GeForce RTX 3060 12GB vs GeForce RTX 3060
GeForce RTX 3060 12GB
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GeForce RTX 3060
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Performance Spectrum - GPU
About G3D Mark
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.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar GeForce RTX 3060 12GB
Performance Per Dollar GeForce RTX 3060
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce RTX 3060 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1.3% higher G3D Mark score. This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-1.3%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+1.3%) |
| Longevity | 🔮Strong Longevity (Ampere (2020−2025) / 8nm) | 🔮Strong Longevity (Ampere / 8nm) |
| Ecosystem | ✨ DLSS 2 Upscaling | ✨ DLSS 2 Upscaling |
| VRAM | 🎮 High Capacity (12 GB) | 🎮 High Capacity (12 GB) |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce RTX 3060 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $289 versus $340 for the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB, it costs 15% less. While it maintains competitive performance, this results in a 19.2% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+19.2%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($340) | ✅More affordable ($289) |
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3060 12GB and GeForce RTX 3060
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 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
The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB scores 16,777 and the GeForce RTX 3060 reaches 16,995 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.3% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is built on Ampere while the GeForce RTX 3060 uses Ampere, both on a 8 nm process. Shader units: 8,960 (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) vs 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060). Raw compute: 30.64 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) vs 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060). Boost clocks: 1710 MHz vs 1777 MHz. Ray tracing: 70 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) vs 28 (GeForce RTX 3060) with 280 Tensor cores vs 112.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 16,777 | 16,995+1% |
| Architecture | Ampere | Ampere |
| Process Node | 8 nm | 8 nm |
| Shading Units | 8960+150% | 3584 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 30.64 TFLOPS+141% | 12.74 TFLOPS |
| Boost Clock | 1710 MHz | 1777 MHz+4% |
| ROPs | 96+100% | 48 |
| TMUs | 280+150% | 112 |
| L1 Cache | 8.8 MB+151% | 3.5 MB |
| L2 Cache | 6 MB+100% | 3 MB |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 70+150% | 28 |
| Tensor Cores | 280+150% | 112 |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | DLSS 2.0 | DLSS 2.0 |
| Frame Generation | FSR 3 / AFMF (Compatible) | FSR 3 / AFMF (Compatible) |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | NVIDIA Reflex | NVIDIA Reflex |
Video Memory (VRAM)
Both cards feature 12 GB of GDDR6. Bus width: 192-bit vs 192-bit. L2 Cache: 6 MB (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) vs 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060) — the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 12 GB | 12 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 360 GB/s | 360 GB/s |
| Bus Width | 192-bit | 192-bit |
| L2 Cache | 6 MB+100% | 3 MB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) 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 3060 12GB | 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 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) vs NVENC 7th Gen (GeForce RTX 3060). Decoder: NVDEC 5th gen vs NVDEC 5th Gen. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) vs AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC 7th gen | NVENC 7th Gen |
| Decoder | NVDEC 5th gen | NVDEC 5th Gen |
| Codecs | H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 | AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB draws 350W versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 170W — a 69.2% difference. The GeForce RTX 3060 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) 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: 75°C vs 75.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 350W | 170W-51% |
| Recommended PSU | 550W | 550W |
| Power Connector | 8-pin | 8-pin |
| Length | 242mm | 242mm |
| Height | 112mm | 112mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 75°C | 75 |
| Perf/Watt | 47.9 | 100.0+109% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB launched at $329 MSRP and currently averages $340, while the GeForce RTX 3060 launched at $329 and now averages $289. The GeForce RTX 3060 costs 15% less ($51 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 49.3 (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) vs 58.8 (GeForce RTX 3060) — the GeForce RTX 3060 offers 19.3% better value. The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is the newer GPU (2022 vs 2021).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $329 | $329 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $340 | $289-15% |
| Performance per Dollar | 49.3 | 58.8+19% |
| Codename | GA102 | GA106 |
| Release | January 11 2022 | January 12 2021 |
| Ranking | #38 | #114 |
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