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 GeForce3 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 GeForce3: 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

✅13004.0% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
✅9423.8% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (6 GB vs 65 MB).
✅Better long-term bet: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 0.0 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $499 MSRP).
❌415.2% higher power demand at 170W vs 33W.

GeForce3

2015

Why buy it

✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 0.0 vs 0 G3D/$ ($499 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
✅Draws 33W instead of 170W, a 137W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 65 MB vs 6 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
❌2015 hardware with 65 MB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 13004.0% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 263300% in PassMark G3D (13,170 vs 5), 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: 6 GB vs 65 MB of VRAM, the newer upscaling stack, DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack, a 8nm process instead of 28nm, and 28 vs 0 ray-tracing units. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

GeForce3 makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and some 1440p, GeForce3 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 GeForce3 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.

GeForce3

The GeForce3 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 13 2015. It features the Maxwell architecture. The core clock ranges from 928 MHz to 941 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 33W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5 points.

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Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU scores 13,170 versus the GeForce3's 5 — the GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU leads by 263300%. The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is built on Ampere while the GeForce3 uses Maxwell, both on 8 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs 384 (GeForce3). Raw compute: 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs 0.7227 TFLOPS (GeForce3). Boost clocks: 1777 MHz vs 941 MHz.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU	GeForce3
G3D Mark Score	13,170+263300%	5
Architecture	Ampere	Maxwell
Process Node	8 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	3584+833%	384
Compute (TFLOPS)	12.74 TFLOPS+1663%	0.7227 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	1777 MHz+89%	941 MHz
ROPs	48+500%	8
TMUs	112+367%	24
L1 Cache	3.5 MB+1742%	0.19 MB
L2 Cache	3 MB+200%	1 MB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce3 supports the newer Upscaling support, whereas the GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is capped at DLSS 2 Super Resolution.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU	GeForce3
Upscaling Tech	DLSS 2 Super Resolution	Upscaling support
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 GeForce3 carries 65 MB. GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU gives you 9423.8% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bus width is 192-bit on the GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU and 64-bit on the GeForce3. L2 Cache: 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs 1 MB (GeForce3) — the GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU	GeForce3
VRAM Capacity	6 GB+9424%	0.063 GB
Memory Type	GDDR6	GDDR5
Bus Width	192-bit+200%	64-bit
L2 Cache	3 MB+200%	1 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs 8.1 (GeForce3). Vulkan: 1.4 vs N/A. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 1.3. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 2.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU	GeForce3
DirectX	12 Ultimate+48%	8.1
Vulkan	1.4	N/A
OpenGL	4.6+254%	1.3
Max Displays	4+100%	2

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (7th Gen) (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs None (GeForce3). Decoder: NVDEC (5th Gen) vs None. Supported codecs: H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode),VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs MPEG-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce3).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU	GeForce3
Encoder	NVENC (7th Gen)	None
Decoder	NVDEC (5th Gen)	None
Codecs	H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode),VP9	MPEG-1,MPEG-2

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU draws 170W versus the GeForce3's 33W — a 135% difference. The GeForce3 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs 350W (GeForce3). Power connectors: Mobile vs PCIe-powered. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 85.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU	GeForce3
TDP	170W	33W-81%
Recommended PSU	500W	350W-30%
Power Connector	Mobile	PCIe-powered
Length	—	165mm
Height	—	100mm
Slots	—	1
Temp (Load)	75°C-12%	85
Perf/Watt	77.5+38650%	0.2

💰

Value Analysis

The newer card here is GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU (2022 vs 2015).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU	GeForce3
MSRP	—	$499
Codename	GA106	GM108
Release	October 12 2022	March 13 2015
Ranking	#147	#810

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