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 Laptop GPU vs GeForce RTX 3090 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 Laptop GPU vs GeForce RTX 3090: 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 Laptop GPU

2022

Why buy it

✅Draws 170W instead of 350W, a 180W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3090 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 6 GB vs 24 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (112 vs 328), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 17.7 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $1,499 MSRP).

GeForce RTX 3090

2020

Why buy it

✅83.2% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 17.7 vs 0 G3D/$ ($1,499 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
✅192.9% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (328 vs 112).
✅300% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (24 GB vs 6 GB).

Trade-offs

❌105.9% higher power demand at 350W vs 170W.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

GeForce RTX 3090 is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 83.2% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 101.9% in PassMark G3D (26,594 vs 13,170), so the answer here is pretty clean.

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

GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: a newer 2022 generation instead of 2020. That makes it the less risky pick as game demands keep moving.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

GeForce RTX 3090 makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and strong 1440p, GeForce RTX 3090 is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and lighter 1440p headroom, GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU vs GeForce RTX 3090 Technical Specifications

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

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.

GeForce RTX 3090

The GeForce RTX 3090 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in September 1 2020. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1395 MHz to 1695 MHz. It has 10496 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 350W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 82 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 26,594 points. Launch price was $1,499.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU scores 13,170 versus the GeForce RTX 3090's 26,594 — the GeForce RTX 3090 leads by 101.9%. The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is built on Ampere while the GeForce RTX 3090 uses Ampere, both on a 8 nm process. Shader units: 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs 10,496 (GeForce RTX 3090). Raw compute: 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs 35.58 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3090). Boost clocks: 1777 MHz vs 1695 MHz. Ray tracing: 28 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs 82 (GeForce RTX 3090) with 112 Tensor cores vs 328.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU	GeForce RTX 3090
G3D Mark Score	13,170	26,594+102%
Architecture	Ampere	Ampere
Process Node	8 nm	8 nm
Shading Units	3584	10496+193%
Compute (TFLOPS)	12.74 TFLOPS	35.58 TFLOPS+179%
Boost Clock	1777 MHz+5%	1695 MHz
ROPs	48	112+133%
TMUs	112	328+193%
L1 Cache	3.5 MB	10.3 MB+194%
L2 Cache	3 MB	6 MB+100%
Ray Tracing Cores	28	82+193%
Tensor Cores	112	328+193%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU	GeForce RTX 3090
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 has 6 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3090 carries 24 GB. GeForce RTX 3090 gives you 300% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bandwidth: 336 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs 936 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3090) — a 178.6% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3090. Memory bus width is 192-bit on the GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU and 384-bit on the GeForce RTX 3090. L2 Cache: 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs 6 MB (GeForce RTX 3090) — the GeForce RTX 3090 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU	GeForce RTX 3090
VRAM Capacity	6 GB	24 GB+300%
Memory Type	GDDR6	GDDR6X
Memory Bandwidth	336 GB/s	936 GB/s+179%
Bus Width	192-bit	384-bit+100%
L2 Cache	3 MB	6 MB+100%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3090). Vulkan: 1.4 vs 1.4. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU	GeForce RTX 3090
DirectX	12 Ultimate	12 Ultimate
Vulkan	1.4	1.4
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (7th Gen) (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3090). Decoder: NVDEC (5th Gen) vs NVDEC 5th gen. Supported codecs: H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode),VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 (GeForce RTX 3090).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU	GeForce RTX 3090
Encoder	NVENC (7th Gen)	NVENC 7th gen
Decoder	NVDEC (5th Gen)	NVDEC 5th gen
Codecs	H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode),VP9	H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU draws 170W versus the GeForce RTX 3090's 350W — a 69.2% difference. The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs 750W (GeForce RTX 3090). Power connectors: Mobile vs 2x 8-pin. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 85°C.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU	GeForce RTX 3090
TDP	170W-51%	350W
Recommended PSU	500W-33%	750W
Power Connector	Mobile	2x 8-pin
Length	—	312mm
Height	—	140mm
Slots	—	3
Temp (Load)	75°C-12%	85°C
Perf/Watt	77.5+2%	76.0

💰

Value Analysis

The newer card here is GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU (2022 vs 2020).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU	GeForce RTX 3090
MSRP	—	$1499
Codename	GA106	GA102
Release	October 12 2022	September 1 2020
Ranking	#147	#37

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