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 Laptop GPU 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 Laptop GPU: 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

✅3.2% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 33.9 vs 0 G3D/$ ($470 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
✅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).
✅100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 6 GB).

Trade-offs

❌GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is the safer long-term pick here because the hardware is newer and the feature stack is stronger.

GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU

2022

Why buy it

✅Better long-term bet: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.
✅More future proof: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 2060 12GB across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 6 GB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (112 vs 272), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 33.9 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $470 MSRP).

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

GeForce RTX 2060 12GB is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 3.2% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 21% in PassMark G3D (15,935 vs 13,170), so the answer here is pretty clean.

Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?

GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: a 8nm process instead of 12nm and a newer 2022 generation instead of 2021. That makes it the less risky pick as game demands keep moving.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

GeForce RTX 2060 12GB makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and lighter 1440p, GeForce RTX 2060 12GB is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and lighter 1440p headroom, GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce RTX 2060 12GB vs GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU 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 Laptop GPU

The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in October 12 2022. 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: 13,170 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 2060 12GB scores 15,935 versus the GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU's 13,170 — the GeForce RTX 2060 12GB leads by 21%. The GeForce RTX 2060 12GB is built on Turing while the GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU uses Ampere, both on 12 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 2,176 (GeForce RTX 2060 12GB) vs 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU). Raw compute: 7.181 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 2060 12GB) vs 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU). Boost clocks: 1650 MHz vs 1777 MHz. Ray tracing: 34 RT cores (GeForce RTX 2060 12GB) vs 28 (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) with 272 Tensor cores vs 112.

Feature	GeForce RTX 2060 12GB	GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU
G3D Mark Score	15,935+21%	13,170
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 Laptop GPU
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)

The GeForce RTX 2060 12GB has 12 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU carries 6 GB. GeForce RTX 2060 12GB gives you 100% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bus width is 192-bit on the GeForce RTX 2060 12GB and 192-bit on the GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU.

Feature	GeForce RTX 2060 12GB	GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU
VRAM Capacity	12 GB+100%	6 GB
Memory Type	GDDR6	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	336 GB/s	336 GB/s
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 Laptop GPU). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.4. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce RTX 2060 12GB	GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU
DirectX	12.1	12 Ultimate
Vulkan	1.3	1.4+8%
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 Laptop GPU). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP9 vs NVDEC (5th Gen). Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9 (GeForce RTX 2060 12GB) vs H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode),VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU).

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

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 2060 12GB draws 184W versus the GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU's 170W — a 7.9% difference. The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 2060 12GB) vs 500W (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU). Power connectors: 8-pin vs Mobile. Typical load temperature: 88°C vs 75°C.

Feature	GeForce RTX 2060 12GB	GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU
TDP	184W	170W-8%
Recommended PSU	550W	500W-9%
Power Connector	8-pin	Mobile
Length	229mm	—
Height	113mm	—
Slots	2	—
Temp (Load)	88°C	75°C-15%
Perf/Watt	86.6+12%	77.5

💰

Value Analysis

The newer card here is GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU (2022 vs 2021).

Feature	GeForce RTX 2060 12GB	GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU
MSRP	$470	—
Codename	TU106	GA106
Release	December 7 2021	October 12 2022
Ranking	#133	#147

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