GeForce RTX 3060 12GB vs GeForce RTX 4060 Ti
GeForce RTX 3060 12GB
Popular choices:
GeForce RTX 4060 Ti
Popular choices:
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 4060 Ti
Why is GeForce RTX 4060 Ti better than GeForce RTX 3060 12GB?
The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB and RTX 4060 Ti represent the jump to NVIDIA's modern mid-range architecture. The RTX 4060 Ti is significantly faster, offering 30-40% better performance in raw rasterization and adding the game-changing DLSS 3 Frame Generation. It is also remarkably more power-efficient, drawing much less wattage under load.
The biggest technical controversy is the VRAM: the older RTX 3060 features 12GB, while the standard 4060 Ti has only 8GB. In extremely memory-heavy games, the 3060 can sometimes offer a smoother experience at high settings. However, for almost all use cases, the RTX 4060 Ti is the definitive winner for its massive speed advantage and superior feature set. Only choose the 3060 if you specifically need the extra VRAM for professional rendering or have a very strict budget.
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce RTX 4060 Ti is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 35% higher G3D Mark score. However, the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | GeForce RTX 4060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-35%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+35%) |
| Longevity | 🔮Strong Longevity (Ampere (2020−2025) / 8nm) | 🏆Elite Architecture (Ada Lovelace (2022−2024) / 5nm) |
| Ecosystem | ✨ DLSS 2 Upscaling | ✨ DLSS 3/4 + Frame Gen Support |
| VRAM | 🎮 High Capacity (12 GB) | 🎮 High Capacity (8 GB) |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce RTX 4060 Ti offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Although it costs $380 (vs $340), its significant performance lead justifies the premium, offering 20.8% better value per dollar than the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | GeForce RTX 4060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+20.8%) |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($340) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($380) |
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 4060 Ti
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 4060 Ti
The GeForce RTX 4060 Ti is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 18 2023. It features the Ada Lovelace architecture. The core clock ranges from 2310 MHz to 2535 MHz. It has 4352 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 160W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 34 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 22,651 points. Launch price was $399.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB scores 16,777 versus the GeForce RTX 4060 Ti's 22,651 — the GeForce RTX 4060 Ti leads by 35%. The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is built on Ampere while the GeForce RTX 4060 Ti uses Ada Lovelace, both on 8 nm vs 5 nm. Shader units: 8,960 (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) vs 4,352 (GeForce RTX 4060 Ti). Raw compute: 30.64 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) vs 22.06 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 4060 Ti). Boost clocks: 1710 MHz vs 2535 MHz. Ray tracing: 70 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) vs 34 (GeForce RTX 4060 Ti) with 280 Tensor cores vs 136.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | GeForce RTX 4060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 16,777 | 22,651+35% |
| Architecture | Ampere | Ada Lovelace |
| Process Node | 8 nm | 5 nm |
| Shading Units | 8960+106% | 4352 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 30.64 TFLOPS+39% | 22.06 TFLOPS |
| Boost Clock | 1710 MHz | 2535 MHz+48% |
| ROPs | 96+100% | 48 |
| TMUs | 280+106% | 136 |
| L1 Cache | 8.8 MB+105% | 4.3 MB |
| L2 Cache | 6 MB | 32 MB+433% |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 70+106% | 34 |
| Tensor Cores | 280+106% | 136 |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
A critical advantage for the GeForce RTX 4060 Ti is support for DLSS 3 Frame Gen. This allows it to generate entire frames using AI/Algorithms, essentially doubling the frame rate in CPU-bound scenarios or heavy ray-tracing titles. The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB lacks specific hardware/driver support for this native frame generation tier.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | GeForce RTX 4060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | DLSS 2.0 | DLSS 3.5 |
| Frame Generation | FSR 3 / AFMF (Compatible) | DLSS 3.0 (Native) |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | Yes (DLSS 3.5) |
| Low Latency | NVIDIA Reflex | NVIDIA Reflex |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB comes with 12 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 4060 Ti has 8 GB. The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB offers 50% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 360 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) vs 288 GB/s (GeForce RTX 4060 Ti) — a 25% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB. Bus width: 192-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 6 MB (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) vs 32 MB (GeForce RTX 4060 Ti) — the GeForce RTX 4060 Ti has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | GeForce RTX 4060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 12 GB+50% | 8 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 360 GB/s+25% | 288 GB/s |
| Bus Width | 192-bit+50% | 128-bit |
| L2 Cache | 6 MB | 32 MB+433% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) vs 12.2 (GeForce RTX 4060 Ti). 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 4060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| 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 (GeForce RTX 4060 Ti). 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 (GeForce RTX 4060 Ti).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | GeForce RTX 4060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| 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 GeForce RTX 4060 Ti's 160W — a 74.5% difference. The GeForce RTX 4060 Ti is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) vs 550W (GeForce RTX 4060 Ti). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 242mm vs 240mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 70°C.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | GeForce RTX 4060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 350W | 160W-54% |
| Recommended PSU | 550W | 550W |
| Power Connector | 8-pin | 8-pin |
| Length | 242mm | 240mm |
| Height | 112mm | 111mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 75°C | 70°C-7% |
| Perf/Watt | 47.9 | 141.6+196% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB launched at $329 MSRP and currently averages $340, while the GeForce RTX 4060 Ti launched at $399 and now averages $380. The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB costs 10.5% less ($40 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 49.3 (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) vs 59.6 (GeForce RTX 4060 Ti) — the GeForce RTX 4060 Ti offers 20.9% better value. The GeForce RTX 4060 Ti is the newer GPU (2023 vs 2022).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | GeForce RTX 4060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $329-18% | $399 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $340-11% | $380 |
| Performance per Dollar | 49.3 | 59.6+21% |
| Codename | GA102 | AD106 |
| Release | January 11 2022 | May 18 2023 |
| Ranking | #38 | #59 |
Top Performing GPUs
The most powerful gpus ranked by G3D Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar GPU comparisons based on GeForce RTX 3060 12GB and GeForce RTX 4060 Ti
