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 RTX 2060 12GB 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 RTX 2060 12GB 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 RTX 2060 12GB

2021

Why buy it

✅142.9% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (272 vs 112).
✅Measures 229mm instead of 242mm, a 13mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3060 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌GeForce RTX 3060 is the safer long-term pick here because the hardware is newer and the feature stack is stronger.
❌
42.9% HIGHER MSRP
$470 MSRPvs$329 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 33.9 vs 51.7 G3D/$ ($470 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

GeForce RTX 3060

2021

Why buy it

✅8.3% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Costs $141 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $470 MSRP).
✅Delivers 52.4% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 51.7 vs 33.9 G3D/$ ($329 MSRP vs $470 MSRP).
✅Better long-term bet: Ampere on 8nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (112 vs 272), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.

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 8.3% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 6.7% in PassMark G3D (16,995 vs 15,935), 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: a 8nm process instead of 12nm. That still leaves it as the safer long-term option on hardware alone.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

GeForce RTX 3060 makes the most sense to buy today. It is $141 cheaper on MSRP at $329 vs $470, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 52.4% (51.7 vs 33.9), so the value case lines up with the gaming result.

GeForce RTX 2060 12GB vs GeForce RTX 3060 Technical Specifications

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

GeForce RTX 2060 12GB

The GeForce RTX 2060 12GB is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in December 7 2021. It features the Turing architecture. The core clock ranges from 1470 MHz to 1650 MHz. It has 2176 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 184W. Manufactured using 12 nm process technology. It features 34 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 15,935 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 RTX 2060 12GB scores 15,935 versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 16,995 — the GeForce RTX 3060 leads by 6.7%. The GeForce RTX 2060 12GB is built on Turing while the GeForce RTX 3060 uses Ampere, both on 12 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 2,176 (GeForce RTX 2060 12GB) vs 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060). Raw compute: 7.181 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 2060 12GB) vs 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060). Boost clocks: 1650 MHz vs 1777 MHz. Ray tracing: 34 RT cores (GeForce RTX 2060 12GB) vs 28 (GeForce RTX 3060) with 272 Tensor cores vs 112.

Feature	GeForce RTX 2060 12GB	GeForce RTX 3060
G3D Mark Score	15,935	16,995+7%
Architecture	Turing	Ampere
Process Node	12 nm	8 nm
Shading Units	2176	3584+65%
Compute (TFLOPS)	7.181 TFLOPS	12.74 TFLOPS+77%
Boost Clock	1650 MHz	1777 MHz+8%
ROPs	48	48
TMUs	136+21%	112
L1 Cache	2.1 MB	3.5 MB+67%
L2 Cache	3 MB	3 MB
Ray Tracing Cores	34+21%	28
Tensor Cores	272+143%	112

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce RTX 2060 12GB	GeForce RTX 3060
Upscaling Tech	DLSS 2 Super Resolution	DLSS 2 Super Resolution
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	NVIDIA Reflex

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

Both cards ship with 12 GB of GDDR6. Memory bandwidth: 336 GB/s (GeForce RTX 2060 12GB) vs 360 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060) — a 7.1% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3060. Memory bus width is 192-bit on the GeForce RTX 2060 12GB and 192-bit on the GeForce RTX 3060.

Feature	GeForce RTX 2060 12GB	GeForce RTX 3060
VRAM Capacity	12 GB	12 GB
Memory Type	GDDR6	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	336 GB/s	360 GB/s+7%
Bus Width	192-bit	192-bit
L2 Cache	3 MB	3 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12.1 (GeForce RTX 2060 12GB) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce RTX 2060 12GB	GeForce RTX 3060
DirectX	12.1	12 Ultimate
Vulkan	1.3	1.3
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 6.0 (GeForce RTX 2060 12GB) vs NVENC 7th Gen (GeForce RTX 3060). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP9 vs NVDEC 5th Gen. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9 (GeForce RTX 2060 12GB) vs AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060).

Feature	GeForce RTX 2060 12GB	GeForce RTX 3060
Encoder	NVENC 6.0	NVENC 7th Gen
Decoder	PureVideo HD VP9	NVDEC 5th Gen
Codecs	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9	AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 2060 12GB draws 184W versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 170W — a 7.9% difference. The GeForce RTX 3060 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 2060 12GB) vs 550W (GeForce RTX 3060). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 229mm vs 242mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 88°C vs 75.

Feature	GeForce RTX 2060 12GB	GeForce RTX 3060
TDP	184W	170W-8%
Recommended PSU	550W	550W
Power Connector	8-pin	8-pin
Length	229mm	242mm
Height	113mm	112mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	88°C	75-15%
Perf/Watt	86.6	100.0+15%

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce RTX 2060 12GB came in at $470, while the GeForce RTX 3060 launched at $329. On MSRP, GeForce RTX 3060 was 30% cheaper ($141 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 33.9 (GeForce RTX 2060 12GB) vs 51.7 (GeForce RTX 3060) — the GeForce RTX 3060 offers 52.5% better value.

Feature	GeForce RTX 2060 12GB	GeForce RTX 3060
MSRP	$470	$329-30%
Performance per Dollar	33.9	51.7+53%
Codename	TU106	GA106
Release	December 7 2021	January 12 2021
Ranking	#133	#114

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