GeForce RTX 3060 12GB vs GeForce GTX 1060

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (G3D Mark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar GeForce RTX 3060 12GB

#37

GeForce RTX 3070 Ti

MSRP: $599|Avg: $330

113%

#38

Arc A750

MSRP: $289|Avg: $229

112%

#39

Radeon RX 6800

MSRP: $579|Avg: $370

110%

#40

GeForce RTX 3060 8GB

MSRP: $329|Avg: $280

110%

#41

Radeon RX 6750 XT

MSRP: $549|Avg: $320

109%

#42

GeForce RTX 4070 Ti

MSRP: $799|Avg: $590

108%

#43

GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB

MSRP: $429|Avg: $429

108%

#44

GeForce RTX 5070

MSRP: $549|Avg: $550

106%

#45

Radeon RX 7600 XT

MSRP: $329|Avg: $330

106%

#46

GeForce RTX 2050

MSRP: $150|Avg: $150

104%

#47

GeForce RTX 3080

MSRP: $699|Avg: $400

104%

#48

GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 16GB

MSRP: $499|Avg: $449

103%

#49

Radeon RX 7900 GRE

MSRP: $549|Avg: $540

102%

#50

GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER

MSRP: $599|Avg: $600

101%

#51

Radeon RX 7800 XT

MSRP: $499|Avg: $490

100%

#52

GeForce RTX 3060 12GB

MSRP: $329|Avg: $340

100%

#53

GeForce RTX 4070

MSRP: $599|Avg: $550

99%

#54

Radeon RX 7650 GRE

MSRP: $279|Avg: $380

99%

#55

GeForce RTX 2060 12GB

MSRP: $470|Avg: $120

98%

#56

Arc A770

MSRP: $349|Avg: $280

96%

#57

Radeon RX 6750 GRE 12GB

MSRP: $289|Avg: $423

96%

#58

Arc A380

MSRP: $149|Avg: $119

94%

#59

Radeon RX 9070

MSRP: $549|Avg: $550

94%

#60

Radeon RX 7900 XT

MSRP: $899|Avg: $630

93%

#61

GeForce RTX 4080

MSRP: $1199|Avg: $800

83%

#62

Arc A310

MSRP: $100|Avg: $100

82%

#63

GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER

MSRP: $799|Avg: $800

81%

#64

Radeon RX 9070 XT

MSRP: $599|Avg: $700

78%

#65

GeForce RTX 5070 Ti

MSRP: $749|Avg: $850

78%

#66

Radeon RX 6900 XT

MSRP: $999|Avg: $385

77%

#67

GeForce GTX 1630

MSRP: $150|Avg: $90

75%

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Comparison

About G3D Mark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

⚠️ Generational Difference

The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is significantly newer (2022 vs 2016). The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The GeForce GTX 1060 lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.

🚀 Performance Leadership

The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 66.7% higher G3D Mark score and 100% more VRAM (12 GB vs 6 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTX 1060.

Insight	GeForce RTX 3060 12GB	GeForce GTX 1060
Performance	✅Leading raw performance (+66.7%)	❌Lower raw frame rates (-66.7%)
Longevity	🔮Strong Longevity (Ampere (2020−2025) / 8nm)	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2016 / Pascal (2016−2021))
Ecosystem	✨ DLSS 2 Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	🎮 High Capacity (12 GB)	❌ Less VRAM capacity
Efficiency	Normal Efficiency	💡 Excellent Perf/Watt
Case Fit	📏 Compact / SFF Friendly	📏 Compact / SFF Friendly

💎 Value Proposition

The GeForce GTX 1060 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $60 versus $340 for the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB, it costs 82% less. While it maintains lower overall performance, this results in a 239.9% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	GeForce RTX 3060 12GB	GeForce GTX 1060
Cost Efficiency	❌Lower cost efficiency	✅Better overall value (+239.9%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($340)	✅More affordable ($60)

Performance Check

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 7800X3D 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 3060 12GB Benchmark Check

GeForce GTX 1060 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3060 12GB and GeForce GTX 1060

GeForce RTX 3060 12GB

The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 11 2022. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1260 MHz to 1710 MHz. It has 8960 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 350W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 70 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 16,777 points. Launch price was $799.

GeForce GTX 1060

The GeForce GTX 1060 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 27 2016. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 1607 MHz to 1733 MHz. It has 2560 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 180W. Manufactured using 16 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 10,064 points. Launch price was $599.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB scores 16,777 versus the GeForce GTX 1060's 10,064 — the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB leads by 66.7%. The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is built on Ampere while the GeForce GTX 1060 uses Pascal, both on 8 nm vs 16 nm. Shader units: 8,960 (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) vs 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1060). Raw compute: 30.64 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) vs 8.873 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060). Boost clocks: 1710 MHz vs 1733 MHz.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 12GB	GeForce GTX 1060
G3D Mark Score	16,777+67%	10,064
Architecture	Ampere	Pascal
Process Node	8 nm	16 nm
Shading Units	8960+250%	2560
Compute (TFLOPS)	30.64 TFLOPS+245%	8.873 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	1710 MHz	1733 MHz+1%
ROPs	96+50%	64
TMUs	280+75%	160
L1 Cache	8.8 MB+836%	0.94 MB
L2 Cache	6 MB+200%	2 MB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB gives access to NVIDIA DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), widely regarding as the superior upscaling method for image quality. The GeForce GTX 1060 relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 12GB	GeForce GTX 1060
Upscaling Tech	DLSS 2.0	FSR 2.1 (Compatible)
Frame Generation	FSR 3 / AFMF (Compatible)	FSR 3 (Compatible)
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	Standard

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB comes with 12 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 1060 has 6 GB. The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 360 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) vs 192 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1060) — a 87.5% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB. Bus width: 192-bit vs 192-bit. L2 Cache: 6 MB (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) vs 2 MB (GeForce GTX 1060) — the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 12GB	GeForce GTX 1060
VRAM Capacity	12 GB+100%	6 GB
Memory Type	GDDR6	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	360 GB/s+88%	192 GB/s
Bus Width	192-bit	192-bit
L2 Cache	6 MB+200%	2 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) vs 12 (GeForce GTX 1060). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.5. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 12GB	GeForce GTX 1060
DirectX	12 Ultimate	12
Vulkan	1.3	1.3
OpenGL	4.6+2%	4.5
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) vs NVENC (Pascal) (GeForce GTX 1060). Decoder: NVDEC 5th gen vs NVDEC (Pascal). Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce GTX 1060).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 12GB	GeForce GTX 1060
Encoder	NVENC 7th gen	NVENC (Pascal)
Decoder	NVDEC 5th gen	NVDEC (Pascal)
Codecs	H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1	H.264,H.265/HEVC

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB draws 350W versus the GeForce GTX 1060's 180W — a 64.2% difference. The GeForce GTX 1060 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) vs 400W (GeForce GTX 1060). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 6-pin. Card length: 242mm vs 173mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 12GB	GeForce GTX 1060
TDP	350W	180W-49%
Recommended PSU	550W	400W-27%
Power Connector	8-pin	6-pin
Length	242mm	173mm
Height	112mm	111mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	75°C	—
Perf/Watt	47.9	55.9+17%

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB launched at $329 MSRP and currently averages $340, while the GeForce GTX 1060 launched at $249 and now averages $60. The GeForce GTX 1060 costs 82.4% less ($280 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 49.3 (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) vs 167.7 (GeForce GTX 1060) — the GeForce GTX 1060 offers 240.2% better value. The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is the newer GPU (2022 vs 2016).