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 8GB 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 8GB 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 8GB

2022

Why buy it

✅Costs $80 less on MSRP ($249 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
✅Draws 130W instead of 170W, a 40W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3060 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 8 GB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (80 vs 112), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.

GeForce RTX 3060

2021

Why buy it

✅32.5% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅40% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (112 vs 80).
✅50% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 8 GB).

Trade-offs

❌30.8% higher power demand at 170W vs 130W.

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 32.5% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 35.6% in PassMark G3D (16,995 vs 12,535), so the answer here is pretty clean.

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

GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: a newer 2022 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 to buy today. It is $80 more expensive on MSRP at $329 vs $249, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 2.6% (51.7 vs 50.3), so the value case lines up with the gaming result. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and lighter 1440p, GeForce RTX 3060 is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and lighter 1440p headroom, GeForce RTX 3050 8GB has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce RTX 3050 8GB vs GeForce RTX 3060 Technical Specifications

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

GeForce RTX 3050 8GB

The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 4 2022. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1552 MHz to 1777 MHz. It has 2560 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 130W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 20 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 12,535 points. Launch price was $249.

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 8GB scores 12,535 versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 16,995 — the GeForce RTX 3060 leads by 35.6%. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is built on Ampere while the GeForce RTX 3060 uses Ampere, both on a 8 nm process. Shader units: 2,560 (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060). Raw compute: 9.098 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060). Boost clocks: 1777 MHz vs 1777 MHz. Ray tracing: 20 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 28 (GeForce RTX 3060) with 80 Tensor cores vs 112.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 8GB	GeForce RTX 3060
G3D Mark Score	12,535	16,995+36%
Architecture	Ampere	Ampere
Process Node	8 nm	8 nm
Shading Units	2560	3584+40%
Compute (TFLOPS)	9.098 TFLOPS	12.74 TFLOPS+40%
Boost Clock	1777 MHz	1777 MHz
ROPs	32	48+50%
TMUs	80	112+40%
L1 Cache	2.5 MB	3.5 MB+40%
L2 Cache	2 MB	3 MB+50%
Ray Tracing Cores	20	28+40%
Tensor Cores	80	112+40%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 8GB	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 8GB has 8 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3060 carries 12 GB. GeForce RTX 3060 gives you 50% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bandwidth: 224 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 360 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060) — a 60.7% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3060. Memory bus width is 128-bit on the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB and 192-bit on the GeForce RTX 3060. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060) — the GeForce RTX 3060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 8GB	GeForce RTX 3060
VRAM Capacity	8 GB	12 GB+50%
Memory Type	GDDR6	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	224 GB/s	360 GB/s+61%
Bus Width	128-bit	192-bit+50%
L2 Cache	2 MB	3 MB+50%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060). Vulkan: 1.4 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 8GB	GeForce RTX 3060
DirectX	12 Ultimate	12 Ultimate
Vulkan	1.4+8%	1.3
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs NVENC 7th Gen (GeForce RTX 3060). Decoder: NVDEC 5th gen vs NVDEC 5th Gen. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 8GB	GeForce RTX 3060
Encoder	NVENC 7th gen	NVENC 7th Gen
Decoder	NVDEC 5th gen	NVDEC 5th Gen
Codecs	H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9	AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB draws 130W versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 170W — a 26.7% difference. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 450W (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 550W (GeForce RTX 3060). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 242mm vs 242mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 66°C vs 75.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 8GB	GeForce RTX 3060
TDP	130W-24%	170W
Recommended PSU	450W-18%	550W
Power Connector	8-pin	8-pin
Length	242mm	242mm
Height	112mm	112mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	66°C-12%	75
Perf/Watt	96.4	100.0+4%

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB came in at $249, while the GeForce RTX 3060 launched at $329. On MSRP, GeForce RTX 3050 8GB was 24.3% cheaper ($80 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 50.3 (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 51.7 (GeForce RTX 3060) — the GeForce RTX 3060 offers 2.8% better value. The newer card here is GeForce RTX 3050 8GB (2022 vs 2021).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 8GB	GeForce RTX 3060
MSRP	$249-24%	$329
Performance per Dollar	50.3	51.7+3%
Codename	GA106	GA106
Release	January 4 2022	January 12 2021
Ranking	#211	#114

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