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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, raw graphics performance, VRAM, feature set, power efficiency, pricing context, and long-term value so you can see which GPU actually makes more sense.

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

2024

Why buy it

✅+271.7% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅Delivers 139.7% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 63.6 vs 26.5 G3D/$ ($169 MSRP vs $109 MSRP).
✅Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
✅500% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (6 GB vs 1 GB).
✅More future proof: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer clear downsides in this head-to-head, aside from the usual pricing and availability swings.

Radeon R7 260

2013

Why buy it

✅Costs $60 less on MSRP ($109 MSRP vs $169 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (2,892 vs 10,749).
❌Less VRAM, with 1 GB vs 6 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌No DLSS support; it relies on FSR Upscaling / FSR 4 (2025) instead.
❌Very weak future-proofing: 2013-era hardware with 1 GB of VRAM is already obsolete for modern gaming and is hard to recommend today.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 26.5 vs 63.6 G3D/$ ($109 MSRP vs $169 MSRP).

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

2024

Radeon R7 260

2013

Why buy it

✅+271.7% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅Delivers 139.7% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 63.6 vs 26.5 G3D/$ ($169 MSRP vs $109 MSRP).
✅Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
✅500% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (6 GB vs 1 GB).
✅More future proof: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Why buy it

✅Costs $60 less on MSRP ($109 MSRP vs $169 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Fewer clear downsides in this head-to-head, aside from the usual pricing and availability swings.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (2,892 vs 10,749).
❌Less VRAM, with 1 GB vs 6 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌No DLSS support; it relies on FSR Upscaling / FSR 4 (2025) instead.
❌Very weak future-proofing: 2013-era hardware with 1 GB of VRAM is already obsolete for modern gaming and is hard to recommend today.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 26.5 vs 63.6 G3D/$ ($109 MSRP vs $169 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 3050 6GB better than Radeon R7 260?

Yes. GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is clearly the better overall GPU here. You are also looking at 10,749 vs 2,892 in G3D Mark. On top of that, GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is a 2024 card with DLSS Super Resolution, while Radeon R7 260 is a 2013 model from an older generation with FSR upscaling. So this is not really a tight same-tier comparison. It is more a modern card against an older, weaker alternative.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer 2024 generation instead of 2013, 271.7% more raw performance headroom, more VRAM at 6 GB instead of 1 GB, and the stronger feature stack with DLSS Super Resolution instead of FSR upscaling. That leaves it with more room for heavier textures, tougher ray tracing loads, and higher-end 1440p or 4K gaming over the next few years.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper card?

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is the smarter buy by a wide margin. GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is about 55.0% more expensive on MSRP at $169 MSRP versus $109 MSRP, and you are getting 271.7% higher G3D Mark. Radeon R7 260 really only makes sense now as a very cheap stopgap or a used-market placeholder.

Is Radeon R7 260 still worth buying for gaming in 2026?

No, not for a fresh gaming build. Radeon R7 260 is 2013 hardware with 1 GB of VRAM, 2,892 in G3D Mark, and FSR upscaling. That is simply too far behind to be an easy modern recommendation.

Games Benchmarks

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 9800X3D 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.

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Benchmark Check

Radeon R7 260 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	Radeon R7 260
1080p
low	85 FPS	36 FPS
medium	72 FPS	22 FPS
high	60 FPS	15 FPS
ultra	40 FPS	8 FPS
1440p
low	74 FPS	24 FPS
medium	64 FPS	14 FPS
high	47 FPS	7 FPS
ultra	30 FPS	4 FPS
4K
low	27 FPS	9 FPS
medium	25 FPS	6 FPS
high	17 FPS	3 FPS
ultra	15 FPS	2 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Open Radeon R7 260

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	Radeon R7 260
1080p
low	174 FPS	53 FPS
medium	149 FPS	28 FPS
high	118 FPS	20 FPS
ultra	87 FPS	14 FPS
1440p
low	129 FPS	24 FPS
medium	106 FPS	13 FPS
high	83 FPS	8 FPS
ultra	62 FPS	7 FPS
4K
low	74 FPS	7 FPS
medium	62 FPS	4 FPS
high	48 FPS	3 FPS
ultra	34 FPS	2 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Open Radeon R7 260

