GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU vs GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU

2022Core: 1320 MHzBoost: 1777 MHz

Popular choices:

VS
NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU

2021Core: 1575 MHzBoost: 1770 MHz

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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, raw graphics performance, VRAM, feature set, power efficiency, pricing context, and long-term value so you can see which GPU actually makes more sense.

GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU

2022

Why buy it

  • Draws 170W instead of 290W, a 120W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark G3D performance (13,170 vs 15,196).
  • Less VRAM, with 6 GB vs 8 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (112 vs 192), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.

GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU

2021

Why buy it

  • +15.4% higher PassMark G3D performance.
  • 71.4% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (192 vs 112).
  • 33.3% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (8 GB vs 6 GB).

Trade-offs

  • 70.6% higher power demand at 290W vs 170W.

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU better than GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU?
Yes. GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU is the better GPU overall here. You are getting 15.4% higher PassMark G3D performance, 192 vs 112 Tensor cores, and 8 GB vs 6 GB of VRAM. It also comes from 2021 instead of 2022, which helps its case as the more complete modern gaming card.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer 2022 generation instead of 2021. That makes it the safer long-run choice for modern games.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper card?
GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU is priced in an unclear MSRP range at an unclear MSRP versus an unclear MSRP, and you are getting 15.4% higher G3D Mark. G3D-per-dollar is basically tied between them. If you are comfortable paying the premium for the stronger gaming result, GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU is the one to buy. If staying closer to budget matters more, GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU still makes more sense on price alone and remains capable enough for modern gaming.
When does GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU make more sense than GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU?
Yes. GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is still an excellent gaming GPU in 2026: it is very strong for 1080p, good for 1440p, and more limited at 4K. It makes more sense if your priority is newer architecture, lower power draw (170W vs 290W), future-proofing, and staying closer to an unclear MSRP more than squeezing out the extra headroom of GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU. The trade-off is that GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU currently gives you 15.4% higher G3D Mark. G3D-per-dollar is basically tied between them.

Games Benchmarks

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 9800X3D 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.

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

PresetGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUGeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU
1080p
low109 FPS200 FPS
medium98 FPS182 FPS
high84 FPS158 FPS
ultra70 FPS121 FPS
1440p
low95 FPS169 FPS
medium83 FPS137 FPS
high70 FPS119 FPS
ultra59 FPS96 FPS
4K
low48 FPS87 FPS
medium43 FPS74 FPS
high30 FPS58 FPS
ultra26 FPS50 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUGeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU
1080p
low357 FPS526 FPS
medium310 FPS449 FPS
high248 FPS370 FPS
ultra195 FPS319 FPS
1440p
low221 FPS308 FPS
medium190 FPS251 FPS
high154 FPS220 FPS
ultra123 FPS187 FPS
4K
low108 FPS142 FPS
medium89 FPS117 FPS
high72 FPS101 FPS
ultra55 FPS80 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUGeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU
1080p
low593 FPS684 FPS
medium474 FPS547 FPS
high395 FPS456 FPS
ultra296 FPS342 FPS
1440p
low444 FPS513 FPS
medium356 FPS410 FPS
high296 FPS342 FPS
ultra222 FPS256 FPS
4K
low296 FPS342 FPS
medium237 FPS274 FPS
high198 FPS228 FPS
ultra148 FPS171 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUGeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU
1080p
low565 FPS654 FPS
medium474 FPS547 FPS
high395 FPS456 FPS
ultra296 FPS342 FPS
1440p
low444 FPS513 FPS
medium356 FPS410 FPS
high296 FPS342 FPS
ultra222 FPS256 FPS
4K
low296 FPS314 FPS
medium237 FPS274 FPS
high198 FPS228 FPS
ultra148 FPS171 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU and GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU

The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in October 12 2022. 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: 13,170 points.

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU

The GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 31 2021. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1575 MHz to 1770 MHz. It has 6144 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 290W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 48 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 15,196 points. Launch price was $599.

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU scores 13,170 versus the GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU's 15,196 — the GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU leads by 15.4%. The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is built on Ampere while the GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU uses Ampere, both on a 8 nm process. Shader units: 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs 6,144 (GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU). Raw compute: 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs 21.75 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU). Boost clocks: 1777 MHz vs 1770 MHz. Ray tracing: 28 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs 48 (GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU) with 112 Tensor cores vs 192.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUGeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU
G3D Mark Score
13,170
15,196+15%
Architecture
Ampere
Ampere
Process Node
8 nm
8 nm
Shading Units
3584
6144+71%
Compute (TFLOPS)
12.74 TFLOPS
21.75 TFLOPS+71%
Boost Clock
1777 MHz
1770 MHz
ROPs
48
96+100%
TMUs
112
192+71%
L1 Cache
3.5 MB
6 MB+71%
L2 Cache
3 MB
4 MB+33%
Ray Tracing Cores
28
48+71%
Tensor Cores
112
192+71%

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUGeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU
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 Laptop GPU comes with 6 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU has 8 GB. The GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU offers 33.3% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 336 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs 448 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU) — a 33.3% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU. Bus width: 192-bit vs 256-bit. L2 Cache: 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs 4 MB (GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU) — the GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUGeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU
VRAM Capacity
6 GB
8 GB+33%
Memory Type
GDDR6
GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth
336 GB/s
448 GB/s+33%
Bus Width
192-bit
256-bit+33%
L2 Cache
3 MB
4 MB+33%
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs 12.2 (GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU). Vulkan: 1.4 vs 1.2. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 1.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUGeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU
DirectX
12 Ultimate
12.2+2%
Vulkan
1.4+17%
1.2
OpenGL
4.6
4.6
Max Displays
4+300%
1
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (7th Gen) (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs 7th Gen NVENC (GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU). Decoder: NVDEC (5th Gen) vs 5th Gen NVDEC. Supported codecs: H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode),VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (Decode) (GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUGeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU
Encoder
NVENC (7th Gen)
7th Gen NVENC
Decoder
NVDEC (5th Gen)
5th Gen NVDEC
Codecs
H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode),VP9
MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (Decode)
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU draws 170W versus the GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU's 290W — a 52.2% difference. The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs 650W (GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU). Power connectors: Mobile vs Mobile. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 80°C.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUGeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU
TDP
170W-41%
290W
Recommended PSU
500W-23%
650W
Power Connector
Mobile
Mobile
Length
0mm
Height
0mm
Slots
0
Temp (Load)
75°C-6%
80°C
Perf/Watt
77.5+48%
52.4