GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPU vs GeForce RTX 3060

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPU

2024Core: 1042 MHzBoost: 1470 MHz
RTX family
·······
VS
NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3060

2021Core: 1320 MHzBoost: 1777 MHz
RTX family
·······

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPU vs GeForce RTX 3060 Performance Spectrum

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.

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPU 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 3050 6GB Laptop GPU 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 3050 6GB Laptop GPU

2024

Why buy it

  • Draws 70W instead of 170W, a 100W 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.
  • Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (72 vs 112), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 51.7 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

GeForce RTX 3060

2021

Why buy it

  • 67.5% 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).
  • 55.6% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (112 vs 72).
  • 100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 6 GB).

Trade-offs

  • 142.9% higher power demand at 170W vs 70W.

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 67.5% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 67.6% in PassMark G3D (16,995 vs 10,143), so the answer here is pretty clean.
Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?
GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: a newer 2024 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 3060 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 3060 is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and some 1440p headroom, GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPU has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPU vs GeForce RTX 3060 Technical Specifications

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

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPU

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPU is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in February 2 2024. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1042 MHz to 1470 MHz. It has 2304 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 70W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 18 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 10,143 points. Launch price was $179.

NVIDIA

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 3050 6GB Laptop GPU scores 10,143 versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 16,995 — the GeForce RTX 3060 leads by 67.6%. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPU is built on Ampere while the GeForce RTX 3060 uses Ampere, both on a 8 nm process. Shader units: 2,304 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPU) vs 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060). Raw compute: 6.774 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPU) vs 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060). Boost clocks: 1470 MHz vs 1777 MHz. Ray tracing: 18 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPU) vs 28 (GeForce RTX 3060) with 72 Tensor cores vs 112.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPUGeForce RTX 3060
G3D Mark Score
10,143
16,995+68%
Architecture
Ampere
Ampere
Process Node
8 nm
8 nm
Shading Units
2304
3584+56%
Compute (TFLOPS)
6.774 TFLOPS
12.74 TFLOPS+88%
Boost Clock
1470 MHz
1777 MHz+21%
ROPs
32
48+50%
TMUs
72
112+56%
L1 Cache
2.3 MB
3.5 MB+52%
L2 Cache
2 MB
3 MB+50%
Ray Tracing Cores
18
28+56%
Tensor Cores
72
112+56%

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPUGeForce 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 3050 6GB Laptop GPU 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: 168 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPU) vs 360 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060) — a 114.3% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3060. Memory bus width is 96-bit on the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPU and 192-bit on the GeForce RTX 3060. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPU) vs 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060) — the GeForce RTX 3060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPUGeForce RTX 3060
VRAM Capacity
6 GB
12 GB+100%
Memory Type
GDDR6
GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth
168 GB/s
360 GB/s+114%
Bus Width
96-bit
192-bit+100%
L2 Cache
2 MB
3 MB+50%
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12.2 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPU) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPUGeForce RTX 3060
DirectX
12.2+2%
12 Ultimate
Vulkan
1.3
1.3
OpenGL
4.6
4.6
Max Displays
4
4
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: 7th Gen NVENC (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPU) vs NVENC 7th Gen (GeForce RTX 3060). Decoder: 5th Gen NVDEC vs NVDEC 5th Gen. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (Decode) (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPU) vs AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPUGeForce RTX 3060
Encoder
7th Gen NVENC
NVENC 7th Gen
Decoder
5th Gen NVDEC
NVDEC 5th Gen
Codecs
MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (Decode)
AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPU draws 70W versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 170W — a 83.3% difference. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPU is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPU) vs 550W (GeForce RTX 3060). Power connectors: Mobile vs 8-pin. Card length: 0mm vs 242mm, occupying 0 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 80°C vs 75.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPUGeForce RTX 3060
TDP
70W-59%
170W
Recommended PSU
500W-9%
550W
Power Connector
Mobile
8-pin
Length
0mm
242mm
Height
0mm
112mm
Slots
0-100%
2
Temp (Load)
80°C
75-6%
Perf/Watt
144.9+45%
100.0
💰

Value Analysis

The newer card here is GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPU (2024 vs 2021).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPUGeForce RTX 3060
MSRP
$329
Codename
GA107
GA106
Release
February 2 2024
January 12 2021
Ranking
#252
#114

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.