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 3060 12GB vs GeForce RTX 3070 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 3060 12GB vs GeForce RTX 3070: 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 3060 12GB

2022

Why buy it

✅Costs $170 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).
✅Delivers 14.8% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 51.0 vs 44.4 G3D/$ ($329 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).
✅52.2% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (280 vs 184).
✅50% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 8 GB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3070 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌59.1% higher power demand at 350W vs 220W.

GeForce RTX 3070

2020

Why buy it

✅0.2% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Draws 220W instead of 350W, a 130W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌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 (184 vs 280), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.
❌
51.7% HIGHER MSRP
$499 MSRPvs$329 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 44.4 vs 51.0 G3D/$ ($499 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

GeForce RTX 3070 is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 0.2% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 32.2% in PassMark G3D (22,172 vs 16,777), so the answer here is pretty clean.

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

GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 12 GB vs 8 GB of VRAM, 70 vs 46 ray-tracing units, and a newer 2022 generation instead of 2020. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

GeForce RTX 3060 12GB makes the most sense to buy today. It is $170 cheaper on MSRP at $329 vs $499, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 14.8% (51.0 vs 44.4), which is enough to swing the recommendation its way. GeForce RTX 3070 still makes more sense if max raw gaming performance matters more than value.

GeForce RTX 3060 12GB vs GeForce RTX 3070 Technical Specifications

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

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 3070

The GeForce RTX 3070 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in September 1 2020. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1500 MHz to 1725 MHz. It has 5888 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 220W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 46 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 22,172 points. Launch price was $499.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB scores 16,777 versus the GeForce RTX 3070's 22,172 — the GeForce RTX 3070 leads by 32.2%. The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is built on Ampere while the GeForce RTX 3070 uses Ampere, both on a 8 nm process. Shader units: 8,960 (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) vs 5,888 (GeForce RTX 3070). Raw compute: 30.64 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) vs 20.31 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3070). Boost clocks: 1710 MHz vs 1725 MHz. Ray tracing: 70 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) vs 46 (GeForce RTX 3070) with 280 Tensor cores vs 184.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 12GB	GeForce RTX 3070
G3D Mark Score	16,777	22,172+32%
Architecture	Ampere	Ampere
Process Node	8 nm	8 nm
Shading Units	8960+52%	5888
Compute (TFLOPS)	30.64 TFLOPS+51%	20.31 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	1710 MHz	1725 MHz
ROPs	96	96
TMUs	280+52%	184
L1 Cache	8.8 MB+52%	5.8 MB
L2 Cache	6 MB+50%	4 MB
Ray Tracing Cores	70+52%	46
Tensor Cores	280+52%	184

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 12GB	GeForce RTX 3070
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 3060 12GB has 12 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3070 carries 8 GB. GeForce RTX 3060 12GB gives you 50% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bandwidth: 360 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) vs 448 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3070) — a 24.4% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3070. Memory bus width is 192-bit on the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB and 256-bit on the GeForce RTX 3070. L2 Cache: 6 MB (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) vs 4 MB (GeForce RTX 3070) — the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 12GB	GeForce RTX 3070
VRAM Capacity	12 GB+50%	8 GB
Memory Type	GDDR6	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	360 GB/s	448 GB/s+24%
Bus Width	192-bit	256-bit+33%
L2 Cache	6 MB+50%	4 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3070). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.4. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 12GB	GeForce RTX 3070
DirectX	12 Ultimate	12 Ultimate
Vulkan	1.3	1.4+8%
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 3070). Decoder: NVDEC 5th gen vs NVDEC 5th gen. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3070).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 12GB	GeForce RTX 3070
Encoder	NVENC 7th gen	NVENC 7th gen
Decoder	NVDEC 5th gen	NVDEC 5th gen
Codecs	H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1	H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB draws 350W versus the GeForce RTX 3070's 220W — a 45.6% difference. The GeForce RTX 3070 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) vs 650W (GeForce RTX 3070). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 242mm vs 242mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 75°C.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 12GB	GeForce RTX 3070
TDP	350W	220W-37%
Recommended PSU	550W-15%	650W
Power Connector	8-pin	8-pin
Length	242mm	242mm
Height	112mm	112mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	75°C	75°C
Perf/Watt	47.9	100.8+110%

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB came in at $329, while the GeForce RTX 3070 launched at $499. On MSRP, GeForce RTX 3060 12GB was 34.1% cheaper ($170 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 51.0 (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) vs 44.4 (GeForce RTX 3070) — the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB offers 14.9% better value. The newer card here is GeForce RTX 3060 12GB (2022 vs 2020).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 12GB	GeForce RTX 3070
MSRP	$329-34%	$499
Performance per Dollar	51.0+15%	44.4
Codename	GA102	GA104
Release	January 11 2022	September 1 2020
Ranking	#38	#63

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