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	Radeon R7 260
1080p
low	484 FPS	130 FPS
medium	387 FPS	104 FPS
high	322 FPS	87 FPS
ultra	242 FPS	65 FPS
1440p
low	363 FPS	98 FPS
medium	290 FPS	78 FPS
high	242 FPS	65 FPS
ultra	181 FPS	49 FPS
4K
low	242 FPS	65 FPS
medium	193 FPS	52 FPS
high	161 FPS	43 FPS
ultra	121 FPS	33 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Open Radeon R7 260

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	Radeon R7 260
1080p
low	243 FPS	73 FPS
medium	210 FPS	61 FPS
high	171 FPS	46 FPS
ultra	144 FPS	38 FPS
1440p
low	185 FPS	43 FPS
medium	166 FPS	36 FPS
high	131 FPS	30 FPS
ultra	109 FPS	24 FPS
4K
low	104 FPS	29 FPS
medium	87 FPS	23 FPS
high	69 FPS	18 FPS
ultra	55 FPS	13 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Open Radeon R7 260

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3050 6GB and Radeon R7 260

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.

Radeon R7 260

The Radeon R7 260 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in December 17 2013. It features the GCN 2.0 architecture. The boost clock speed is 1100 MHz. It has 768 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 95W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 2,892 points. Launch price was $109.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB scores 10,749 versus the Radeon R7 260's 2,892 — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB leads by 271.7%. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is built on Ampere while the Radeon R7 260 uses GCN 2.0, both on 8 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 2,304 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 768 (Radeon R7 260). Raw compute: 6.774 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 1.536 TFLOPS (Radeon R7 260). Boost clocks: 1470 MHz vs 1100 MHz.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	Radeon R7 260
G3D Mark Score	10,749+272%	2,892
Architecture	Ampere	GCN 2.0
Process Node	8 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	2304+200%	768
Compute (TFLOPS)	6.774 TFLOPS+341%	1.536 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	1470 MHz+34%	1100 MHz
ROPs	32+100%	16
TMUs	72+50%	48
L1 Cache	2.3 MB+1111%	0.19 MB
L2 Cache	2 MB+700%	0.25 MB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB gives access to NVIDIA DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), widely regarding as the superior upscaling method for image quality. The Radeon R7 260 relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	Radeon R7 260
Upscaling Tech	DLSS 2 Super Resolution	FSR Upscaling / FSR 4
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	AMD Anti-Lag

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB comes with 6 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon R7 260 has 1 GB. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB offers 500% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 168 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 96 GB/s (Radeon R7 260) — a 75% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB. Bus width: 96-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 0.25 MB (Radeon R7 260) — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	Radeon R7 260
VRAM Capacity	6 GB+500%	1 GB
Memory Type	GDDR6	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	168 GB/s+75%	96 GB/s
Bus Width	96-bit	128-bit+33%
L2 Cache	2 MB+700%	0.25 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 12 (12_0) (Radeon R7 260). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.2. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 3.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	Radeon R7 260
DirectX	12 Ultimate	12 (12_0)
Vulkan	1.3+8%	1.2
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4+33%	3

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (5th Gen) (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs VCE 2.0 (Radeon R7 260). Decoder: NVDEC (7th Gen) vs UVD 4.2. Supported codecs: H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode Only) (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MVC (Radeon R7 260).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	Radeon R7 260
Encoder	NVENC (5th Gen)	VCE 2.0
Decoder	NVDEC (7th Gen)	UVD 4.2
Codecs	H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode Only)	H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MVC

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB draws 70W versus the Radeon R7 260's 95W — a 30.3% difference. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 300W (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 400W (Radeon R7 260). Power connectors: None vs 1x 6-pin. Card length: 160mm vs 170mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 80.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	Radeon R7 260
TDP	70W-26%	95W
Recommended PSU	300W-25%	400W
Power Connector	None	1x 6-pin
Length	160mm	170mm
Height	—	112mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	75°C-6%	80
Perf/Watt	153.6+405%	30.4

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB launched at $169 MSRP, while the Radeon R7 260 launched at $109. The Radeon R7 260 costs 35.5% less ($60 savings) on MSRP. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 63.6 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 26.5 (Radeon R7 260) — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB offers 140% better value. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is the newer GPU (2024 vs 2013).