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 3070 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 3070: 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

✅Costs $29 less on MSRP ($470 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).
✅47.8% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (272 vs 184).
✅50% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 8 GB).
✅Draws 184W instead of 220W, a 36W reduction.
✅Measures 229mm instead of 242mm, a 13mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3070 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 33.9 vs 44.4 G3D/$ ($470 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).

GeForce RTX 3070

2020

Why buy it

✅35.4% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Delivers 31.1% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 44.4 vs 33.9 G3D/$ ($499 MSRP vs $470 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Less VRAM, with 8 GB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (184 vs 272), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.
❌19.6% higher power demand at 220W vs 184W.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

GeForce RTX 3070 is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 35.4% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 39.1% in PassMark G3D (22,172 vs 15,935), so the answer here is pretty clean.

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

GeForce RTX 3070 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: a 8nm process instead of 12nm and 46 vs 34 ray-tracing units. That gives it the more rounded hardware package for newer games.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

GeForce RTX 3070 makes the most sense to buy today. It is $29 more expensive on MSRP at $499 vs $470, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 31.1% (44.4 vs 33.9), so the value case lines up with the gaming result.

GeForce RTX 2060 12GB vs GeForce RTX 3070 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 3070

The GeForce RTX 3070 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in September 1 2020. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1500 MHz to 1725 MHz. It has 5888 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 220W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 46 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 22,172 points. Launch price was $499.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 2060 12GB scores 15,935 versus the GeForce RTX 3070's 22,172 — the GeForce RTX 3070 leads by 39.1%. The GeForce RTX 2060 12GB is built on Turing while the GeForce RTX 3070 uses Ampere, both on 12 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 2,176 (GeForce RTX 2060 12GB) vs 5,888 (GeForce RTX 3070). Raw compute: 7.181 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 2060 12GB) vs 20.31 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3070). Boost clocks: 1650 MHz vs 1725 MHz. Ray tracing: 34 RT cores (GeForce RTX 2060 12GB) vs 46 (GeForce RTX 3070) with 272 Tensor cores vs 184.

Feature	GeForce RTX 2060 12GB	GeForce RTX 3070
G3D Mark Score	15,935	22,172+39%
Architecture	Turing	Ampere
Process Node	12 nm	8 nm
Shading Units	2176	5888+171%
Compute (TFLOPS)	7.181 TFLOPS	20.31 TFLOPS+183%
Boost Clock	1650 MHz	1725 MHz+5%
ROPs	48	96+100%
TMUs	136	184+35%
L1 Cache	2.1 MB	5.8 MB+176%
L2 Cache	3 MB	4 MB+33%
Ray Tracing Cores	34	46+35%
Tensor Cores	272+48%	184

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce RTX 2060 12GB	GeForce RTX 3070
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 3070 carries 8 GB. GeForce RTX 2060 12GB gives you 50% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bandwidth: 336 GB/s (GeForce RTX 2060 12GB) vs 448 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3070) — a 33.3% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3070. Memory bus width is 192-bit on the GeForce RTX 2060 12GB and 256-bit on the GeForce RTX 3070. L2 Cache: 3 MB (GeForce RTX 2060 12GB) vs 4 MB (GeForce RTX 3070) — the GeForce RTX 3070 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 2060 12GB	GeForce RTX 3070
VRAM Capacity	12 GB+50%	8 GB
Memory Type	GDDR6	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	336 GB/s	448 GB/s+33%
Bus Width	192-bit	256-bit+33%
L2 Cache	3 MB	4 MB+33%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12.1 (GeForce RTX 2060 12GB) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3070). 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 3070
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 3070). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP9 vs NVDEC 5th gen. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9 (GeForce RTX 2060 12GB) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3070).

Feature	GeForce RTX 2060 12GB	GeForce RTX 3070
Encoder	NVENC 6.0	NVENC 7th gen
Decoder	PureVideo HD VP9	NVDEC 5th gen
Codecs	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9	H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 2060 12GB draws 184W versus the GeForce RTX 3070's 220W — a 17.8% difference. The GeForce RTX 2060 12GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 2060 12GB) vs 650W (GeForce RTX 3070). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 229mm vs 242mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 88°C vs 75°C.

Feature	GeForce RTX 2060 12GB	GeForce RTX 3070
TDP	184W-16%	220W
Recommended PSU	550W-15%	650W
Power Connector	8-pin	8-pin
Length	229mm	242mm
Height	113mm	112mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	88°C	75°C-15%
Perf/Watt	86.6	100.8+16%

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce RTX 2060 12GB came in at $470, while the GeForce RTX 3070 launched at $499. On MSRP, GeForce RTX 2060 12GB was 5.8% cheaper ($29 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 33.9 (GeForce RTX 2060 12GB) vs 44.4 (GeForce RTX 3070) — the GeForce RTX 3070 offers 31% better value. The newer card here is GeForce RTX 2060 12GB (2021 vs 2020).

Feature	GeForce RTX 2060 12GB	GeForce RTX 3070
MSRP	$470-6%	$499
Performance per Dollar	33.9	44.4+31%
Codename	TU106	GA104
Release	December 7 2021	September 1 2020
Ranking	#133	#63

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