GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU vs GRID K160Q

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU

2022Core: 1320 MHzBoost: 1777 MHz

Popular choices:

VS

GRID K160Q

2013Core: 745 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

  • +1997.1% higher PassMark G3D performance.
  • Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
  • 1100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (6 GB vs 512 MB).
  • More future proof: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.
  • Draws 170W instead of 225W, a 55W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 5.0 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $125 MSRP).

GRID K160Q

2013

Why buy it

  • Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 5.0 vs 0 G3D/$ ($125 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark G3D performance (628 vs 13,170).
  • Less VRAM, with 512 MB vs 6 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
  • Very weak future-proofing: 2013-era hardware with 512 MB of VRAM is already obsolete for modern gaming and is hard to recommend today.
  • 32.4% higher power demand at 225W vs 170W.

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU better than GRID K160Q?
Yes. GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is clearly the better overall GPU here. You are also looking at 13,170 vs 628 in G3D Mark. On top of that, GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is a 2022 card with DLSS Super Resolution, while GRID K160Q is a 2013 model from an older generation with no meaningful modern upscaling stack. So this is not really a tight same-tier comparison. It is more a modern card against an older, weaker alternative.
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 2013, 1997.1% more raw performance headroom, more VRAM at 6 GB instead of 512 MB, and better upscaling support with DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack. That leaves it with more room for heavier textures, tougher ray tracing loads, and higher-end 1440p or 4K gaming over the next few years.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper card?
GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is the smarter buy by a wide margin. GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is priced in an unclear MSRP range at an unclear MSRP versus $125 MSRP, and you are getting 1997.1% higher G3D Mark. GRID K160Q really only makes sense now as a very cheap stopgap or a used-market placeholder.
Is GRID K160Q still worth buying for gaming in 2026?
No, not for a fresh gaming build. GRID K160Q is 2013 hardware with 512 MB of VRAM, 628 in G3D Mark, and no meaningful modern upscaling stack. That is simply too far behind to be an easy modern recommendation.

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 GPUGRID K160Q
1080p
low109 FPS28 FPS
medium98 FPS23 FPS
high84 FPS19 FPS
ultra70 FPS14 FPS
1440p
low95 FPS21 FPS
medium83 FPS17 FPS
high70 FPS14 FPS
ultra59 FPS11 FPS
4K
low48 FPS14 FPS
medium43 FPS11 FPS
high30 FPS9 FPS
ultra26 FPS7 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUGRID K160Q
1080p
low357 FPS28 FPS
medium310 FPS23 FPS
high248 FPS19 FPS
ultra195 FPS14 FPS
1440p
low221 FPS21 FPS
medium190 FPS17 FPS
high154 FPS14 FPS
ultra123 FPS11 FPS
4K
low108 FPS14 FPS
medium89 FPS11 FPS
high72 FPS9 FPS
ultra55 FPS7 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUGRID K160Q
1080p
low593 FPS28 FPS
medium474 FPS23 FPS
high395 FPS19 FPS
ultra296 FPS14 FPS
1440p
low444 FPS21 FPS
medium356 FPS17 FPS
high296 FPS14 FPS
ultra222 FPS11 FPS
4K
low296 FPS14 FPS
medium237 FPS11 FPS
high198 FPS9 FPS
ultra148 FPS7 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUGRID K160Q
1080p
low565 FPS28 FPS
medium474 FPS23 FPS
high395 FPS19 FPS
ultra296 FPS14 FPS
1440p
low444 FPS21 FPS
medium356 FPS17 FPS
high296 FPS14 FPS
ultra222 FPS11 FPS
4K
low296 FPS14 FPS
medium237 FPS11 FPS
high198 FPS9 FPS
ultra148 FPS7 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU and GRID K160Q

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

GRID K160Q

The GRID K160Q is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in June 28 2013. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock speed is 745 MHz. It has 1536 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 225W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 628 points. Launch price was $937.

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU scores 13,170 versus the GRID K160Q's 628 — the GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU leads by 1997.1%. The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is built on Ampere while the GRID K160Q uses Kepler, both on 8 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs 1,536 (GRID K160Q). Raw compute: 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs 2.289 TFLOPS (GRID K160Q).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUGRID K160Q
G3D Mark Score
13,170+1997%
628
Architecture
Ampere
Kepler
Process Node
8 nm
28 nm
Shading Units
3584+133%
1536
Compute (TFLOPS)
12.74 TFLOPS+457%
2.289 TFLOPS
ROPs
48+50%
32
TMUs
112
128+14%
L1 Cache
3.5 MB+2592%
0.13 MB
L2 Cache
3 MB+500%
0.5 MB

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU gives access to NVIDIA DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), widely regarding as the superior upscaling method for image quality. The GRID K160Q relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUGRID K160Q
Upscaling Tech
DLSS 2 Super Resolution
Upscaling support
Frame Generation
Not Supported
Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction
No
No
Low Latency
NVIDIA Reflex
Standard
💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU comes with 6 GB of VRAM, while the GRID K160Q has 512 MB. The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU offers 1100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 192-bit vs 64-bit. L2 Cache: 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs 0.5 MB (GRID K160Q) — the GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUGRID K160Q
VRAM Capacity
6 GB+1100%
0.5 GB
Memory Type
GDDR6
GDDR5
Bus Width
192-bit+200%
64-bit
L2 Cache
3 MB+500%
0.5 MB
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU draws 170W versus the GRID K160Q's 225W — a 27.8% difference. The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs 350W (GRID K160Q). Power connectors: Mobile vs PCIe-powered.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUGRID K160Q
TDP
170W-24%
225W
Recommended PSU
500W
350W-30%
Power Connector
Mobile
PCIe-powered
Temp (Load)
75°C
Perf/Watt
77.5+2668%
2.8
💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is the newer GPU (2022 vs 2013).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUGRID K160Q
MSRP
$125
Codename
GA106
GK104
Release
October 12 2022
June 28 2013
Ranking
#147
#589