GeForce GTX 960 vs GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
GeForce GTX 960
Popular choices:
GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
Popular choices:
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 uses modern memory architecture. 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 960 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 231.2% 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 960.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 960 | GeForce RTX 3060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-231.2%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+231.2%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / Maxwell 2.0 (2014−2019)) | 🔮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 | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce GTX 960 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $45 versus $280 for the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti, it costs 84% less. While it maintains significantly lower raw performance, this results in a 87.9% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 960 | GeForce RTX 3060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+87.9%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($45) | ⚠️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.
Path of Exile 2
League of Legends
Valorant
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 960 and GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
GeForce GTX 960
The GeForce GTX 960 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 22 2015. It features the Maxwell 2.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1127 MHz to 1178 MHz. It has 1024 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 100W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 6,133 points. Launch price was $199.
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 960 scores 6,133 versus the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti's 20,312 — the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti leads by 231.2%. The GeForce GTX 960 is built on Maxwell 2.0 while the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti uses Ampere, both on 28 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 1,024 (GeForce GTX 960) vs 4,864 (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti). Raw compute: 2.413 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 960) vs 16.2 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti). Boost clocks: 1178 MHz vs 1665 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 960 | GeForce RTX 3060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 6,133 | 20,312+231% |
| Architecture | Maxwell 2.0 | Ampere |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 8 nm |
| Shading Units | 1024 | 4864+375% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 2.413 TFLOPS | 16.2 TFLOPS+571% |
| Boost Clock | 1178 MHz | 1665 MHz+41% |
| ROPs | 32 | 80+150% |
| TMUs | 64 | 152+138% |
| L1 Cache | 0.38 MB | 4.8 MB+1163% |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB | 4 MB+300% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce GTX 960 | 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 960 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: 112 GB/s (GeForce GTX 960) vs 448 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti) — a 300% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti. Bus width: 128-bit vs 256-bit. L2 Cache: 1 MB (GeForce GTX 960) 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 960 | GeForce RTX 3060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 4 GB | 8 GB+100% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 112 GB/s | 448 GB/s+300% |
| Bus Width | 128-bit | 256-bit+100% |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB | 4 MB+300% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 (12_1) (GeForce GTX 960) vs 12 Ultimate (12_2) (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 960 | GeForce RTX 3060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 (12_1) | 12 Ultimate (12_2) |
| Vulkan | 1.3 | 1.3 |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 4 | 4 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: NVENC (5th Gen) (GeForce GTX 960) vs NVENC (Ampere) (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti). Decoder: NVDEC (2nd Gen) vs NVDEC (Ampere). Supported codecs: HEVC,H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1,VP8 (GeForce GTX 960) vs H.264,H.265,VP9,AV1 (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 960 | GeForce RTX 3060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC (5th Gen) | NVENC (Ampere) |
| Decoder | NVDEC (2nd Gen) | NVDEC (Ampere) |
| Codecs | HEVC,H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1,VP8 | H.264,H.265,VP9,AV1 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce GTX 960 draws 100W versus the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti's 200W — a 66.7% difference. The GeForce GTX 960 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 400W (GeForce GTX 960) vs 600W (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti). Power connectors: 6-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 241mm vs 242mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75 C vs 75.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 960 | GeForce RTX 3060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 100W-50% | 200W |
| Recommended PSU | 400W-33% | 600W |
| Power Connector | 6-pin | 8-pin |
| Length | 241mm | 242mm |
| Height | 111mm | 112mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 75 C | 75 |
| Perf/Watt | 61.3 | 101.6+66% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce GTX 960 launched at $199 MSRP and currently averages $45, while the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti launched at $399 and now averages $280. The GeForce GTX 960 costs 83.9% less ($235 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 136.3 (GeForce GTX 960) vs 72.5 (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti) — the GeForce GTX 960 offers 88% better value. The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is the newer GPU (2020 vs 2015).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 960 | GeForce RTX 3060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $199-50% | $399 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $45-84% | $280 |
| Performance per Dollar | 136.3+88% | 72.5 |
| Codename | GM206 | GA104 |
| Release | January 22 2015 | December 1 2020 |
| Ranking | #393 | #73 |
Top Performing GPUs
The most powerful gpus ranked by G3D Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar GPU comparisons based on GeForce GTX 960 and GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
