GeForce RTX 2060 vs GeForce RTX 3060
GeForce RTX 2060
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GeForce RTX 3060
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Performance Spectrum - GPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (G3D Mark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Per Dollar GeForce RTX 3060
Why is GeForce RTX 3060 better than GeForce RTX 2060?
The RTX 2060 and RTX 3060 represent two generations of NVIDIA's most popular "60-class" cards. The RTX 3060 is a significant upgrade, offering 15-25% better performance at 1080p and doubling the VRAM to 12GB on most models. This VRAM increase is a game-changer for 2025, as it allows for much higher texture settings in modern open-world games without the stuttering common on the 6GB RTX 2060.\n\nArchitecturally, the RTX 3060 also features 2nd-gen RT cores and 3rd-gen Tensor cores, leading to better Ray Tracing and DLSS scaling. While the RTX 2060 is still a capable 1080p card for most titles, the RTX 3060 provides the memory headroom and architectural efficiency needed to stay relevant for several more years. If you are upgrading from an older GTX card, the RTX 3060 is the far superior long-term investment.
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce RTX 3060 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 20.4% higher G3D Mark score and 100% more VRAM (12 GB vs 6 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce RTX 2060.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 2060 | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-20.4%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+20.4%) |
| Longevity | Turing (2018−2022) (12nm) | 🔮Strong Longevity (Ampere / 8nm) |
| Ecosystem | ✨ DLSS 2 Upscaling | ✨ DLSS 2 Upscaling |
| VRAM | 🎮 High Capacity (6 GB) | 🎮 High Capacity (12 GB) |
| Efficiency | Normal Efficiency | Normal Efficiency |
| Case Fit | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce RTX 2060 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $120 versus $289 for the GeForce RTX 3060, it costs 58% less. While it maintains lower overall performance, this results in a 100% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 2060 | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+100%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($120) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($289) |
Performance Check
Real-world benchmarks and performance projections based on comprehensive hardware analysis and comparative metrics. Values represent expected performance on High/Ultra settings at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K. Modeled using a Ryzen 7 7800X3D reference profile to minimize specific CPU bottlenecks.
Note: Performance behavior can vary per game. Specific architectures may perform better or worse depending on game engine optimizations and API implementation.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 2060 and GeForce RTX 3060
GeForce RTX 2060
The GeForce RTX 2060 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 7 2019. It features the Turing architecture. The core clock ranges from 1365 MHz to 1680 MHz. It has 1920 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 160W. Manufactured using 12 nm process technology. It features 30 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 14,114 points. Launch price was $349.
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 scores 14,114 versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 16,995 — the GeForce RTX 3060 leads by 20.4%. The GeForce RTX 2060 is built on Turing while the GeForce RTX 3060 uses Ampere, both on 12 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 1,920 (GeForce RTX 2060) vs 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060). Raw compute: 6.451 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 2060) vs 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060). Boost clocks: 1680 MHz vs 1777 MHz. Ray tracing: 30 RT cores (GeForce RTX 2060) vs 28 (GeForce RTX 3060) with 240 Tensor cores vs 112.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 2060 | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 14,114 | 16,995+20% |
| Architecture | Turing | Ampere |
| Process Node | 12 nm | 8 nm |
| Shading Units | 1920 | 3584+87% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 6.451 TFLOPS | 12.74 TFLOPS+97% |
| Boost Clock | 1680 MHz | 1777 MHz+6% |
| ROPs | 48 | 48 |
| TMUs | 120+7% | 112 |
| L1 Cache | 1.9 MB | 3.5 MB+84% |
| L2 Cache | 3 MB | 3 MB |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 30+7% | 28 |
| Tensor Cores | 240+114% | 112 |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce RTX 2060 | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | DLSS 2.0 | DLSS 2.0 |
| Frame Generation | FSR 3 / AFMF (Compatible) | FSR 3 / AFMF (Compatible) |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | NVIDIA Reflex | NVIDIA Reflex |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The GeForce RTX 2060 comes with 6 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3060 has 12 GB. The GeForce RTX 3060 offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 336 GB/s (GeForce RTX 2060) vs 360 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060) — a 7.1% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3060. Bus width: 192-bit vs 192-bit.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 2060 | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 6 GB | 12 GB+100% |
| 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 Ultimate (12_2) (GeForce RTX 2060) 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 | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 Ultimate (12_2) | 12 Ultimate |
| Vulkan | 1.3 | 1.3 |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 4 | 4 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: NVENC (Turing) (GeForce RTX 2060) vs NVENC 7th Gen (GeForce RTX 3060). Decoder: NVDEC (Turing) vs NVDEC 5th Gen. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265,VP9,VP8,MPEG-2,VC-1 (GeForce RTX 2060) vs AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 2060 | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC (Turing) | NVENC 7th Gen |
| Decoder | NVDEC (Turing) | NVDEC 5th Gen |
| Codecs | H.264,H.265,VP9,VP8,MPEG-2,VC-1 | AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce RTX 2060 draws 160W versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 170W — a 6.1% difference. The GeForce RTX 2060 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (GeForce RTX 2060) 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: 72 vs 75.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 2060 | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 160W-6% | 170W |
| Recommended PSU | 500W-9% | 550W |
| Power Connector | 8-pin | 8-pin |
| Length | 229mm | 242mm |
| Height | 113mm | 112mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 72-4% | 75 |
| Perf/Watt | 88.2 | 100.0+13% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce RTX 2060 launched at $349 MSRP and currently averages $120, while the GeForce RTX 3060 launched at $329 and now averages $289. The GeForce RTX 2060 costs 58.5% less ($169 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 117.6 (GeForce RTX 2060) vs 58.8 (GeForce RTX 3060) — the GeForce RTX 2060 offers 100% better value. The GeForce RTX 3060 is the newer GPU (2021 vs 2019).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 2060 | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $349 | $329-6% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $120-58% | $289 |
| Performance per Dollar | 117.6+100% | 58.8 |
| Codename | TU106 | GA106 |
| Release | January 7 2019 | January 12 2021 |
| Ranking | #168 | #114 |
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