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 OEM 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 OEM 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 OEM

2022

Why buy it

✅Costs $80 less on MSRP ($249 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
✅Draws 130W instead of 170W, a 40W reduction.
✅Measures 235mm instead of 242mm, a 7mm 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 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

✅34.4% 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 34.4% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 42.9% in PassMark G3D (16,995 vs 11,892), 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 8 GB of VRAM and 28 vs 20 ray-tracing units. 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 to buy today. It is $80 more expensive on MSRP at $329 vs $249, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 8.2% (51.7 vs 47.8), so the value case lines up with the gaming result.

GeForce RTX 3050 OEM vs GeForce RTX 3060 Technical Specifications

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

GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 4 2022. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1515 MHz to 1755 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: 11,892 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 3050 OEM scores 11,892 versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 16,995 — the GeForce RTX 3060 leads by 42.9%. The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is built on Ampere while the GeForce RTX 3060 uses Ampere, both on a 8 nm process. Shader units: 2,560 (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM) vs 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060). Raw compute: 8.986 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM) vs 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060). Boost clocks: 1755 MHz vs 1777 MHz. Ray tracing: 20 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM) vs 28 (GeForce RTX 3060) with 80 Tensor cores vs 112.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM	GeForce RTX 3060
G3D Mark Score	11,892	16,995+43%
Architecture	Ampere	Ampere
Process Node	8 nm	8 nm
Shading Units	2560	3584+40%
Compute (TFLOPS)	8.986 TFLOPS	12.74 TFLOPS+42%
Boost Clock	1755 MHz	1777 MHz+1%
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 OEM	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 OEM 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 OEM) 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 OEM and 192-bit on the GeForce RTX 3060. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM) vs 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060) — the GeForce RTX 3060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM	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: 12.2 (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM) 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 OEM	GeForce 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: 8th Gen NVENC (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM) 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 OEM) vs AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM	GeForce RTX 3060
Encoder	8th 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 OEM draws 130W versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 170W — a 26.7% difference. The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 450W (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM) vs 550W (GeForce RTX 3060). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 235mm vs 242mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 75.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM	GeForce RTX 3060
TDP	130W-24%	170W
Recommended PSU	450W-18%	550W
Power Connector	8-pin	8-pin
Length	235mm	242mm
Height	124mm	112mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	75°C	75
Perf/Watt	91.5	100.0+9%

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM came in at $249, while the GeForce RTX 3060 launched at $329. On MSRP, GeForce RTX 3050 OEM was 24.3% cheaper ($80 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 47.8 (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM) vs 51.7 (GeForce RTX 3060) — the GeForce RTX 3060 offers 8.2% better value. The newer card here is GeForce RTX 3050 OEM (2022 vs 2021).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM	GeForce RTX 3060
MSRP	$249-24%	$329
Performance per Dollar	47.8	51.7+8%
Codename	GA106	GA106
Release	January 4 2022	January 12 2021
Ranking	#224	#114

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