. 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 GeForce GTX 850M
Performance Per Dollar GeForce RTX 3060
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce RTX 3060 is significantly newer (2021 vs 2014). 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 850M 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 569.9% higher G3D Mark score and 500% more VRAM (12 GB vs 2 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTX 850M.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 850M | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-569.9%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+569.9%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / Maxwell (2014−2017)) | 🔮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 | — | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce GTX 850M offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $40 versus $289 for the GeForce RTX 3060, it costs 86% less. While it maintains basic entry-level capabilities, this results in a 7.9% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 850M | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+7.9%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($40) | ⚠️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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 850M and GeForce RTX 3060
GeForce GTX 850M
The GeForce GTX 850M is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 12 2014. It features the Maxwell architecture. The core clock speed is Up to 936 MHz. It has 640 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 45W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 2,537 points.
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 850M scores 2,537 versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 16,995 — the GeForce RTX 3060 leads by 569.9%. The GeForce GTX 850M is built on Maxwell while the GeForce RTX 3060 uses Ampere, both on 28 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 640 (GeForce GTX 850M) vs 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060). Raw compute: 1.155 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 850M) vs 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 850M | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 2,537 | 16,995+570% |
| Architecture | Maxwell | Ampere |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 8 nm |
| Shading Units | 640 | 3584+460% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 1.155 TFLOPS | 12.74 TFLOPS+1003% |
| ROPs | 16 | 48+200% |
| TMUs | 40 | 112+180% |
| L1 Cache | 0.31 MB | 3.5 MB+1029% |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB | 3 MB+50% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce GTX 850M | 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 850M comes with 2 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3060 has 12 GB. The GeForce RTX 3060 offers 500% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 128-bit vs 192-bit. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GeForce GTX 850M) vs 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060) — the GeForce RTX 3060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 850M | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 2 GB | 12 GB+500% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bandwidth | Unknown | 360 GB/s |
| Bus Width | 128-bit | 192-bit+50% |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB | 3 MB+50% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 11.0 (GeForce GTX 850M) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060). Vulkan: 1.2 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.5 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 1 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 850M | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 11.0 | 12 Ultimate+9% |
| Vulkan | 1.2 | 1.3+8% |
| OpenGL | 4.5 | 4.6+2% |
| Max Displays | 1 | 4+300% |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: NVENC 2.0 (GeForce GTX 850M) vs NVENC 7th Gen (GeForce RTX 3060). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP6 vs NVDEC 5th Gen. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1,MPEG-4 ASP,H.265 (GeForce GTX 850M) vs AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 850M | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC 2.0 | NVENC 7th Gen |
| Decoder | PureVideo HD VP6 | NVDEC 5th Gen |
| Codecs | MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1,MPEG-4 ASP,H.265 | AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce GTX 850M draws 45W versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 170W — a 116.3% difference. The GeForce GTX 850M is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce GTX 850M) vs 550W (GeForce RTX 3060). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs 8-pin. Card length: 0mm vs 242mm, occupying 0 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 80°C vs 75.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 850M | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 45W-74% | 170W |
| Recommended PSU | 350W-36% | 550W |
| Power Connector | PCIe-powered | 8-pin |
| Length | 0mm | 242mm |
| Height | 0mm | 112mm |
| Slots | 0-100% | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 80°C | 75-6% |
| Perf/Watt | 56.4 | 100.0+77% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce GTX 850M costs 86.2% less ($249 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 63.4 (GeForce GTX 850M) vs 58.8 (GeForce RTX 3060) — the GeForce GTX 850M offers 7.8% better value. The GeForce RTX 3060 is the newer GPU (2021 vs 2014).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 850M | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | — | $329 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $40-86% | $289 |
| Performance per Dollar | 63.4+8% | 58.8 |
| Codename | GM107 | GA106 |
| Release | March 12 2014 | January 12 2021 |
| Ranking | #629 | #114 |
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