GeForce MX450 vs GeForce RTX 3060

NVIDIA

GeForce MX450

2020Core: 1395 MHzBoost: 1575 MHz
Similar parts
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VS
NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3060

2021Core: 1320 MHzBoost: 1777 MHz
RTX family
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GeForce MX450 vs GeForce RTX 3060 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 MX450 vs GeForce RTX 3060 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 MX450 vs GeForce RTX 3060: 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 MX450

2020

Why buy it

  • Costs $79 less on MSRP ($250 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
  • Draws 25W instead of 170W, a 145W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3060 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Less VRAM, with 2 GB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
  • Older hardware, 2 GB of VRAM, and weaker feature support mean it will age faster in newer AAA releases.
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 14.9 vs 51.7 G3D/$ ($250 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

GeForce RTX 3060

2021

Why buy it

  • 220.4% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Delivers 247.2% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 51.7 vs 14.9 G3D/$ ($329 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).
  • Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
  • 500% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 2 GB).
  • Better long-term bet: Ampere on 8nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

  • 580% higher power demand at 170W vs 25W.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?
GeForce RTX 3060 is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 220.4% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 356.9% in PassMark G3D (16,995 vs 3,720), so the answer here is pretty clean.
Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?
GeForce RTX 3060 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 12 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 12nm, and 28 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 makes the most sense to buy today. It is $79 more expensive on MSRP at $329 vs $250, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 247.2% (51.7 vs 14.9), so the value case lines up with the gaming result.

GeForce MX450 vs GeForce RTX 3060 Technical Specifications

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

NVIDIA

GeForce MX450

The GeForce MX450 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in August 1 2020. It features the Turing architecture. The core clock ranges from 1395 MHz to 1575 MHz. It has 896 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 25W. Manufactured using 12 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,720 points.

NVIDIA

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 MX450 scores 3,720 versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 16,995 — the GeForce RTX 3060 leads by 356.9%. The GeForce MX450 is built on Turing while the GeForce RTX 3060 uses Ampere, both on 12 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 896 (GeForce MX450) vs 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060). Raw compute: 3.226 TFLOPS (GeForce MX450) vs 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060). Boost clocks: 1575 MHz vs 1777 MHz.

FeatureGeForce MX450GeForce RTX 3060
G3D Mark Score
3,720
16,995+357%
Architecture
Turing
Ampere
Process Node
12 nm
8 nm
Shading Units
896
3584+300%
Compute (TFLOPS)
3.226 TFLOPS
12.74 TFLOPS+295%
Boost Clock
1575 MHz
1777 MHz+13%
ROPs
32
48+50%
TMUs
64
112+75%

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce RTX 3060 supports the newer DLSS 2 Super Resolution, whereas the GeForce MX450 is capped at Upscaling support.

FeatureGeForce MX450GeForce RTX 3060
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 MX450 has 2 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3060 carries 12 GB. GeForce RTX 3060 gives you 500% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bandwidth: 80 GB/s (GeForce MX450) vs 360 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060) — a 350% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3060. Memory bus width is 64-bit on the GeForce MX450 and 192-bit on the GeForce RTX 3060.

FeatureGeForce MX450GeForce RTX 3060
VRAM Capacity
2 GB
12 GB+500%
Memory Type
GDDR6
GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth
80 GB/s
360 GB/s+350%
Bus Width
64-bit
192-bit+200%
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce MX450 draws 25W versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 170W — a 148.7% difference. The GeForce MX450 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce MX450) vs 550W (GeForce RTX 3060). Power connectors: Mobile vs 8-pin.

FeatureGeForce MX450GeForce RTX 3060
TDP
25W-85%
170W
Recommended PSU
350W-36%
550W
Power Connector
Mobile
8-pin
Length
242mm
Height
112mm
Slots
2
Temp (Load)
75
Perf/Watt
148.8+49%
100.0
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce MX450 came in at $250, while the GeForce RTX 3060 launched at $329. On MSRP, GeForce MX450 was 24% cheaper ($79 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 14.9 (GeForce MX450) vs 51.7 (GeForce RTX 3060) — the GeForce RTX 3060 offers 247% better value. The newer card here is GeForce RTX 3060 (2021 vs 2020).

FeatureGeForce MX450GeForce RTX 3060
MSRP
$250-24%
$329
Performance per Dollar
14.9
51.7+247%
Codename
N17S-G5 / GP107-670-A1
GA106
Release
August 1 2020
January 12 2021
Ranking
#523
#114

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