GeForce MX550 vs GeForce RTX 3060

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 MX550 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 MX550 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 MX550

2021

Why buy it

✅Costs $179 less on MSRP ($150 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 29.9 vs 51.7 G3D/$ ($150 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

GeForce RTX 3060

2021

Why buy it

✅238.9% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Delivers 73% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 51.7 vs 29.9 G3D/$ ($329 MSRP vs $150 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 238.9% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 279.4% in PassMark G3D (16,995 vs 4,480), 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 $179 more expensive on MSRP at $329 vs $150, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 73% (51.7 vs 29.9), so the value case lines up with the gaming result.

GeForce MX550 vs GeForce RTX 3060 Technical Specifications

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

GeForce MX550

The GeForce MX550 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in December 17 2021. It features the Turing architecture. The core clock ranges from 1065 MHz to 1320 MHz. It has 1024 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 25W. Manufactured using 12 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 4,480 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 MX550 scores 4,480 versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 16,995 — the GeForce RTX 3060 leads by 279.4%. The GeForce MX550 is built on Turing while the GeForce RTX 3060 uses Ampere, both on 12 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 1,024 (GeForce MX550) vs 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060). Raw compute: 2.703 TFLOPS (GeForce MX550) vs 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060). Boost clocks: 1320 MHz vs 1777 MHz.

Feature	GeForce MX550	GeForce RTX 3060
G3D Mark Score	4,480	16,995+279%
Architecture	Turing	Ampere
Process Node	12 nm	8 nm
Shading Units	1024	3584+250%
Compute (TFLOPS)	2.703 TFLOPS	12.74 TFLOPS+371%
Boost Clock	1320 MHz	1777 MHz+35%
ROPs	16	48+200%
TMUs	32	112+250%
L1 Cache	2 MB	3.5 MB+75%
L2 Cache	2 MB	3 MB+50%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce RTX 3060 supports the newer DLSS 2 Super Resolution, whereas the GeForce MX550 is capped at Upscaling support.

Feature	GeForce MX550	GeForce 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 MX550 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 MX550) vs 360 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060) — a 350% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3060. Memory bus width is 64-bit on the GeForce MX550 and 192-bit on the GeForce RTX 3060. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GeForce MX550) vs 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060) — the GeForce RTX 3060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce MX550	GeForce 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%
L2 Cache	2 MB	3 MB+50%

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce MX550 draws 25W versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 170W — a 148.7% difference. The GeForce MX550 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce MX550) vs 550W (GeForce RTX 3060). Power connectors: Mobile vs 8-pin.

Feature	GeForce MX550	GeForce 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	179.2+79%	100.0

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce MX550 came in at $150, while the GeForce RTX 3060 launched at $329. On MSRP, GeForce MX550 was 54.4% cheaper ($179 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 29.9 (GeForce MX550) vs 51.7 (GeForce RTX 3060) — the GeForce RTX 3060 offers 72.9% better value.

Feature	GeForce MX550	GeForce RTX 3060
MSRP	$150-54%	$329
Performance per Dollar	29.9	51.7+73%
Codename	TU117S	GA106
Release	December 17 2021	January 12 2021
Ranking	#468	#114

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