GeForce GTX 860M SLI vs GeForce RTX 3060 Ti

NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 860M SLI

2014Core: 1029 MHz
Similar parts
VS
NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3060 Ti

2020Core: 1410 MHzBoost: 1665 MHz
RTX family
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GeForce GTX 860M SLI vs GeForce RTX 3060 Ti Performance Spectrum

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.

GeForce GTX 860M SLI vs GeForce RTX 3060 Ti 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 860M SLI vs GeForce RTX 3060 Ti: 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 860M SLI

2014

Why buy it

  • Draws 120W instead of 200W, a 80W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3060 Ti across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Less VRAM, with 2 GB vs 8 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
  • 2014 hardware with 2 GB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 50.9 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $399 MSRP).

GeForce RTX 3060 Ti

2020

Why buy it

  • 408.3% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 50.9 vs 0 G3D/$ ($399 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
  • Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
  • 300% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (8 GB vs 2 GB).
  • Better long-term bet: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

  • 66.7% higher power demand at 200W vs 120W.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?
GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 408.3% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 712.5% in PassMark G3D (20,312 vs 2,500), so the answer here is pretty clean.
Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?
GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 8 GB vs 2 GB of VRAM, the newer upscaling stack, DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack, a 8nm process instead of 28nm, and 38 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 Ti makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup.

GeForce GTX 860M SLI vs GeForce RTX 3060 Ti Technical Specifications

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

NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 860M SLI

The GeForce GTX 860M SLI is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 12 2014. It features the Maxwell architecture. The core clock speed is 1029 MHz. It has 1280 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 120W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 2,500 points.

NVIDIA

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 860M SLI scores 2,500 versus the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti's 20,312 — the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti leads by 712.5%. The GeForce GTX 860M SLI is built on Maxwell while the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti uses Ampere, both on 28 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 1,280 (GeForce GTX 860M SLI) vs 4,864 (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti).

FeatureGeForce GTX 860M SLIGeForce RTX 3060 Ti
G3D Mark Score
2,500
20,312+712%
Architecture
Maxwell
Ampere
Process Node
28 nm
8 nm
Shading Units
1280
4864+280%

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti supports the newer DLSS 2 Super Resolution, whereas the GeForce GTX 860M SLI is capped at Upscaling support.

FeatureGeForce GTX 860M SLIGeForce RTX 3060 Ti
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 860M SLI has 2 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti carries 8 GB. GeForce RTX 3060 Ti gives you 300% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bus width is 128-bit on the GeForce GTX 860M SLI and 256-bit on the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti.

FeatureGeForce GTX 860M SLIGeForce RTX 3060 Ti
VRAM Capacity
2 GB
8 GB+300%
Memory Type
GDDR5
GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth
Unknown
448 GB/s
Bus Width
128-bit
256-bit+100%
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 860M SLI draws 120W versus the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti's 200W — a 50% difference. The GeForce GTX 860M SLI is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce GTX 860M SLI) vs 600W (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs 8-pin.

FeatureGeForce GTX 860M SLIGeForce RTX 3060 Ti
TDP
120W-40%
200W
Recommended PSU
350W-42%
600W
Power Connector
PCIe-powered
8-pin
Length
242mm
Height
112mm
Slots
2
Temp (Load)
75
Perf/Watt
20.8
101.6+388%
💰

Value Analysis

The newer card here is GeForce RTX 3060 Ti (2020 vs 2014).

FeatureGeForce GTX 860M SLIGeForce RTX 3060 Ti
MSRP
$399
Codename
GA104
Release
March 12 2014
December 1 2020
Ranking
#457
#73

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