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 with Max-Q Design 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 with Max-Q Design 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 with Max-Q Design

2020

Why buy it

✅114.3% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (240 vs 112).
✅Draws 65W instead of 170W, a 105W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3060 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 6 GB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌GeForce RTX 3060 is the safer long-term pick here because the hardware is newer and the feature stack is stronger.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 51.7 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

GeForce RTX 3060

2021

Why buy it

✅52.8% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 51.7 vs 0 G3D/$ ($329 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
✅100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 6 GB).
✅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 240), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.
❌161.5% higher power demand at 170W vs 65W.

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 52.8% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 75.7% in PassMark G3D (16,995 vs 9,674), 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 6 GB of VRAM, a 8nm process instead of 12nm, and a newer 2021 generation instead of 2020. 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 today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup.

GeForce RTX 2060 with Max-Q Design vs GeForce RTX 3060 Technical Specifications

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

GeForce RTX 2060 with Max-Q Design

The GeForce RTX 2060 with Max-Q Design is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 29 2020. It features the Turing architecture. The core clock ranges from 975 MHz to 1185 MHz. It has 1920 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 65W. Manufactured using 12 nm process technology. It features 30 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 9,674 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 with Max-Q Design scores 9,674 versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 16,995 — the GeForce RTX 3060 leads by 75.7%. The GeForce RTX 2060 with Max-Q Design 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 with Max-Q Design) vs 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060). Raw compute: 4.55 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 2060 with Max-Q Design) vs 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060). Boost clocks: 1185 MHz vs 1777 MHz. Ray tracing: 30 RT cores (GeForce RTX 2060 with Max-Q Design) vs 28 (GeForce RTX 3060) with 240 Tensor cores vs 112.

Feature	GeForce RTX 2060 with Max-Q Design	GeForce RTX 3060
G3D Mark Score	9,674	16,995+76%
Architecture	Turing	Ampere
Process Node	12 nm	8 nm
Shading Units	1920	3584+87%
Compute (TFLOPS)	4.55 TFLOPS	12.74 TFLOPS+180%
Boost Clock	1185 MHz	1777 MHz+50%
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 with Max-Q Design	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)

The GeForce RTX 2060 with Max-Q Design has 6 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3060 carries 12 GB. GeForce RTX 3060 gives you 100% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bandwidth: 264 GB/s (GeForce RTX 2060 with Max-Q Design) vs 360 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060) — a 36.4% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3060. Memory bus width is 192-bit on the GeForce RTX 2060 with Max-Q Design and 192-bit on the GeForce RTX 3060.

Feature	GeForce RTX 2060 with Max-Q Design	GeForce RTX 3060
VRAM Capacity	6 GB	12 GB+100%
Memory Type	GDDR6	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	264 GB/s	360 GB/s+36%
Bus Width	192-bit	192-bit
L2 Cache	3 MB	3 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (12_2) (GeForce RTX 2060 with Max-Q Design) 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 with Max-Q Design	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 with Max-Q Design) vs NVENC 7th Gen (GeForce RTX 3060). Decoder: NVDEC (4th Gen) vs NVDEC 5th Gen. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265,VP9 (GeForce RTX 2060 with Max-Q Design) vs AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060).

Feature	GeForce RTX 2060 with Max-Q Design	GeForce RTX 3060
Encoder	NVENC (Turing)	NVENC 7th Gen
Decoder	NVDEC (4th Gen)	NVDEC 5th Gen
Codecs	H.264,H.265,VP9	AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 2060 with Max-Q Design draws 65W versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 170W — a 89.4% difference. The GeForce RTX 2060 with Max-Q Design is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (GeForce RTX 2060 with Max-Q Design) vs 550W (GeForce RTX 3060). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs 8-pin. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 75.

Feature	GeForce RTX 2060 with Max-Q Design	GeForce RTX 3060
TDP	65W-62%	170W
Recommended PSU	500W-9%	550W
Power Connector	PCIe-powered	8-pin
Length	—	242mm
Height	—	112mm
Slots	1-50%	2
Temp (Load)	75°C	75
Perf/Watt	148.8+49%	100.0

💰

Value Analysis

The newer card here is GeForce RTX 3060 (2021 vs 2020).

Feature	GeForce RTX 2060 with Max-Q Design	GeForce RTX 3060
MSRP	—	$329
Codename	TU106	GA106
Release	January 29 2020	January 12 2021
Ranking	#268	#114

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