GeForce RTX 3060 12GB vs RTX 2000 Ada Generation
GeForce RTX 3060 12GB
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RTX 2000 Ada Generation
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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 RTX 2000 Ada Generation
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The RTX 2000 Ada Generation is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 2.2% higher G3D Mark score and 33.3% more VRAM (16 GB vs 12 GB). 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 | RTX 2000 Ada Generation |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-2.2%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+2.2%) |
| Longevity | 🔮Strong Longevity (Ampere (2020−2025) / 8nm) | 🏆Elite Architecture (Ada Lovelace / 5nm) |
| Ecosystem | ✨ DLSS 2 Upscaling | ✨ DLSS 2 Upscaling |
| VRAM | 🎮 High Capacity (12 GB) | 🎮 High Capacity (16 GB) |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $340 versus $750 for the RTX 2000 Ada Generation, it costs 55% less. While it maintains competitive performance, this results in a 115.8% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | RTX 2000 Ada Generation |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+115.8%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($340) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($750) |
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 RTX 2000 Ada Generation
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.
RTX 2000 Ada Generation
The RTX 2000 Ada Generation is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in February 12 2024. It features the Ada Lovelace architecture. The core clock ranges from 1620 MHz to 2130 MHz. It has 2816 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 70W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 22 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 17,147 points. Launch price was $649.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB scores 16,777 and the RTX 2000 Ada Generation reaches 17,147 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2.2% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is built on Ampere while the RTX 2000 Ada Generation uses Ada Lovelace, both on 8 nm vs 5 nm. Shader units: 8,960 (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) vs 2,816 (RTX 2000 Ada Generation). Raw compute: 30.64 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) vs 12 TFLOPS (RTX 2000 Ada Generation). Boost clocks: 1710 MHz vs 2130 MHz. Ray tracing: 70 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) vs 22 (RTX 2000 Ada Generation) with 280 Tensor cores vs 88.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | RTX 2000 Ada Generation |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 16,777 | 17,147+2% |
| Architecture | Ampere | Ada Lovelace |
| Process Node | 8 nm | 5 nm |
| Shading Units | 8960+218% | 2816 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 30.64 TFLOPS+155% | 12 TFLOPS |
| Boost Clock | 1710 MHz | 2130 MHz+25% |
| ROPs | 96+100% | 48 |
| TMUs | 280+218% | 88 |
| L1 Cache | 8.8 MB+214% | 2.8 MB |
| L2 Cache | 6 MB | 12 MB+100% |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 70+218% | 22 |
| Tensor Cores | 280+218% | 88 |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | RTX 2000 Ada Generation |
|---|---|---|
| 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)
The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB comes with 12 GB of VRAM, while the RTX 2000 Ada Generation has 16 GB. The RTX 2000 Ada Generation offers 33.3% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 360 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) vs 256 GB/s (RTX 2000 Ada Generation) — a 40.6% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB. Bus width: 192-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 6 MB (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) vs 12 MB (RTX 2000 Ada Generation) — the RTX 2000 Ada Generation has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | RTX 2000 Ada Generation |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 12 GB | 16 GB+33% |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 360 GB/s+41% | 256 GB/s |
| Bus Width | 192-bit+50% | 128-bit |
| L2 Cache | 6 MB | 12 MB+100% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) vs 12.2 (RTX 2000 Ada Generation). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | RTX 2000 Ada Generation |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 Ultimate | 12.2+2% |
| 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 8th Gen NVENC (RTX 2000 Ada Generation). Decoder: NVDEC 5th gen vs 5th Gen NVDEC. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (RTX 2000 Ada Generation).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | RTX 2000 Ada Generation |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC 7th gen | 8th Gen NVENC |
| Decoder | NVDEC 5th gen | 5th Gen NVDEC |
| Codecs | H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 | MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB draws 350W versus the RTX 2000 Ada Generation's 70W — a 133.3% difference. The RTX 2000 Ada Generation is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) vs 650W (RTX 2000 Ada Generation). Power connectors: 8-pin vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 242mm vs 167mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 75°C.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | RTX 2000 Ada Generation |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 350W | 70W-80% |
| Recommended PSU | 550W-15% | 650W |
| Power Connector | 8-pin | PCIe-powered |
| Length | 242mm | 167mm |
| Height | 112mm | 68mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 75°C | 75°C |
| Perf/Watt | 47.9 | 245.0+411% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB launched at $329 MSRP and currently averages $340, while the RTX 2000 Ada Generation launched at $625 and now averages $750. The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB costs 54.7% less ($410 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 49.3 (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) vs 22.9 (RTX 2000 Ada Generation) — the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB offers 115.3% better value. The RTX 2000 Ada Generation is the newer GPU (2024 vs 2022).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | RTX 2000 Ada Generation |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $329-47% | $625 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $340-55% | $750 |
| Performance per Dollar | 49.3+115% | 22.9 |
| Codename | GA102 | AD107 |
| Release | January 11 2022 | February 12 2024 |
| Ranking | #38 | #107 |
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