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 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 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

2024

Why buy it

✅Costs $160 less on MSRP ($169 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
✅Delivers 23.1% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 63.6 vs 51.7 G3D/$ ($169 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
✅Draws 70W instead of 170W, a 100W reduction.
✅Measures 160mm instead of 242mm, a 82mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

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.

GeForce RTX 3060

2021

Why buy it

✅66.0% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅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

❌
94.7% HIGHER MSRP
$329 MSRPvs$169 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 51.7 vs 63.6 G3D/$ ($329 MSRP vs $169 MSRP).
❌142.9% higher power demand at 170W vs 70W.
❌51.2% longer card at 242mm vs 160mm.

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 66.0% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 58.1% in PassMark G3D (16,995 vs 10,749), so the answer here is pretty clean.

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

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB 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 3050 6GB makes the most sense to buy today. It is $160 cheaper on MSRP at $169 vs $329, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 23.1% (63.6 vs 51.7), which is enough to swing the recommendation its way. GeForce RTX 3060 still makes more sense if max raw gaming performance matters more than value.

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB vs GeForce RTX 3060 Technical Specifications

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

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB 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: 10,749 points. Launch price was $179.

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 scores 10,749 versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 16,995 — the GeForce RTX 3060 leads by 58.1%. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB 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) vs 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060). Raw compute: 6.774 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060). Boost clocks: 1470 MHz vs 1777 MHz. Ray tracing: 18 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 28 (GeForce RTX 3060) with 72 Tensor cores vs 112.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	GeForce RTX 3060
G3D Mark Score	10,749	16,995+58%
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)

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	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 3050 6GB 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) 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 and 192-bit on the GeForce RTX 3060. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060) — the GeForce RTX 3060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	GeForce 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 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) 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 3050 6GB	GeForce RTX 3060
DirectX	12 Ultimate	12 Ultimate
Vulkan	1.3	1.3
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

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

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	GeForce RTX 3060
Encoder	NVENC (5th Gen)	NVENC 7th Gen
Decoder	NVDEC (7th Gen)	NVDEC 5th Gen
Codecs	H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode Only)	AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB draws 70W versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 170W — a 83.3% difference. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 300W (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 550W (GeForce RTX 3060). Power connectors: None vs 8-pin. Card length: 160mm vs 242mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 75.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	GeForce RTX 3060
TDP	70W-59%	170W
Recommended PSU	300W-45%	550W
Power Connector	None	8-pin
Length	160mm	242mm
Height	—	112mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	75°C	75
Perf/Watt	153.6+54%	100.0

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB came in at $169, while the GeForce RTX 3060 launched at $329. On MSRP, GeForce RTX 3050 6GB was 48.6% cheaper ($160 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 63.6 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 51.7 (GeForce RTX 3060) — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB offers 23% better value. The newer card here is GeForce RTX 3050 6GB (2024 vs 2021).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	GeForce RTX 3060
MSRP	$169-49%	$329
Performance per Dollar	63.6+23%	51.7
Codename	GA107	GA106
Release	February 2 2024	January 12 2021
Ranking	#252	#114

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